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How to Build a Theater Backdrop

Set the stage for your theater production by building a custom-designed backdrop. The backdrop is a piece of fabric hung at the back of the stage to conceal the backstage area and create a visual dynamic for viewers to help immerse them in the production. Theaters use multiple backdrops as a convenience for changing sets quickly between scenes. Theater backdrops are rarely plain colored or ruffled, as opposed to public speaking, musical performances or movie productions.

Things You'll Need

  • Large piece of fabric
  • Fabric markers
  • Fabric paint
  • Grommets
  • Grommet tool
  • Hammer
  • Hollow metal rod
  • Tie wire
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay out the fabric across the stage or on another large flat surface.

    • 2

      Draw the background scene using fabric markers. When using washable fabric markers, match the colors you are drawing with to the colors that will be painted on the scene as you will not be able to wash the backdrop once it is painted. As an alternative, use disappearing ink fabric markers. Depending on the type of fabric you are using and the individual marker, you may need to draw the scene in sections to paint before the ink disappears.

    • 3

      Paint the scene as it is drawn and allow the paint to dry completely. You may need to apply two layers of fabric paint to some sections to achieve the desired color or depth of color, depending on the design you are drawing. Apply metallic paints last so they do not alter the colors if you accidentally run over the line.

    • 4

      Install grommets into the upper edge of the painted backdrop. The grommets come with a grommet tool. Place one ring of the grommet on each side of the backdrop and hit the tool with a hammer to set the grommet. The grommet is fully set when both pieces are flat against the cloth.

    • 5

      Insert the hollow metal rod through the grommets.

    • 6

      Insert tie wire through the metal rod and allow enough to protrude from each side of the bar to enable it to be hung from the scaffolding or eaves above the stage.

    • 7

      Hang the bar by tying the tie wire above the stage. Once hung, adjust the backdrop so that it is spread out across the bar and fully covers the back of the stage area.

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