Front curtain

The Austrian curtain or drape, also called a puff curtain, has multiple vertical lines (typically nylon) spaced evenly across the width of the fabric, which typically is a thin satin, charmeuse, or chiffon material that bunches well.

Each line runs through a pulley at the top of the curtain and then horizontally to a common head block.

They are considered visually attractive and simple to operate and require little fly space, but have complicated rigging and are relatively expensive.

Unlike the Austrian, each line is independently operated, making it possible to control the shape and height of curtain openings.

Olio drops were popular in vaudeville theatre as they require a minimum of overhead space, were simple to construct, and in most cases could be operated by a single person.

Each end of the rigid tube of the drop has a single coil of rope called an "operating line" wrapped around it.

The other end of the line attaches to a counterbalance in the form of sandbags before running back down to the stage floor.

Traveler curtains remain at a fixed elevation and open and close horizontally, parting in the middle, and consequently require little overhead space.

The curtains are typically made of velvet[7] and decorated with a series of vertical box pleats along the top edge.

Each panel is sewn with a more-or-less diagonal series of rings, running from the upper offstage corner to the onstage-most side, either midway down or lower.

[8] Graphics projected with gobos may create a similar effect, or depict images relevant to the production.