DeClercq’s Theatrical Specialties

What DeClercq’s Theatrical Specialties does

DeClercq's Theatrical Specialties, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned specialty trade contractor founded in 1987 by brothers Joe and Paul DeClercq and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area (warehouse in Hayward, mailing address in San Ramon, California). The company designs, fabricates, and installs theatrical rigging and stage equipment — including drapery and curtain systems with motorized tracks, projection screens and custom screen frames, 4-way and movable masking systems, sound systems integrating Dolby Atmos, Meyer Sound, and JBL speakers, acoustical treatments, Unistrut grid rigging, and theatre/stadium seating — for movie theaters, production studios, schools, churches, auditoriums, arenas, and high-end custom homes. All fabrication is performed in-house (including a sewing room for custom drapery) and installation labor is never subcontracted, which the company positions as a quality and schedule control advantage. The firm holds California Contractor's License #662023 and is led today by Paul DeClercq as President.

The business operates on a direct-sales, project-based model: customers contact the firm by phone (510-633-5111) or email to obtain custom quotes for new construction or remodel work, and the company supports each engagement from concept through completion, including consultation, fabrication, installation, and post-installation maintenance (screen cleaning, flameproofing). Pricing is quote-based per project with no public pricing or e-commerce channel. Revenue streams consist of professional installation services, theatrical product sales, consultation, and recurring maintenance. The customer base is concentrated in California with selective work across other western states and Nevada, and includes enterprise entertainment clients (Disney's California Adventure, Dolby, Director's Guild, Brenden Theatres, LDAC) alongside mid-market and education customers (Berkeley Art Museum, Presidio Theatre SF, Emerson Elementary School). In May 1992 the firm acquired Oakland United Studios — the other legacy player in the theatrical specialties trade — as an affiliated rigging company.

The company has been in continuous operation for over 35 years with no disclosed funding rounds, no institutional investors, no public revenue disclosures, and an apparent headcount that appears small (only two principals are publicly named). Its strategic posture is that of a mature regional incumbent leveraging its experience, in-house capabilities, and license credentials rather than pursuing aggressive expansion, technology disruption, or capital-driven scaling.

Name

DeClercq’s Theatrical Specialties

Legal name

Declercq's Theatrical Specialties, Inc.

Website

https://declercqs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DeClercq's Theatrical Specialties is a family-owned California theatrical rigging and installation contractor, founded in 1987, serving movie theaters, studios, schools, churches, and custom homes with custom-fabricated drapery, screens, sound systems, masking, and acoustical treatments across the western United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theatrical Rigging and Installation Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Motion Picture and Video Production (51211)

SIC

Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819), Construction - Special Trade Contractors (1700)

akta.pro primary industry

Theatre Services & Design (Scenic/Costume/Props/Stage Management) (MPAGABAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Production Design & Art Department Services (Sets, Props, Scenic) (MPADAFAG), Event Production & Technical Services (AV/Lighting/Staging) (MPAAAGAB)

Keywords

• Theatrical installation services
• Theatrical rigging systems
• Stage drapery fabrication
• Projection screen installation
• Acoustical treatment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Theatrical Installation Services: Professional installation of screen frames, screens, masking systems, speakers, draperies, and acoustical treatments. The company provides direct installation labor without subcontracting to maintain quality control.
2. Theatrical Products Sales: Sales of theatrical products including curtains, drapes, fabrics, screens, sound systems, tracks, machines, Unistrut frames, seating, and related equipment. Products are sold and installed as part of project-based work.
3. Consultation Services: Consulting on new and remodel theatrical projects, providing recommendations for tracks, motors, screens, and equipment selection to meet project requirements and budget constraints.
4. Maintenance and Repair Services: Service department maintains auditorium equipment including screen cleaning, flameproofing, and ongoing maintenance of installed systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

DeClercq's Theatrical Specialties is a licensed and insured theatrical contractor that designs, fabricates, installs, and services theatrical systems including draperies, curtain tracks, motorized masking systems, projection screens, sound systems, rigging, Unistrut framing, and acoustical treatments. The company operates an in-house sewing room and fabrication shop and provides end-to-end project support from concept through completion, serving movie theaters, studios, schools, churches, arenas, and custom homes primarily in California and the western United States.

Product overview

DeClercq's Theatrical Specialties operates as a single unified offering—a comprehensive theatrical rigging, fabrication, and installation service provider—rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offering combines hardware products (drapery/curtain systems with draw/lift machines, theatrical screens with custom frames, sound systems including Dolby Atmos and Meyer Sound/JBL speakers, rigging systems with strut motors and Unistrut grids, and 4-way masking systems) with professional services (installation, fabrication, acoustical treatments, and maintenance). Supporting materials include flame retardant velour and cotton fabrics available in multiple weights. All components work together as an integrated theatrical solution from concept through completion, serving studios, movie theaters, home theaters, schools, churches, and other venues.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Drapery and Curtain Systems
• Theatrical Screens
• Theatrical Sound Systems
• Theatrical Rigging Systems
• Masking Systems
• Theatrical Installation Services
• Theatrical Fabrication Services
• Acoustical Treatments
• Theatre and Stadium Seating

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero missed project openings in over 35 years of operations
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Oakland United StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 1992In May 1992, DeClercq's Theatrical Specialties acquired Oakland United Studios as an affiliate rigging company. Oakland United Studios was founded by Jack Craig, who started as a ticket taker for United Artists and later built a company fabricating, repairing, and maintaining theatre drapery, rigging, and hardware. The acquisition merged the oldest and best in the theatrical specialties industry, bringing Dorothy 'Dot' Jessup (Jack Craig's daughter) into the DeClercq organization. Oakland United Studios operates as a sister company to DeClercq's Theatrical Specialties.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Sapsis Rigging: National theatrical rigging installer and consulting firm serving Broadway, tours, and venues. Directly comparable in installation services for rigging and motorized systems.
• Masque Sound: Provider of theatrical sound installation and AV integration services for venues and productions. Direct overlap on sound system integration work (e.g., Dolby Atmos) DeClercq's performs.
• Stagecraft Industries: Pacific Northwest theatrical scenery, drapery, and rigging fabricator/installer serving schools, performing arts centers, and entertainment venues. Comparable specialty contractor profile and installation offerings.
• Rose Brand: Major U.S. manufacturer and supplier of theatrical fabrics, drapery, and custom curtains. Direct overlap on drapery fabrication and stage curtain systems.
• SECOA: Stage rigging, drapery, and lighting systems integrator with installation crews across the U.S. Comparable in delivering end-to-end theatrical installation projects for venues and studios.
• Wenger Corporation / JR Clancy: Largest U.S. theatrical rigging and equipment manufacturer; competes directly with DeClercq's on rigging, motorized tracks, and stage hardware installation projects. Closest comparable in vertical scope and product breadth.
• Syracuse Scenery & Stage Lighting Co. Long-standing theatrical scenery, drapery, and rigging fabricator serving entertainment and venue customers across North America. Comparable in custom theatrical fabrication services.
• H & H Specialties: West Coast-based theatrical rigging and drapery manufacturer/installer serving studios, schools, and entertainment venues. Closely comparable in regional scope and product offering.
• Funa International: Theatre consulting, staging, and equipment installation firm with focus on community theaters, schools, and houses of worship. Comparable in installation services for drapery, rigging, and stage equipment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DeClercq’s Theatrical Specialties