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	WPI Technical Theatre Handbook: Draperies
	Draperies An important and occasionally ignored part of set design and construction is properly setting up the draperies (sometimes called soft goods). There are many types of draperies, each with a specific purpose. Figure 3.5 shows most types. Figure 3.5: The various types of draperies used in theatre. The cyclorama (cyc) is the drape that is used behind the set. It is usually made out of a medium-weight white or baby blue material. Special lights are usually aimed at the cyclorama to provide a variety of colorful backgrounds, which are often used as skies or horizons in productions. True cycloramas are U-shaped, and cover the left, right and upstage parts of the stage. At WPI, the proper U-shaped curtain tracks for cycloramas are not installed, so the cyclorama is usually flown flat. Legs are used to mask offstage areas from sight. They are flown at different heights and locations to conceal offstage space, equipment, etc. Borders are used to mask parts of the rigging system and to trim the sightlines such that only the set may be seen by the audience. Often there are several borders (occasionally called teasers), used for masking off other fly system battens from audience view. A traveler is a type of curtain that moves along a track. Often they are used as main curtains for stages and are configured such that one operating line moves curtains from each side of the stage simultaneously. Lastly, some theatres have valences, which are simply dressings used outside of travelers or other main curtains. However, WPI's Alden Hall does not have one of these draperies. Use of information in this document implies understanding and agreement with the copyright and terms of use. Specifically, no warranty is expressed or implied regarding the accuracy of the information contained within. YOU USE THIS INFORMATION AT YOUR OWN RISK. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. You must obtain permission from the author before using the contents of The Handbook for anything other than private use.	Table of Contents [Whole book in PDF 5.3MB] Contents Introduction Goals Sources Methods Conclusions Costumes Introduction Procurement Fabrics Color Patterns Fitting Rehearsal Clothing Design How to Begin Color Practicality Documents The Set Introduction Set Pieces Platforms Flats Stairs Rakes Other Structures Floor Coverings Construction Materials Tools Finishing Painting Types of Paint Mixing Paints Applying Paint Draperies Design How to Begin Documents Computer-Aided Design A Typical Set Construction at WPI Rigging Introduction Common Rigging Hardware Rope Wire Rope Thimbles, Wire Rope Clips, and Swages Shackles, Turnbuckles and Hooks Chain & Rapid Links Slings Fly Methods Non-Counterweighted Pulley Systems Counterweighted Fly Systems Lifts Chain Motors Flying Set Pieces Lighting Introduction Lighting Instruments Scoops Cyclorama Lights Parabolic Reflector Cans Fresnel Spotlights Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlights Automated Instruments Color Color Theory Primary, Secondary and Complementary Colors of Light Light Mixing Practical Use of Color Glass, Gelatine and Plastics Dichroic Color Filters Patterns Dimmers Dimmer History Cables and Connectors Lighting Boards Control Design Washes Specials Cyclorama Lighting Color Lighting Angle Simulating Exteriors Lighting Design Paperwork Shop Order Instrument Plots Focus Sheets Computer-Aided Lighting Design A Typical Lighting Hang at WPI Audio Introduction Input Microphones Converting Sound to Electricity Directionality Analog Tape Digital Audio Tape (DAT) Compact Disc (CD) Mini-Disc (MD) Digital Samplers Computer Sound Cards Mixing Boards Signal Processing Equipment Equalizers Compressors and Limiters Noise Gates Effects Processors Output Power Amplifiers Speakers Crossovers Cabling and Connectors Line-Level Speaker-Level Automation Design Creating and Obtaining Effects Editing and Processing Effects Designing the Sound System The Input Section Signal Processing The Output Section A Typical Audio Setup at WPI Power Introduction Basic Theory Power Feeds Power Distribution Boxes Power Protection Important Considerations Special Effects Introduction Animated Costuming Smoke and Fog Pyrotechnics Acknowledgements References List of Figures Index About this document ...

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