These measuring instructions assume that you are measuring for replacement draperies on a stage system that currently has curtain tracks in place. If you are in need of an entire stage system, please call our sales staff at 800-437-6488 for a professional consultation.
Proscenium Curtains – Measure the width of the entire track from end to end. Add an additional 24” to the overall track length to allow for the curtain to overlap in the center. This becomes your final width measurement.
Tip: Often, a proscenium curtain is wider than the length of a standard 30’ tape measure. An easy way to measure a proscenium curtain is to measure the width of either the right or left panel only and double the measurement; this will give you the final width measurement. This may also result in a more accurate measurement because the overlap in the center may vary from curtain to curtain. If you decide not to climb on a ladder to measure the top of the curtain, be sure to let it hang naturally and take a measurement from the floor. Do not spread the curtain flat to measure the bottom of the curtain. This will result in an incorrect measurement.
To find the length of the curtain, take a measurement from the middle of the chain that hangs from the track carriers to the floor. Subtract 1” for clearance off the floor.
On occasion a proscenium curtain will have a valance as well. To measure the valance, simply measure the entire width of the valance and the length, these are your final dimensions.
 Cyclorama Curtains – to find the width of a cyclorama curtain, measure across the top of the existing curtain where the curtain hangs from its grommets, this will give you the most accurate measurement. If you decide not to climb on a ladder to measure the top of the curtain, be sure to let it hang naturally and take a measurement from the floor. Do not spread the curtain flat to measure the the bottom of the curtain. This will result in an incorrect measurement.
To determine the length, measure from the middle of the chain hanging from the carriers to the floor and subtract 1”. This is the finished length.
If you are measuring for a replacement drapery that does not currently exist but has a track in place, you will need to measure the length of the curtain as mentioned above. Most cyclorama panels have an average width of either 54” or 72”. Without existing curtains you will need to determine how many cyclorama panels are needed to provide complete coverage for the stage. To do this you will need to measure the length of the cyclorama track in inches and divide by either 54 or 72 depending on the width of the panel you desire and add one panel, this should give you the number of panels you will need to order.
To measure cyclorama valances, measure across the width and length of the existing valances. These are your final dimensions. If the valances do not exist but the pipes or mounting surfaces do, measure across the mounting surface from where the track intersects the valance to the end or where the track intersects at the other end. This is the width. The length of the valance is determined by the line of sight from the audience. The purpose of the valance is to cover the stage lights and tracks from the view of the audience. On many stages, a 30” to 36” length is enough to accomplish this. To verify the length, you may want to have an assistant hang a tape measure from the mounting surface of the valance and let it hang down 30”. Walk mid-way back into the audience area and see if this will cover the track to the point where the next valance will hang. If not, adjust the length accordingly.
Tip: An easy way to measure the width of cyclorama valances from the stage floor is to pull a cyclorama curtain to the edge of the valance on either side and run a tape measure across the floor between the two curtains assuming the curtains are hanging straight down, this will give you your valance width. |
