Mount the curtain on a traverse rod by sliding the rod through the top hem of the curtain. The curtain should not bunch up at any spot, so that it will present a smooth appearance when lowered onto the stage. If the hem is too tight around the traverse rod, either re-hem the curtain or select a rod with a smaller diameter.
Suspend the traverse rod on pulleys. This will require enough ceiling space above the stage height to accommodate the full length of the curtain. Pull the ropes attached to the pulleys to raise the traverse rod to a height that allows the curtain to clear the viewing area of the stage. When it is time to drop the curtain, release the ropes slowly, hand over hand, allowing the traverse rod to lower, and the curtain to drop.
Attach ropes or a strong cord to the base of the curtain on the backstage side. This technique is the one to use if you don't have enough ceiling height to raise a traverse rod until the curtain disappears from view. Sew grommets into the base of the curtain every 2 feet. A grommet is a metal ring you can place in fabric that will allow you to run a rope or cord through them. Attach the cord or rope by placing it through the grommets and tying a knot. Make sure the knot is on the front side of the curtain, toward the audience, and that the rope runs up the back of the curtain and out of the audience's view.
Attach the ropes to pulleys above the stage. When you pull the ropes the curtain will rise, as the bottom of the curtain curls upward and draws the rest of the fabric with it. When it is time to drop the curtain, release the ropes slowly, allowing the curtain edge to drop as it pulls the fabric down with it.