How to Choose a Stage Projector: Brightness, Throw and Screen Size
Short answer: pick a projector by two numbers. Throw ratio tells you how far from the screen it must sit. Brightness, in lumens, tells you how big and how bright the image can be with your stage lights on.
Throw ratio: distance from the screen
Distance = throw ratio × image width. All our stage projectors are ultra-short throw, so they sit close to the screen and actors are less likely to walk through the beam.
0.35 throw: a 20 ft wide image needs about 7 ft of distance; a 30 ft image needs about 10.5 ft.
0.24 throw (Economy): a 20 ft wide image needs about 4.8 ft.
Brightness: how much light you need
Bigger images and brighter stages need more lumens. Use this as a starting point:
Economy, 5,000 lumens ($1,195/week): smaller stages, gyms, darker stages, smaller screens.
Basic, 7,000 lumens ($1,995/week): medium stages and cafetoriums with little ambient light. Our most popular choice.
Plus, 12,000 lumens laser ($3,395/week): medium-large stages and mid-size auditoriums with some ambient light.
Premium, 15,000 lumens laser ($3,995/week): large stages and auditoriums, and brighter stages.
Screen and mounting
A white cyclorama or projection screen gives the best image. If you need to hang the projector, add the Heavy Duty Mount ($395/week). Measure your image width and the distance you have before you book.
Content
Broadway Media’s scenery catalog has projected backdrops for many shows. Rent the projector here and the scenery from Broadway Media to run it.
