We are planning on staging a production of the new musical "Little Women" and are considering building the set where the attic used so often in the story is built above the main part of the stage - in essence, we plan to build the entire house on stage. We will then use it as a unit set, changing the main floor to match different locations, lighting the attic only when it is being used.
Our space doesn't have a "stage" proper - it is actually a lecture hall with a very tall ceiling. Three quarters of the audience looks down on the actors for every performance. This may be the first time they can look straight ahead at the performers.
Has anyone gone about designing a two story set and can give me some advice? Safety is paramount, but it needs to look good and be functional as well. (And we have very little budget - working on donations from local businesses.)
Our space doesn't have a "stage" proper - it is actually a lecture hall with a very tall ceiling. Three quarters of the audience looks down on the actors for every performance. This may be the first time they can look straight ahead at the performers.
Has anyone gone about designing a two story set and can give me some advice? Safety is paramount, but it needs to look good and be functional as well. (And we have very little budget - working on donations from local businesses.)