Call us today to reserve your items!

877-363-7998

And here are the details:

Applicable on one new order per company. Promotion available for order of one week duration. This offer cannot be combined with any other discounts. Orders must ship between June 30th – September 1st, 2013. Free shipping is round-trip ground via Fedex in the contiguous USA only. While supplies last. Free item is of equal or lesser value.

Create a Custom Look with a Cyclorama

A cyclorama, or ‘cyc’ is a great way to get a custom look for less or provide you with a more simplistic approach than traditional scenery. This plain muslin drop can be used to project a variety of lighting techniques such as: gels, gobos or moving lights. You can incorporate colors that will help make costumes stand out or project a logo for a corporate event . A lighting designer can assist with developing a complementary lighting scheme to give your production that extra pop.

Alter the Size
Some of you may find that the item you’d like to rent may be slightly too large for your venue. There are simple ways you can alter the size of your item by doing the following:

Altering the size from the Top

Fold the top portion of the backdrop over until the desired height is acquired. Then with rubber tipped “grip clamps,” clamp the folded part of the backdrop to the pipe batten. If you should lose the rubber tip to the clamp, a tightly folded paper towel used as padding works well. The number of grip clamps required depends on the size and weight of the backdrop. For example, for a 22′ high by 50′ wide backdrop, we recommend one grip clamp every 2 feet. If the pipe pocket is utilized, more grip clamps may be required. (This application does not work if the backdrop is to be hung from a traveler track.)

Altering the size from the Sides

In the event the backdrop is too wide, simply fold back the side or sides of the backdrop that you do not want to be seen and tie the lines at the top.

Altering the size from the Bottom

Clean the surface under the backdrop, and then fold under the bottom portion. Lay paper or plastic on the floor so that the face of the backdrop will not make direct contact with the ground. A pipe or chain can be laid on the back side of the backdrop to give it weight and make it taught.

One of our popular Clocks Montage backdrops was spotted on a recent episode of NBC’s hit sitcom, “Community” using the resizing methods outlined above!

Item S3337

You can watch the entire episode here

The StageNotes website offered eight existing resource categories such as: scripts, school production tips, songbooks and more… all valuable for teachers and performers alike. Unfortunately there was no information that allowed teachers to research, rent, or purchase the backdrops and drapery required for popular musicals and theatrical performances.  Thus an additional ”scenery”  resource was added where drama and theater teachers organizing high school plays can find a large variety of appropriate scenic backdrops and drapery.

StageNotes also has useful study guides for many popular shows, including the new, and very popular, show: In the Heights. Grosh recently painted several backdrops for this show, including the George Washington Bridge backdrop below. Maine East High School in Park Ridge IL used the drop as the centerpiece for their recent production. This and other popular high school musicals and theatrical productions can be found on the Grosh website under the show themes page. 

Students at Maine East High School rehearsing In The Heights Musical with George Washington Bridge backdrop ES7751

In addition to production resources, there are some other incredible opportunities StageNotes offers to teachers and students alike. Through close ties with the the National High School Musical Theater Awards and their upcoming events in Los Angeles and NYC, students have a chance to win scholarships and awards for showcasing their talents. Grosh is excited to participate in these shows with a donation to these great causes. We look forward to a long lasting professional relationship with StageNotes and hope teachers and theater professionals will benefit.

“Spring’s Most Popular New Show”

goes to…

The Little Mermaid!

(Thank you to the “Academy” of Grosh voting members for the results from our highly scientific vote!)

Since MTI released Disney’s Little Mermaid Jr. for licensing last year, the show has exploded in popularity among schools and children’s theatre. The plot of this one-act musical is most similar to Disney’s version, but with a few twists akin to the original Hans Christian Andersen story.  This adapted Jr. style is best for a larger cast of 20+ and features many well-known songs such as: ‘Part of your World’, ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls’, ‘Kiss the Girl’ and more. The dancing numbers can be dialed up or down depending on cast members ability, and the costumes have a wide creative margin for adorably quirky design.

We were enthusiastic to create new backdrop designs that our customers would be excited to have on their stage. In fact the demand for these drops is so high that they are constantly out for rental and we’re regularly adding more to our inventory! Undersea Castle, Castle by the Beach, and Palace Interior backdrops are all available in two sizes: 17’ x 40’ or 22’ x 50’.

You can see all of our Little Mermaid backdrops here.

Kentucky Country Day School, Louisville KY

Another popular new show is- In the Heights released for licensing last year by Rodgers and Hammerstein. This Tony-Award winning musical takes place in the Manhattan neighborhood barrio of Washington Heights for a few days in sweltering July.

“The universal story of a vibrant community … a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions to take with you, and which ones you leave behind.” – Rodgers & Hammerstein

Differentiating it from many other shows, In the Height’s characters are minorities- many of them arriving here from other countries. The show features continual high-energy song and dance sets; from love ballads to street rap, jazz to salsa.

If you’re thinking of doing this show in the future, we’ve got the perfect backdrops to frame your set and make you feel like you’re right there in the neighborhood!

George Washington Bridge, New York Borough, Washington Heights are all 22’ x 50’

Lastly, Legally Blonde the Musical! It’s been available (via MTI) a little longer than the other two shows, yet remains a production favorite.

In this female-dominated show, Elle Woods is determined to prove to her old boyfriend, but ultimately to herself, that she’s got what it takes to graduate from Harvard Law School. The message about believing in yourself is serious yet the entire show is lighthearted and humorous. Upbeat and peppy, Legally Blonde is the perfect show for high schools and community theatre.

Of course the performance wouldn’t be complete without backdrops such as: Sorority House Exterior (with cut out windows!) and a Courtroom Interior.

Omigod You Guys! – Libertyville High School, Vernon Hills Illinois

In case you haven’t heard of it: TSE is “the largest tradeshow and conference for event professionals in the world”. One of the great things about this tradeshow was that there were 3 days of exhibiting which allowed us to meet and showcase a variety of Backdrops and Drapery.  Since the show lasted for 3 days; our team thought “why not change the theme of our booth each day?”…and we did!

The team that staffed the booth included: Joel Smith our Mid-West Sales rep, Nicole Lenander our outstanding Customer Service Rep, and Greg Viera  our very talented scenic Creative Director.

Before the tradeshow began, TSE had an Opening Night Celebration Party in which Grosh was privileged to provide opulent Silver Austrian Puff Drapes. These were hung and featured up lighting in a vibrant red for a beautiful effect.

Silver Shimmer Austrian Puff – D1853

Day 1: Football

We created this custom football stadium backdrop specifically for our first day! We received wonderful compliments on the vibrancy and making the goal posts pop. Meanwhile, Nicole really got into the spirit with face paint and an inflatable game-hat.

ES7749 – Football Stadium 14′ x 25′
(note: Grosh logos not on actual backdrop)

Day 2: Hawaiian

Our second day we wanted to bring a little sunshine to Chicago. Although we’re a California based crew, we embraced the 32 degree weather and brought some sun and sand to the Grosh booth.  We even passed out leis! This was a great way to demonstrate that backdrops can go beyond a one-dimensional scene; add sand, Hawaiian shirts and tables/chairs and you have an instant Luau.

Surfboards – S2472

Many of the attendees were excited to use the backdrop as a photo-op!

Aloha!

Day 3: Hollywood

We couldn’t go all the way to Chicago and not represent our hometown – Hollywood! So we rolled out the red carpet and dressed up in our finest for the third and final day of TSE. We had fun treating it as a faux-prom, Nicole even had a corsage! It was the perfect ending to the whole event.

Hollywood Sign – S3068

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth. We had so much fun meeting so many nice and interesting people! We’d love to hear your opinion on the types of drops you’d like to see us feature at our next tradeshow!

A few days ago, we came across old blueprints for the staging of the Lili St. Cyr show at the El Rancho Vegas Hotel.  The prints dated back to April 6, 1956.  It got us thinking about our involvement in the construction of hotels and casinos resorts in the past and stories behind these historic landmarks.

R. L. Grosh and Sons not only specialized in painted backdrops and drapery, but also in staging, rigging and set design.  During the 1940-1960s, when many of the upscale hotel resorts we know today were just being developed, Grosh was also developing a staging construction company, called Tru-Roll.  Tru-Roll, soon gained a name for itself on the Vegas strip and in Los Angeles, where business owners were seeking to capitalize on the entertainment industry.

Most entertainment palaces during this time period provided a full bill of performers for their guests to enjoy and business owners began utilizing a turntable design that would allow for a complete set change in just one quick turn.

At the Coconut Grove, Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, Tru-Roll created a motorized platform which would retract when it wasn’t in use.  This allowed space for a larger dance floor or larger dining amenities. (See image below)

Grosh also completed rigging and installed drapery at some of the most famous resorts in Vegas, like the Flamingo Hotel and the MGM lounge.

“Eric Mueller, Warehouse Manager at Grosh Backdrops and Drapery, recalls, “I was making a delivery to the MGM and was required to get a signature on a packet of paperwork…When the elevator doors opened I entered a room and the decor was breathtaking! I remember the carpet was a rich green like the felt on a pool table…”

Grosh outfitted two show room stages at MGM in 1985.  These large hotel resorts were an opportunity to showcase grandeur style and Grosh was honored to be called upon to complete the job.

In more recent times, Grosh Backdrops and Drapery has partnered with Spectrum Lighting to undergo a project at the Seminole Coconut Creak Casino in Coconut Creek, FL.  Our Custom department, under the leadership of artist, Greg Viera, created a handcrafted plexi glass chandelier for the casino, in order to optimize lighting in its gaming area.

If you are interested in partnering with the Grosh Custom department to renovate your space, please reach out Greg Viera at greg@grosh.com. Grosh can also provide wall murals for commercial space, drops and drapes for sets, decor for restaurants and more.

The best part about planning a rustic wedding is the venue itself can require little maintenance and preparation. Some country weddings have made good use of barns and open cornfields as reception areas, and you would be surprised how beautifully and easily these spaces are transformed into something picture perfect. The goal is not to cover up the dirt and the lumber, but to make it look inviting.

About this picture: Read more about this Connecticut barn wedding reception at rusticweddingchic.com.

As a decorating tip, a wall hanging or a chiffon drape, for example, can add some simple elegance to large a drafty space.  As far as trendy summer colors are concerned, TheKnot.com predicts these are the color combinations in season: Papaya and Olive, Red and Pool, Fuchsia and Navy, and Mustard, Black and White.  You can read more about these color inspirations here.

The best recommendation from caterers has been to keep the menu simple, yet unique, complimenting the venue and the couple’s shared experiences.  A good menu for a country wedding might include chicken, mashed potatoes, biscuits and S’mores for desert. One caterer, from Black Diamond Caterers, encourages couples not to skip the corn.  Chef Heidi offers this advice, “Your guests won’t mind using their fingers when it comes to sweet corn on the cob… trust me!  You can also tie it all together, and use corn during your cocktail hour, dessert, as guest favors, or even as a color inspiration.”  You can find more of her tips about incorporating corn into your wedding menu, here.

If you have decided on your location, and know your menu, but are stuck on decor, think about all the possibilities for utilizing your space. Fabrics and paintings can make for great space changers. Perhaps, a scenic backdrop that is sentimental to a couple’s travel plans can turn any reception into a destination wedding.  Like, a summer wedding in the vineyards of France, in your own backyard? Why, that sounds wonderful.

Today, March 31, 2012, marks the 54th anniversary of one of the most imaginative theme park attractions created.  The Santa Fe Railroad at Disneyland, California, opened in 1958 with the unveiling of the Grand Canyon Diorama.  This realistic rendering of the Grand Canyon  was painted at Grosh Studios by artist Delmer J. Yoakum.

The Diorama spans an impressive 306 feet wide and 34 feet tall and required 300 gallons of paint. The inspiration for this giant artwork came from the short film, Grand Canyon by James Algar who also directed Disney classics Bambi and Fantasia.

To this day, passengers are amazed as they ride by on a moving train getting the feeling of being there – at one of the great wonders of the world.  With this ride, Disney achieved the visionary concept of making moving 3D images.  Walt Disney has been quoted, “I believe in being an innovator” and he certainly has succeeded.

Today, 3D film is commonplace, but still feels amazing every time we watch a new release.  Disney’s Pixar has done it again with Brave hitting theaters this summer. Oh, the excitement of innovation in art!

Find out more about the film here

Many public and private colleges and universities host Summer repertory programs for students looking to be immersed in theater in their months off from school.  Even for the recent college graduate, a work opportunity at a small summer program can be a great stepping stone towards a career in stage coaching. For the theater professional, mentoring a summer youth program can be a nice respite from a full schedule set to begin again in the Fall.

Many students and coaches alike will agree that the best reason to participate in a Summer repertory program is the opportunity to collaborate with a highly talented and creative group in a small team atmosphere. Rehearsals start immediately with the pressure to produce a polished performance in a matter of weeks; but it’s that drama and intensity and ultimately that team effort that create an exciting experience for both the actors and the staff.

The term Repertory comes from the word Repertoire. In other words, a theater company may perform a “collection” of plays in a set rotation within a certain amount of time.  In these modern times, each play usually runs from 3-6 weeks at a time- and ideally, the Summer season allows for the perfect conditions (time and weather-wise ) to stay on schedule.

A small theater company may not have the facility or means to execute a full production set, but while school is out, many colleges are able to lend a stage or two to these companies in name of educating the public about the Arts. Like the Marin Shakespeare Company, for example, which puts on performances at the Forest Meadows Amphitheater at Dominican University in San Rafael, CA. They call this Summer series “Shakespeare Under the Stars.”  In fact, many of us have experienced Shakespeare under the stars in our own towns and cities where outdoor theater is an anticipated Summer event.

If you are looking for a list of repertory programs near you, you may want to start by checking out your local universities or perhaps search online to find lists of programs by city and state. Backstage.com just released an updated list of programs by state that you may find helpful.

Who’s ready for some fun?

Featured Photo Above: Children learn about the production of a musical theatre during C-R Kids Summer Theatre Academy at Cohoes Music Hall in Cohoes, N.Y. on Monday, August 1, 2011.  (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

We took some of the best qualities that you like about us – personalized customer service and quality products – and packaged those facets into a website that allows for a better browsing experience.

Users are now able to search our inventory by price, size, theme, warehouse location and are also able to filter inventory by availability.

Our new website will walk you through the step by step process for finding backdrop and drapery products to fit your entertainment needs.  Whether you have a small or large event in mind, you can begin here to learn about your options for renting or purchasing our products.

These are some of the new features which will help you book your next reservation:

1. You may Shop our inventory for Backdrops or Drapery

2. Use the Filter to sort by item price and design

3. Use the new top navigation bar to Learn about how to properly care for your rental

4. Lastly, check out the new Divisions of Grosh to explore additional products and services which we now offer like the Backdrop Lift.