Typical stage layout for curtains and track to achieve a fully dressed stage.

Main Curtain - Can be of various types. In addition to providing a decorative cover for the proscenium opening, the main curtain must be opaque enough to obscure the stage lighting and deaden the sound of scene changes.

Valance - If it is necessary to reduce the height of the proscenium opening to balance and satisfy the sight lines, a valance which matches the main curtain should be fitted.

Borders - These require careful planning to ensure complete masking of rigging, tracking systems and lighting configurations from audience view. The drop or height of borders will vary according to individual stage sight lines.

Intermediate Curtains - Used to divide the stage into sections. Used when a smaller stage area is desirable for more intimate performances.

Backdrop Curtain - Normally black in colour, giving the rear of stage complete masking from the audience. Cycloramas are often used in conjunction with the back drop curtain when a colour flood or neutral cloth is required in lieu of black masking curtains.

Leg Curtains - Placed down each side of stage to mask out the stage sides from audience view. They also provide unseen entrance and exits channels for performers from wing space to main stage.  

False / Adjustable Proscenium  - On occasions a teaser and a pair of tormentors may be used to reduce the proscenium size to suit a set. A teaser is border curtain usually hung directly upstage of the main curtain. Tormentors are vertical legs located on both sides of the proscenium behind the teaser. Teaser and tormentors can be supplied as curtains or as rigid flats if permanently installed on adjustable rigging.

SIGHT LINES

Sight lines depict width of leg curtains and drop or finished length of border and valance curtains required to fully conceal all roof rigging, tracking systems and lighting from audience view. Sight lines are as viewed from the auditorium, usually considered from eye level at the extremities of front row seating. Please observe the following diagrams as a reference to how curtains when properly constructed in sizes appropriate to sight line requirements totally mask of all unwanted areas from audience view .

1. Viewing angle    2. Main curtain    3. Valance    4. Borders    

5. Intermediate curtains    6. Backdrop / Cyclorama     7. Leg curtains