Stage Gear Projection

Professional projection for the stage.

Stage Gear helps theatres, schools, performing arts programs and venues choose projection systems around the realities of live production: throw distance, image size, ambient light, stage lighting, mounting position, lens, scenic content, playback and signal.

Authorized Reseller of Epson® Products
Find your projector Shop all projectors

Need help choosing? Talk to Stage Gear or call 718-874-2642.

Buying a projector from Stage Gear is different
  1. 1We help you choose it.Sized to your room, image and lighting.
  2. 2We help you build it.Lens, mount, surface, signal and playback.
  3. 3We help you use it.Real people who know theatre, before and after the sale.
  4. 4We help keep the show running.Optional Rental Protection if equipment is in repair.
Start with your production

What are you trying to do?

Pick the closest match. We'll show the projectors that fit, or you can ask us to recommend a complete system.

Scenic projection

Digital scenery, projected backdrops, environments and theatrical video.

All Pro Series models

School theatre

Reliable projection for school musicals, plays and multipurpose auditoriums.

7,000–10,000 lumens

Performing arts center

Higher-output systems for larger venues and permanent production spaces.

10,000+ lumens

Short throw / ultra short throw

When the projector can only sit a short distance from the screen, such as behind a scrim.

See onstage placement

Permanent installation

Ceiling or truss-mounted systems for auditoriums, churches and event venues.

All Pro Series models

Large venue

Bigger images, longer throws and brighter stages.

13,000–20,000 lumens
How we specify projection

Choosing a projector isn't just about lumens.

Where the projector goes shapes everything else: the lens, the brightness, and whether your actors end up in the light. For most stages we recommend front projection from onstage with a 0.35 ultra short throw lens. Compare it with the alternatives.

Side view of a theatre comparing projector placements Booth placement: the beam crosses the stage and an actor casts a shadow on the screen. Ultra short throw: the projector hangs upstage, close to the screen, and a folded lens turns the light back onto the surface, so actors stay out of the beam. Rear projection: the projector sits behind the screen. STAGE BACKSTAGE AUDIENCE BOOTH SHADOW BORDER THROW DISTANCE: LONG VERY SHORT THROW SHORT THROW 1 2 3 4 5 6
Simplified side view, not to scale. Every number is a decision we make with you.
What the audience seesAn actor's shadow on your scenery whenever they cross the beam.
What the audience seesA clean image. Actors stay downstage of the light, and the projector hides behind a border.
What the audience seesA clean image with no shadows and no visible projector.
Alternative · long throw from the booth

The classic setup, with one catch.

The projector sits at the back of the house and throws across the audience and the stage. Anyone who steps into that beam blocks the light.

Works well when

  • You have a booth or catwalk with a clear line of sight
  • Easy access for focus and service, out of the stage space
  • A zoom lens gives flexible placement

Watch for

  • Shadows when actors work near the screen or cyc
  • Long cable runs from playback, so we spec HDBaseT or SDI
Browse zoom lenses →Throw distance calculator →
Stage Gear recommended · 0.35 ultra short throw

A big picture, and no actor shadows.

Hang or place the projector upstage, behind your actors and close to the screen or cyc. A folded ultra short throw lens snorkels around the projector and turns the light back onto the surface, filling it from a very short distance.

ELPLX02S for 9,000–20,000-lumen models: 0.35 throw ratio (0.34 on EB-PQ 4K models, including the 8,000-lumen EB-PQ2008B). ELPLX01S for the EB-PU1007B and EB-PU1008B: 0.35. At 0.35, a 20-ft-wide image needs only about 7 ft of throw.

Why it works

  • No actor shadows on the image
  • Big image from a very short distance
  • Projector can be masked from the audience
  • Keeps the booth and sightlines free

Plan for

  • A safe upstage mounting position and rigging
  • The UST lens is an added investment
  • Fixed lens: placement sets the image size
  • Careful geometry and focus setup
ELPLX01S UST lens (up to 8,500 lm) →ELPLX02S UST lens (9,000–20,000 lm) →Short-Throw & Rear Projection System →
Specialty · rear projection

Projector hidden backstage.

The projector sits behind a rear-projection screen and shines through it toward the audience. Actors in front of the screen never touch the beam.

Why it works

  • No shadows from actors in front
  • Projector and cabling stay backstage
  • Pairs well with a short-throw lens

Plan for

  • Clear depth behind the screen, often valuable backstage space
  • A rear-projection screen or suitable scrim
  • Viewing angle depends on the screen material
Short-Throw & Rear Projection System →Front vs. rear projection guide →
  1. 1
    Brightness

    How much light the projector produces, and whether the image holds up with your stage lights on.

  2. 2
    Image size

    The width and height you want, whether that's a screen, a cyc or the whole set.

  3. 3
    Throw distance

    How far the lens sits from the surface. With image size, this decides the lens.

  4. 4
    Ambient and stage light

    How much theatrical or room light lands on the projection surface.

  5. 5
    Lens

    The optics that fit your distance, from folded ultra short throw to long throw.

  6. 6
    Placement

    Booth, catwalk, truss, onstage behind the actors, or behind a screen or scrim.

Also on our checklistProjection surfaceSignal distance (HDBaseT, SDI)Playback systemPermanent vs. touringVenue size
Send rough measurements and a stage photo.We'll size the projector, lens, mount and signal for your space, and tell you which placement fits.
Let us size it for you
Shop projectors

Find the right projector for your stage.

Every model here is an Epson® Pro Series laser projector with an interchangeable lens, so the real decision is brightness and resolution. Answer three quick questions and we'll point you to a starting point.

1What kind of venue?
2How wide is the image?
3Stage light on the image during scenes?
+Anything else? Optional
The range we carry
7,000–20,000lumens

Answer questions 2 and 3 and we'll suggest a brightness class and highlight the models that fit.

A starting point, not a final spec. We confirm it with your measurements, projection surface and lighting plot.

Confirm with Stage Gear
Each brightness comes in two versions: 4K UHD on screenEB-PQ models WUXGA + 4K EnhancementEB-PU models

School & mid-size theatres

School auditoriums, black boxes and mid-size theatres projecting onto a screen, cyc or scenic surface.

7,000–8,500 lumens

Performing arts centers

Larger school auditoriums and performing arts centers, bigger scenic images and stages with more light.

10,000 lumens

Large venues

Large venues, wide cyc and full-stage scenic projection, longer throws and bright stage lighting.

13,000–20,000 lumens

Looking for budget-friendly options? See our certified ex-rental projectors.

Compare

Compare projectors side by side

Specifications are taken from the manufacturer's published spec sheets.

ModelBrightnessResolutionLight source lifeSDIUST lensWeightTypical usePrice
EB-PU1007B 7,000 lumens WUXGA
with 4K Enhancement		 20,000 hours —ELPLX01S
0.35 throw ratio		 35.9 lb School & mid-size theatres Request pricing
EB-PU1008B 8,500 lumens WUXGA
with 4K Enhancement		 20,000 hours —ELPLX01S
0.35 throw ratio		 35.9 lb School & mid-size theatres Request pricing
EB-PQ2008B 8,000 lumens 4K UHD on screen
4K Crystal Motion		 20,000 hours (Normal)
30,000 hours (Extended)		 —ELPLX02S
0.34 throw ratio		 41.0 lb School & mid-size theatres Request pricing
EB-PQ2010B 10,000 lumens 4K UHD on screen
4K Crystal Motion		 20,000 hours (Normal)
30,000 hours (Extended)		 12G-SDIELPLX02S
0.34 throw ratio		 41.4 lb Performing arts centers, larger auditoriums Request pricing
EB-PU2010B 10,000 lumens WUXGA
with 4K Enhancement		 20,000 hours 3G-SDIELPLX02S
0.35 throw ratio		 37.0 lb Performing arts centers, larger auditoriums Request pricing
EB-PQ2213B 13,000 lumens 4K UHD on screen
4K Crystal Motion		 20,000 hours (Normal)
30,000 hours (Extended)		 12G-SDIELPLX02S
0.34 throw ratio		 63.4 lb Large venues Request pricing
EB-PQ2216B 16,000 lumens 4K UHD on screen
4K Crystal Motion		 20,000 hours (Normal)
30,000 hours (Extended)		 12G-SDIELPLX02S
0.34 throw ratio		 64.3 lb Large venues Request pricing
EB-PQ2220B 20,000 lumens 4K UHD on screen
4K Crystal Motion		 20,000 hours (Normal)
30,000 hours (Extended)		 12G-SDIELPLX02S
0.34 throw ratio		 64.3 lb Large venues Request pricing
EB-PU2213B 13,000 lumens WUXGA
with 4K Enhancement		 20,000 hours (Normal, Quiet)
up to about 30,000 hours (Extended)		 3G-SDIELPLX02S
0.35 throw ratio		 52.2 lb Large venues Request pricing
EB-PU2216B 16,000 lumens WUXGA
with 4K Enhancement		 20,000 hours (Normal, Quiet)
up to about 30,000 hours (Extended)		 3G-SDIELPLX02S
0.35 throw ratio		 53.5 lb Large venues Request pricing
EB-PU2220B 20,000 lumens WUXGA
with 4K Enhancement		 20,000 hours (Normal, Quiet)
up to about 30,000 hours (Extended)		 3G-SDIELPLX02S
0.35 throw ratio		 53.7 lb Large venues Request pricing
Need help deciding? Talk to Stage Gear
Lenses

Which lens works with which projector

Pro Series projectors ship without a lens. The lens sets how far back the projector can sit for the image size you need. Compatibility below comes from the manufacturer's published accessory lists. Not sure which throw ratio you need? Try our throw distance calculator or send us your measurements.

LensTypeEB-PU1007BEB-PU1008BEB-PQ2008BEB-PQ2010BEB-PU2010BEB-PQ2213BEB-PQ2216BEB-PQ2220BEB-PU2213BEB-PU2216BEB-PU2220B
ELPLX01S Ultra short throw (fixed)—————————
ELPLX01WS Ultra short throw (fixed), white—————————
ELPLX02S Ultra short throw (fixed)——
ELPLU03S Short-throw zoom
ELPLU04 Short-throw zoom
ELPLW06 Wide-throw zoom
ELPLW08 Wide-throw zoom
ELPLM08 Middle-throw zoom—————————
ELPLM15 Middle-throw zoom
ELPLM10 Middle-throw zoom
ELPLM11 Middle-throw zoom
ELPLL08 Long-throw zoom

● = listed by the manufacturer as compatible. Some lenses limit maximum brightness on certain models; see each lens page for notes. Shop all lenses

Complete systems

A projector is a system.

A projector on its own won't put an image on your stage. It needs a lens matched to your room, a safe mount, signal from your playback computer, and software to run cues. Our systems specify all of it together for your venue.

Our recommended setup: the projector hung upstage with a 0.35 ultra short throw lens. A big image, no actor shadows, and the booth stays free. See how it works

Nothing missing on load-in dayLens, mount, rigging, signal and playback are specified to work together.

One quoteOne package for your venue, instead of piecing parts together from different sellers.

One teamThe people who specify it help you set it up and keep the show running.

BOOTH FREE SMALL TO MID-SIZE HOUSE
7,000–10,000 lumens

School Theatre Projection System

A complete projection package for school auditoriums and mid-size theatres, built around a 7,000 to 10,000-lumen Pro Series laser projector.

Choose this if
  • You run a school auditorium, black box or mid-size theatre
  • You project onto a screen, part of the cyc or a scenic surface
  • The projector can hang upstage (our recommendation), or go in the booth or on a catwalk
What's included
  • Laser projector
  • Recommended0.35 UST lens
  • Mount kit
  • Safety cable
  • Signal package
  • Show playback

Projector has to live in the booth? We'll match a long-throw lens instead.

Optional: Screen or surface · Transport case · 5-year extended warranty · Annual Maintenance Plan with Rental Protection

Get this system quoted See what's included →
BALCONY LARGER HOUSE WITH A BALCONY
10,000–16,000 lumens

Performing Arts Center Projection System

A higher-output projection package for performing arts centers and larger auditoriums, built around a 10,000 to 16,000-lumen Pro Series laser projector.

Choose this if
  • You run a performing arts center or a larger auditorium
  • You want bigger scenic images, or there's more light on stage
  • Signal has to travel a long way from the booth (HDBaseT or SDI)
What's included
  • Laser projector
  • Recommended0.35 UST lens
  • Mount kit
  • Safety cable
  • Signal package
  • Show playback

Projector has to live in the booth? We'll match a long-throw lens instead.

Optional: Screen or surface · Transport case · 5-year extended warranty · Annual Maintenance Plan with Rental Protection

Get this system quoted See what's included →
WIDE HOUSE, FULL-STAGE CYC
13,000–20,000 lumens

Large Venue Projection System

A projection package for large venues, wide cycs and full-stage scenic projection, built around a 13,000 to 20,000-lumen Pro Series laser projector.

Choose this if
  • You're filling a wide cyc or projecting across the whole stage
  • Throws are long and stage lighting is bright
  • The projector hangs from truss, pipe or ceiling, rigged for its weight
What's included
  • Laser projector
  • Recommended0.35 UST lens
  • Mount kit
  • Safety cable
  • Signal package
  • Show playback

Projector has to live in the booth? We'll match a long-throw lens instead.

Optional: Screen or surface · Transport case · 5-year extended warranty · Annual Maintenance Plan with Rental Protection

Get this system quoted See what's included →
AUDIENCE ←BACKSTAGE SCREEN OR SCRIM, PROJECTOR BEHIND IT
Specialty: rear projection

Short-Throw & Rear Projection System

Our specialty package for rear projection.

Choose this if
  • The design calls for projecting from behind a screen or scrim
  • There's clear depth backstage for the projector
  • Nothing can hang upstage in front of the surface
What's included
  • Laser projector
  • Screen, sized to image
  • Screen, sized to image
  • Mount kit
  • Safety cable
  • Signal package
  • Show playback

Optional: Transport case · 5-year extended warranty · Annual Maintenance Plan with Rental Protection

Get this system quoted See what's included →

Already have a projector? Quote individual components

LensesProjector Mount KitProjector Safety Cable KitProjection Screen or SurfaceProjector Signal PackageShow Playback SystemProjector Transport CaseStage Gear Annual Maintenance PlanEpson® Preferred Plus Extended Service Plans
Build my projection systemCompare systems

Stage Gear Theatre Projection Systems are configured by Stage Gear. They are not manufacturer packages and are not created or endorsed by any manufacturer.

Projection surfaces

Choose your surface: screen, cyc, scrim or scenery.

The surface affects brightness and contrast as much as the projector. See what works with each, then size it for your quote.

Explore screens & surfaces
ShowCare for Projection

Protect the equipment. Protect the production.

A projector problem during a run isn't like a broken office printer. The show still has to go up. If your projector has to go to the manufacturer for a covered repair, we ship you a replacement as fast as we can, and we manage the warranty claim for you.

From $995/yr per projector Choose your coverage →

1, 2 or 4 weeksOf replacement projector per year at no cost during a covered manufacturer repair, depending on your plan.
50% offIf the repair runs longer, additional weeks at 50% of the rental rate, up to 8 weeks in total per repair.
We handle itPriority support. We manage your manufacturer warranty claim and the return-for-repair process for you.
10% offBroadway Media digital scenery, up to $1,000 per year.

Without a plan

  1. Projector problem in the middle of a production
  2. Work out the warranty process on your own
  3. Contact the manufacturer and coordinate the repair
  4. Find and pay for a temporary projector separately
  5. Wait through the repair window

With the Stage Gear Annual Maintenance Plan

  1. Call Stage Gear for priority support
  2. We ship you a replacement projector as fast as we can, the closest model we have to yours
  3. Move your lens over to the replacement
  4. We manage the manufacturer warranty claim and the return-for-repair process
  5. Your covered weeks are at no cost; longer repairs are 50% of the rental rate, up to 8 weeks in total

Manufacturer warranty vs. Stage Gear protection

These are different things, and we keep them separate. The manufacturer covers the equipment. Stage Gear's plan covers the production.

BenefitManufacturer warranty
Included		Extended manufacturer warranty
Optional		Stage Gear Annual Maintenance Plan
Optional, from $995/yr
Equipment coverage under the manufacturer's terms✓✓—
Coverage termPer the manufacturer's warranty for your modelExtends the Epson warranty to 5 yearsAnnual plan, per projector
Stage Gear priority support——✓
We manage the warranty claim and return for repair——✓
Replacement projector during a covered repair——1, 2 or 4 weeks per year at no cost
If the repair runs longer——50% of the rental rate, up to 8 weeks in total per repair
Broadway Media digital scenery discount——10%, up to $1,000 per year
Requirement——Requires the 5-year extended Epson warranty
How to get itComes with the projectorAsk for a quoteBuy online or ask for a quote
See plans and pricing Ask about the 5-year Epson extension

The Stage Gear Annual Maintenance Plan is a Stage Gear service plan. It is not a manufacturer warranty and does not change or extend the manufacturer's warranty. Equipment warranty coverage is provided by the manufacturer under its own terms. The plan covers the projector only; lenses are not covered. Replacement projectors come from Stage Gear inventory, as close to your model as possible, and may be a different model. Plan benefits apply according to the Annual Maintenance Plan Terms. Stage Gear does not perform manufacturer warranty repairs; covered repairs are completed by the manufacturer.

Production infrastructure

More than one show.

A professional projector can become part of your venue, serving production after production and year after year, not just the show you're buying it for.

  • Fall play and spring musical
  • Dance, concerts and choral performances
  • Graduations, assemblies and award nights
  • Presentations, community events and venue rentals
Projector + digital scenery

We understand the hardware and the content.

Stage Gear works alongside Broadway Media, a digital scenery provider for theatre. Annual Maintenance Plan customers receive 10% off Broadway Media digital scenery, up to $1,000 per year.

About the plan

Why buy projection from Stage Gear

Choose itTheatre-specific sizing for brightness, lens and placement.
Build itComplete-system guidance: lens, mount, surface, signal and playback.
Use itPre-sale and post-sale support from people who work in theatre.
Protect itOptional extended Epson® warranty plus Stage Gear Rental Protection.
Projection guides

Learn the basics before you buy

Plain-language guides for theatre teachers, directors and technicians.

How many lumens do you need?

Image size, surface and stage light.

Read →

Throw distance calculator

Find the lens that fits your room.

Calculate →

Choosing a lens

Ultra short to long throw, explained.

Read →

Front vs. rear projection

Which approach suits your stage.

Read →
FAQ

Projection questions we hear every week

How many lumens do I need for stage projection?

It depends on three things: how big the image is, what you are projecting onto, and how much stage light lands on that surface. Bigger images and brighter stage washes need more output. We size brightness from your image width, throw distance and lighting plan rather than guessing, so send us those details and we'll recommend a model.

What projector is best for a school auditorium?

Many school auditoriums are well served by a projector in the 7,000 to 10,000 lumen range with the right lens, but the real answer depends on image size, throw distance and how much light is on the stage. We'll recommend a model and lens once we know your room.

How does stage lighting affect projection?

Any light that hits the projection surface washes out the image. Keeping light off the screen or scenery, choosing the right surface and having enough projector brightness all help the image hold up under a full lighting plot.

What is throw distance?

Throw distance is how far the projector lens sits from the projection surface. Divide it by the image width and you get the throw ratio. For example, a 1.5 throw ratio and a 20-foot-wide image means the projector sits about 30 feet away. The lens you choose sets the throw ratio.

Do I need an interchangeable lens?

The Pro Series projectors we carry ship without a lens, so you choose the lens that fits your room. That is a benefit in a theatre: the same projector can work from the booth, a catwalk, or a short-throw position behind a scrim.

Is Stage Gear an authorized Epson reseller?

Yes. Stage Gear LLC is an Authorized Reseller of Epson® products. Purchases are made with Stage Gear, not Epson.

Can Stage Gear help design the entire projection system?

Yes. We help with the projector, lens, mounting, projection surface, signal runs and playback, and we can quote the complete system together. Start here.

What happens if my projector fails during a production?

Equipment is covered by the manufacturer's warranty under its own terms. With the Stage Gear Annual Maintenance Plan, you call us, we manage the warranty claim and return for repair, and we ship you a replacement projector as fast as we can, the closest model we have to yours, which works with your lens. Your plan's covered weeks (1, 2 or 4 per year) are at no cost; if the repair runs longer, additional weeks are 50% of the rental rate, up to 8 weeks in total per repair. Lenses are not covered. See plans and pricing.

What is the difference between the manufacturer warranty and Stage Gear protection?

The manufacturer's warranty covers the equipment. Epson's warranty can be extended to 5 years. The Stage Gear Annual Maintenance Plan is our own service plan: it covers the production with priority support, claim handling and a replacement projector during covered repairs. It does not change or extend the manufacturer's warranty, and it requires the 5-year Epson extension.

Do I need a screen?

Not always. Many productions project onto a cyc, scrim, flats or painted scenery. The surface affects how bright and sharp the image looks, so tell us what you plan to project onto and we'll advise.

Why are projector prices by request?

Professional projection systems are configured around the venue: lens, mounting, signal and playback all change the system. We quote the complete package so you know the real cost before you buy.

Do you ship projectors outside the United States?

Epson® products ship only to addresses in the United States (the 50 states and Washington, D.C.).

Not sure which projector you need?

Tell us about your venue, image and production. We'll recommend a complete system.

Have Stage Gear recommend a system

Sold by Stage Gear LLC, 47 Main Street South, Woodbury, CT 06798 · 718-874-2642 · hello@shopstagegear.com. Stage Gear is an Authorized Reseller of Epson® products. Purchases made through this website are transactions with Stage Gear, not Epson, and are subject to Stage Gear's shipping and return, refund and exchange policies. Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.