Stage Decoration & Supplies...
...was started in 1923 when Women's College (later UNC Greensboro) English professor & theatre program founder W. Raymond Taylor couldn't find decent stage curtains that were affordable. He and his wife, Bertie, began sewing curtains for the college on the floor of their living room.
He would continue sewing stage curtains as a side business for a number of years eventually adding stage equipment and supplies to the portfolio. He also began using the tradename Stage Equipment Company of America for his stage equipment. He, and later his son, Bill would grow StageDec/SECOA into one of the pre-eminent stage equipment companies.
Theatrical Rigging Services (TRS, Inc.) purchased the company and moved the headquarters to Minneapolis in the 1970's. Owner Jim Kunz, continued innovation and growth. Eventually, success led to the decision to break out the divisions into their own entities to allow more direct focus. SECOA would continue to manufacture rigging but some division managers and employees were offered the opportunity to purchase their respective divisions. The sewing room had remained in Greensboro (less than a mile from the Taylor living room) and several employees led by Bob Thurston took over. The Stage Decorations & Supplies company name, rightfully, stayed in the place it all began and the modern era of StageDec began. In 1995, fire forced operations to locate at our current location and that was used as an opportunity to build a new, larger facility that afforded better production workflow.
Today, we are a proud, woman-owned business that employs folks from many different cultures and backgrounds. As one of the leading stage curtain manufacturers, we are trusted by consultants and rigging contractors. We are specified by name in most construction documents. Our first-class, quality stage curtains can be found in a variety of places -- from major performing arts centers to elementary schools - arenas to places of worship - theatres to palaces.
Being in contiuous operation for a century has taught a thing or two about making stage curtains. So we have just the correct balance of knowledge, experience and innovation to craft your stage curtains. Give us a call.
