Century-Old Theatrical Supply Company Reveals the Technology Behind Hollywood's Most Iconic Stage Effects

There’s no denying the magic of a theatrical stage performance. Whether it’s a big musical, an intimate play, or even a full concert, everything feels more special when it’s performed live on stage. That said, there are definitely some tried and true tricks of the trade that can be implemented to enhance the magic of a live performance. And actually, some of the most spectacular, showstopping moments can be achieved through the simple use of fabrics.

How can fabric choice impact a stage performance? The answer is actually a bit more complicated than you think. That’s why many Hollywood venues, including the Pantages Theatre, and stage productions reach out to Rose Brand for help. With roots dating back more than 100 years, Rose Brand is the leading supplier of stage curtains and fabrics in North America. And over that time, the company has learned a thing or two about how to create truly memorable performances on stage through different fabrics.

Below, you’ll read about three of the top ways to create magical moments on stage through curtains and backdrops. While the end result is easy to obtain, the construction and execution of actually creating these effects is simply mindblowing.

ShowLED Star Drop Curtains Create Mystical Starry Nights

We’ve all been to a live performance where you look behind the performers and see just twinkling lights, creating a magical starry night effect. Not only does it enhance the show, as your focus is drawn to the performance of those on stage, but it also produces an ethereal quality, making the show seem otherworldly. So, how is this achieved? The answer is ShowLED Star Drop Curtains.

ShowLED is a leader in this field, engineering easily manipulated fabrics that are lined with little LED lights throughout. Simply hang this curtain behind your performance and instantly achieve a starry night effect.

ShowLED curtains come in two varieties—Classic and Chameleon. Classic, as the name implies, simply emits a cool, blue-white light. Chameleon, on the other hand, allows for the use of any color on the RGB spectrum. Both types of curtains come equipped with a controller that allows for the programmable twinkle effect.

All you have to do to implement this effect is to purchase (or rent) a ShowLED curtain, program it how you want it to twinkle, hang it as a backdrop, and perform. What adds to the simplicity of the curtain is actually how you can easily store the curtain and fold it to fit in smaller spaces. The technology is woven into the fabric, so it’s easy to store. It’s also incredibly easy to repair, if needed.

Digitally Printed Fabrics Create Memorable Sets Instantly

As mentioned above, the focus of any live performance should be those people on stage. That’s where the true magic and spectacle lie. Anything that detracts from the emotion and power of the performance should be mitigated in any way possible. That’s where a digitally printed backdrop comes into play.

While it would be wonderful to have fully created sets for each scene in a play or musical, that’s just not a realistic achievement for many Hollywood performances. On the opposite end, having zero backdrop and minimal decor can easily distract from a performance and lose the power of what is happening on stage. With a digitally printed fabric serving as a backdrop, you can instantly transport your audience to whatever setting you can envision while maintaining the focus on where it matters most—the performances.

Companies such as Printhead Studio are able to create incredibly detailed, customizable backdrops for any type of production. From fully replicating complicated settings to displaying text or a logo, whatever is needed can easily be obtained.

Perhaps the most magical way to employ the use of a digitally printed fabric is to combine it with tangible set dressing and props. If done correctly, the backdrop doesn’t look like fabric at all and blends in perfectly with the stage setting. You can easily transport your audience without the added cost and hassle of massive sets and backgrounds.

Scrim Fabrics Can Magically Disappear With Proper Lighting

While purchasing a ShowLED curtain or digitally printed fabric is as simple as contacting Rose Brand and telling them the specifications you need, there’s a bit more work and skill that goes into utilizing scrim curtains and fabrics. However, when done correctly, a scrim curtain can achieve one of the most magical experiences you can have watching a stage production.

For those who are unaware, a scrim is a type of fabric used in curtains that achieves the “bleed-through” effect. For example, if done properly, you can have a scrim curtain with a digitally printed backdrop on it. Then, through the use of a specific lighting technique, the scrim curtain appears to dissolve and completely disappear, revealing whatever is behind it.

This is a wonderful way to begin a scene where you start with an opaque curtain and slowly reveal the set and actors behind it. It’s a truly magical effect achieved solely through the use of the correct fabric and an experienced lighting technician. It’s theatre at its best.