Types of Theatre Curtains - Video Demonstrations

Below are animated videos of how some types of theatre curtains function. The movement of a traveler, scrim, Austrian, guillotine, contour, brail, or tab (tableau) curtain is a large part of the excitement these curtains create. You can see these types of stage curtains as they appear in closed, open, and changing positions. Learn more about custom curtain production and request a custom curtain quote or curtain track quote at the following links:

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The traveler curtain (aka bi-parting or draw curtain) is one of the most popular types of stage curtain. The traveler is made of two panels, customarily in 50-100% fullness. The panels are hung on traveler tracks that overlap at the center. Drapery panels can be operated manually or motorized.

A wipe curtain (aka one-way draw) is similar to a traveler except it consists of just a single panel that is drawn across the entire width of the stage from either the far left or far right. 

We produce thousands of traveler curtains every year, as well as the curtain tracks that go along with them.

A scrim (or scrim curtain) is often used in live theatre to create a magical effect: the bleed-through. This is most effectively done with our sharkstooth scrim fabric. If the scrim is lit correctly, it can appear as a completely opaque painted backdrop. Then, as the lighting changes, the scrim will “dissolve,” revealing the scene behind, “bleeding through” the scrim. Continue the lighting change, and the scrim will disappear completely, as if by magic. 

Learn more about how lighting designers create this magical effect with this type of theatre curtain in our blog article, "How To Light A Scrim."

Austrian curtains open vertically via lift lines on seams like a brail or Venetian curtain. However, it is just as common to have static or “non-working” Austrian curtains used as decoration or a backdrop for an event.

These types of theatre curtains are shirred or pleated along the vertical seams, creating columns of swags in the curtain. That is typically 100% added vertical fullness. There is some horizontal fullness in Austrian drapes, but only 20-25% to create the dip in the swag.

As with the other lift line curtains—brail, Austrian, and contours—it is common to add spacers to the lift lines between the vertical guide rings, so that the drape gathers in a pleasing shape rather than a wad of fabric at the bottom of the curtain.

All lift curtains need a reasonable amount of vertical stacking space, especially Austrians, because they have built-in vertical fullness. Stacking requires about 20% of the full curtain height.

The guillotine curtain is among the types of theatre curtains common in proscenium theatres with a traditional fly house. It is most often sewn as a single panel, which allows decoration, such as a school logo, at the center. 

At the show’s opening, the curtain draws up behind the proscenium into the fly space without any vertical gathering or compression. As such, a good deal of fly space is needed to store the curtain out of the sight lines of the audience.

Venetian curtains are types of stage curtains that have horizontal fullness sewn into the fabric, like a typical pleated drape. The amount of added fullness determines the swag size at the bottom of the drape when it is pulled up by lift lines. Similar to Austrians, these types of theatre curtains are raised by a series of regularly spaced, vertical lift lines that run down the back of the curtain. 

As the curtain draws up, a series of swags forms at the bottom, and the curtain compresses vertically. Approximately 20% of the curtain height is needed for stacking space to hide the curtain in its fully opened position.

The Venetian contour is similar to a Venetian curtain, except each of the vertical lines that move the curtain up and down is controlled separately. The bottom of the curtain forms various patterns or swags, according to how the operator programs the curtain movement. 

The fullness that is added to a contour typically varies between lift lines. The swag between the lift lines of these types of theatre curtains is determined by the length of the bottom hem between those lines. Therefore, the more offset the opening is, the greater the fullness that is needed.

A brail curtain looks like a flat curtain when it’s in a closed position. However, the brail is rigged like an Austrian, with vertical lines that are regularly spaced across the back of the curtain. While a brail is raised in a similar fashion to an Austrian, the brail is flat, and the lift lines are often attached to a bottom pipe. 

When it's raised, the curtain gathers or "west coasts" at the bottom. If spacers are not used on the lift lines, very little fly space is needed to hide the curtain when it’s fully opened.

 

FAQs

What are the most common types of theatre curtains?

Some of the most common types of these curtains include traveler curtains, scrims, Austrian curtains, Venetian curtains, brail curtains, and tab curtains.

What is the difference between traveler and tab curtains?

Traveler curtains move horizontally across the stage using tracks, while tab curtains lift and gather into decorative swags as they open. Both are popular types of stage curtains used in theatres and live event spaces.

Can theatre curtains be motorized?

Yes. Many types of curtains can be operated manually or with motorized systems. Motorization is often used for larger curtains, complex productions, or installations that require precise and repeatable movement.

How do scrim curtains create visual effects?

Scrim curtains use lighting to create a reveal effect. When lit from the front at a sharp angle, the fabric can appear opaque. As the angled scrim lighting is gradually eliminated and the scene behind the scrim is gradually lit, the scrim becomes invisible and the scenery beyond the scrim magically appears. This creates a dramatic transition effect often used in live theatre.