How to Properly Fold Stage Drapes

The thrill of the theater can be exhilarating, and from the time the curtain rises until it falls again at the end of the show, the audience can be entranced. Few of those audience members will ever consider those curtains, however; like all fabrics, the drapes that hang over stages must be properly cared for and maintained. When it comes time to clean or store those drapes, the task can seem daunting; depending on the theater, some of these curtains can be dozens of feet tall. Proper folding of the drapes will make transportation and storage easier on the theater crew.

Instructions

1. Lay the drapes out completely flat and spread them out on the floor or on a large table.

2. Fold one end of the drape's face over completely, so that it lines up with the side of the drape directly across from it.

3. Continue to fold in one direction, each time folding one side over until it completely touches the other side.

4. Fold in this manner until you have a manageable size of folded curtain, generally about three feet across. From there, grab one of the shorter ends of the curtain and fold it toward the center of the curtain, until the edge lines up with the center. Fold the other end into the center as well; the two ends may overlap by a few inches.

5. Fold the ends in toward the center again. Continue to fold into the center until the drape is folded into a square that can be carried.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are having trouble with the size of your drapes, get two or three people to help you fold the drapes.

References

• Texas Scenic Co.: Use, Care And Cleaning Of Stage Draperies
• Texas Scenic Co.: Home Page