Chairman Moe
Member
Good grief. So, some friends have just repurposed an old school cafeteria, and turned it into the beginnings of a black box theater. The learning curve has been steep. I've been asked to design and build their first true set (they will open with a small, 3 actor show and a few flats and lights, nothing more.) My set will be something more ambitious; a two-story thing, Victorian era. The set itself is always a challenge, of course, but to be honest I've never built one on a hard, unforgiving, tiled surface.
Further, the director has asked me for a floor that's NOT the recently painted tile, but something more like a stage. Originally she wanted a 30 x 20 foot stage build 20 inches high with the set on top of that. I told her that I didn't feel comfortable doing that; the set itself is challenge enough, and to build both stage and set is probably dangerous, not to mention expensive and time-consuming. And, of course, time is of the essence. I need ideas. I considered simply laying down plywood, perhaps with an acoustic underlayment or paper or something, but then how do I join the plywood? I can't glue it. I would almost have to join it with some sort of thin, slotted steel bar, maybe even recessed into the plywood? She's looking for a way to distinguish her play space, while at the same time giving her actors a more forgiving surface than painted tile. Plus there will be a lot of furniture moving, and scuffing, and building.... you get the idea. I'm floundering at the moment. Open to any and all suggestions.
Further, the director has asked me for a floor that's NOT the recently painted tile, but something more like a stage. Originally she wanted a 30 x 20 foot stage build 20 inches high with the set on top of that. I told her that I didn't feel comfortable doing that; the set itself is challenge enough, and to build both stage and set is probably dangerous, not to mention expensive and time-consuming. And, of course, time is of the essence. I need ideas. I considered simply laying down plywood, perhaps with an acoustic underlayment or paper or something, but then how do I join the plywood? I can't glue it. I would almost have to join it with some sort of thin, slotted steel bar, maybe even recessed into the plywood? She's looking for a way to distinguish her play space, while at the same time giving her actors a more forgiving surface than painted tile. Plus there will be a lot of furniture moving, and scuffing, and building.... you get the idea. I'm floundering at the moment. Open to any and all suggestions.