QUALITY STAGE CURTAINS
Who are we and what do we do?
Quality Stage Curtains is a family owned and operated business. We specialize in custom stage curtains and rigging. We cover Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Kentucky and will go anywhere else for a minimal fee. We work with schools, churches, civic centers, temples, theaters and anything else that needs to be covered in FR or IFR fabrics. We have a large variety of materials and custom dyes are free of charge if the stage requires a certain yardage. Ben Goodchild is the owner and handles all inspections, oversees all installations and designs problematic stages. Allen Goodchild is our go to for installations. Sabrina Goodchild is our General Manager, stage designer and sales force. Kathy Goodchild is our marketing specialist. ALL OF OUR MATERIALS AND TRACKS ARE MADE IN THE U.S.A.
FR vs. IFR
FR: The fabric has been treated with a flame retardant chemical, typically by emersion. The warranted period of effectiveness is guaranteed for one year, but it is likely to be effective for much longer, about 5 years. The fabric has been tested and complies with NFPA 701 small scale. The flame retardant process will be removed by washing.
IFR: The fabric has been manufactured using an inherently flame resistant fiber or durable flame retardant process. The fabric will remain flame resistant for the length of its service life. The fabric has been tested and complies with NFPA 701 small scale. The flame retardant process will not be removed by washing. All curtains are quoted in IFR unless requested otherwise.
How much does a stage cost?
Though every stage is unique, we get asked this question a lot. Typical costs for new stage curtains to be hung on existing, working, structurally sound tracking system: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: $3,000-$5,000 MIDDLE SCHOOL: $5,000-$7,000 HIGH SCHOOL: $8,000-$10,000 (depending on fabrics chosen)
Tracking systems typically run about $1,000 per track (depending on length and weight of the tracks) Installation and shipping costs are included in the quote.
Do you offer custom logos and letters?
Quality Stage Curtains uses Works of Art in Branson, MO for their letters and logos. Once we learn what our customers want on their valances that enhances their school spirit, we work one on one with WoA embroidery to give our customers the specialized logos they desire.
What is a quickquote?
Call for a quickquote form and we will be happy to offer you a "ballpark" price for your stage. You can also just send us an email with the dimensions and we can design a stage from scratch. If you would like Quality Stage Curtains to install your drapes we will need to have an on-site inspection for rigging and supports before ordering.
How do I measure for a quickquote?
The valance should be about 12" wider than the header opening and long enough to cover the first set of lights.
The main drape, if there is backstage stacking space, should be wide enough to stack almost the entire curtain offstage. If there is no backstage space, the track should go wall to wall. The top of the curtain does not need to be at the top of the valance. The floor clearance at the bottom of the curtain varies greatly from "puddling" to 2" off the floor.
The borders will run from side curtain to side curtain or leg to leg and hang down far enough to cover the lights or top of the track. Typically tied to a pole.
Sides and rears will run from front to back and around the back of the stage. Some sides are angled narrowing the upstage space. Some rears are a continuation of the sides on a curved track.
Legs and tormentors will range from 3-10' wide. The height is usually the same as the sides and rears.
Mid-stage Traveler will be about as wide as the main drape. This varies if the stage is using legs or sides. The height will be the same as the rears. The track should be covered by the border.
If you are replacing existing curtains and you are happy with the size, measure the height and width of the existing curtains. To get the height, measure from the top of the curtain to the floor and deduct the desired clearance off the floor. If there is no curtain to measure but you have a track in place, measure from the eyelet of the carrier to the floor and deduct the desired clearance. Keep in mind that you will need to deduct 1" for the S-hook. If there is trim chain on the carrier, measure from the bottom link of the trim chain to the floor and use that length. When installing, you can adjust the clearance by moving up or down on the trim chain.
The width of the curtain should be measured from one length of the track to the other end of the track, one side. Do not pull the curtain. Let it hang straight. When hanging flat curtains or using box pleats, you must be very accurate with your measuring. It would also help to know the number of carriers. If you are hanging dead hung curtains from a batten or pipe, measure from the bottom of the batten to the floor and deduct the desired clearance. The width is the length of the batten.
Stage Curtains 101
A stage will have several different curtains. Each curtain has a purpose and often, a different fabric.
The basic curtains are:
Valance - This is a short curtain, usually mounted immediately behind the header either tacked onto a board mounted to the wall just above the opening or tied onto a pole. The width of the valance is usually the width of the proscenium opening plus 12” for overlap to make sure there are not light leaks around the ends.
Main Curtain - This is a full length curtain, usually bi-parting, used to open and close at the beginnings and ends of performances. They should overlap a minimum of 12” in the center. When opened, they stack on the sides. The Valance and the Main Curtains are usually made of the same fabric.
Borders - These are short curtains, usually tied to poles in front of each set of lights or used to mask the track of the rear curtains. These curtains are usually made of a lighter weight fabric and seldom match the Valance and Main Curtain.
Sides - Some stages have side curtains running from the front to the back, or at an angle making the back of the stage narrower than the front.
Legs - Some stages, instead of sides, will have legs. A dead hung leg is a full length, narrow curtain tied to a stationary pipe. Some legs will be hung on a pipe on a rotodraper which rolls along a track. This allows the legs to travel on and off stage and rotate to “shrink” the stage for small scenes. Some legs are hung with S-hooks on track with carriers.
Mid-stage travelers - Some stages will have a bi-parting curtain in the mid-stage area used to assist in scene changes or to “shrink” the stage. This curtain is usually on a rope-drawn track. Some are made of the same fabric as the Main Drape, some are made of the same as the back curtains.
Backs - Some stages will have bi-parting curtains all the way upstage, a couple of feet off the back wall. This curtain can either be rope drawn or walk drawn.
Scrims - Some stages have a white scrim. This is a stationary specialty curtain used in special effects like dreams. Scrims are usually seamless and often have a pipe pocket in the bottom to hold a pipe/weight to keep the curtain taut and flat.
Muslins/Cyclorama (Cyc) - Some stages will have a muslin curtain. This curtain can be white or natural and used for scenery or, in some cases, sky blue for a sky background. These muslins are usually seamless and often have a pipe pocket in the bottom to hold a pipe/weight to keep the curtain taut and flat.
***SEE STAGE OPTIONS FOR LAYOUTS***