Introduction to the Curtains in the Theater 

In my experience, most stage curtains capable of moving vertically can also move horizontally in the same manner as the ones in this video. This is the typically the case in theatres with fly systems used to raise scenery above the stage, given that the curtains are typically attached to the fly system. Most school theatres lack fly systems, given the added expense of building such a system. You have to have a lot of space above the stage to have a fully-functional fly system, at least slightly more than twice the height of the proscenium arch. Professional theatres (and many college theatres) often have fly systems, though. That said, assuming that everything is operated manually, it takes a lot less effort and strength to move stage curtains horizontally than vertically. I've worked a fly system before, and lifting scenery takes strength; lowering scenery does not take as much effort as you have gravity to assist you, but on the flipside, the scenery and batten can easily fall too far if you are not careful (and this can be dangerous if there are people on the stage floor). Ironically, one of the heaviest horizontally-operated stage curtains I dealt with was in an elementary school (where I worked at an after-school program), likely in part because it was fully-lined. While that would surely keep kids from moving the curtains unnecessarily, that can actually be an inconvenience; during a talent show that I helped to oversee, some of my fifth graders really struggled to move the curtains (it was quite slow and not smooth, and this would not happen with your "typical" elementary school stage even with kids a few years younger).

@@BrandonClaridge fly systems can also be dangerous - in my local theatre, i was stage managing a show, and was bringing down the main curtain, but an actor didnt step back and it knocked them out lol

@@lewisnixon7006 That's not good. You might not think that a piece of fabric could knock someone out, until you realize how heavy stage curtains are, and the fact that some stage curtains have a chain in the bottom hem. I was told all about the dangers before I operated a fly system for the first time, not to mention the other types of scenery that could be on a fly system which could also pose a hazard; I do remember raising and lowering a heavy white screen (for projections but made with hard, solid material rather than fabric) that would have seriously injured someone if it fell on them. Other than the college theatre where I took a tech theatre class (which was a professional-type theatre with a fly system), I'm used to very basic stages of the type seen in elementary and middle schools, from the after-school programs where I worked in the past. Sometimes we would use the stage for activities, some of which were performing arts-related, and other times it was just to have an open space for activities such as circle games. Even with some of my younger students (around 7-8 years old), I liked to give my kids the opportunity to open and close the curtains whenever we got to use the stage (I'd pick someone at random or who was well-behaved, and would switch out who got to do it); I always saw this as a hands-on learning experience. Aside from the example I gave in my previous post, most elementary schools tend to have a stage curtain that is lightweight enough for kids to operate. The biggest issues I ever had with kids on/around the stage were when they played with the curtains (mainly trying to tangle themselves in them); most kids seem fascinated and curious about curtains, especially stage curtains. Sometimes I would tolerate a simple peek or allow the kids to gently feel the curtains, mainly to encourage curiosity and exploration (remember these were elementary kids), in exchange for not tangling themselves in them nor going behind them.

it's called hyperbole lol. She's exaggerating to articulate just HOW expensive the curtains are. She isn't being literal.

Yes she also say the curtains are more fragile than they are. In my school pupils wrapped themselves in the stage curtain and holding it together with head through it. At last shool day performance, the cords weren't used and they opened and closed the curtains by pulling them like home curtains and after all this the curtain was were still unharmed.

i hate theatre kids but id trust their word over someone who's called "Gospel Changes Everything"