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How to Make Your Own Cyclorama Curtain

A wrap around curtain (aka cyclorama) can be used as a backdrop for actors in a play or for performers in other venues on a stage. To make a cyclorama curtain for a model stage you have already made, assemble materials from a hobby store and tools that are found in most homes. The cyclorama can be constructed of opaque or translucent material depending upon whether lighting is to fall on it or be projected through it.

Things You'll Need

Tape measure
Newspaper
Translucent plastic
Straightedge
Pencil
Utility knife
Bonding glue
3 wooden dowels, 1/4 inch thick
Clear cellophane tape
Unbleached linen
Masking tape
2 flat lead weights

Instructions

Translucent Cyclorama Curtain
- 1
  Measure the length of the stage in your model and write the number down. Measure the height of the back wall of your model stage and write this number down.
- 2
  Place sheets of newspaper on a work surface. Place the sheet of plastic on the newspaper. Draw a rectangle using the measurements written down on the linen with a straightedge and pencil. Cut the rectangle from the plastic using a straightedge and utility knife. Place the excess plastic aside.
- 3
  Run a line of bonding glue along the side of the plastic farthest from you. Place a wooden dowel on the glued side of the plastic. Press the dowel against the glue and hold it there for one minute. Let the glue set overnight.
- 4
  Hold the cyclorama curtain by the dowel. Place the cyclorama curtain up against the back of the model stage. Secure the curtain in place by taping each of the ends of the dowel to the side walls of the model stage with strips of clear cellophane tape.
Opaque Cyclorama Curtain
- 5
  Measure the length of the stage in your model and write the number down. Measure the height of the back wall of your model stage and write this number down. Add an inch to each of the measurements.
- 6
  Place sheets of newspaper on a work surface. Place the sheet of unbleached linen on the newspaper. Draw a rectangle using the measurements written down on the linen with a straightedge and pencil. Cut the rectangle from the linen with a straightedge and utility knife. Place the excess linen aside.
- 7
  Measure up an inch from the side of the linen closest to you and make a dot with the pencil. Measure down an inch from the side of the linen farthest from you and make a dot with the pencil. Fold both sides of the linen over at the dot and smooth the crease down. Tape the folded sides to the linen with strips of masking tape.
- 8
  Insert a wooden dowel into the hole at one end of each of the folded flaps. Run the dowel to the other end. Tape both ends of the dowel to the linen with a strip of masking tape.
- 9
  Apply bonding glue to one side of each of the two flat lead weights. Place the glued side of one weight against the left side of the linen closest to your about an inch in from the end.
- 10
  Place the glued side of the other weight against the right side of the linen closest to your about an inch in from the end. Press the two weights against the linen and hold them there for 1 minute. Let the glue set overnight.
- 11
  Hold your cyclorama curtain by the dowel so that the weighted side is at the bottom. Turn the curtain around so that the weights are not seen. Place the cyclorama curtain up against the back of the model stage. Secure the curtain in place by taping each of the ends at the top to the sides of the model with strips of clear cellophane tape.

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