Scenery and Props Discussions - TheatreFace

USITT Publication: Practical Projects for Scenic Design Compendium

2016-02-11T02:40:24.101Z

I was looking for some projects to do with my high school level Scenic design class, and came across a reference to this book. I have been unable to find anywhere on the inter webs to purchase or download the compendium. Does anyone know where I can find it? Or have a copy they would be willing to sell/share? THANK YOU!

Distressed Cyc

2014-12-30T04:36:19.094Z

Im looking for an old distressed cyc. It could even be ripped and have holes in it. Does anyone have a source for used cycs? Or know of an inexpensive alternative? Are you getting a new one and need to get rid of the old?

Prop help for The Seagull by Chekhov

2014-10-27T18:16:07.085Z

Hello there Theatrefacers! I am directing The Seagul for a college, and the prop person is struggling to find/build the freshly-shot version of the dead bird in Act 2. Have any of you worked on this one before, or do you have any suggestions as to how she might build one?

Cheers,

Sarah

Building Model Pieces

2014-10-19T08:19:04.759Z

Greetings Fellow Designers -

I'm looking for freelance work in regards to building model pieces. If anyone has any needs, please don't hesitate to hit me up and start a discussion. I love a good challenge, love attention to detail, and enjoy model building. Don't be a stranger.

David

phone bell

2014-05-21T18:15:36.958Z

I actually came up with the old style "Ma Bell" style phone bell. I used to make phone rings with them all the time, but it's been so long since I've gotten a hold of one - I can't remember the wire configuration to ring it. Anybody?

Is it the two greys together and the black/red combo? or....

I tried the different configs, but it doesn't ring - so perhaps the bell is shot. I would just like to be sure before I trash it

Beverage Props

2014-05-01T14:19:15.315Z

I would love to know what everyone's tried and true stage drink favorites are. What do you like to use for alcohol onstage? Beer, wine, champagne, brandy, sherry, etc.What about tea or coffee? What do you use to prevent stains on furniture or costumes?Any great drink recipes you've used?

Asked to build a Death Star

2014-01-05T19:41:24.712Z

Working on a stage prop of a Death Star. Hoping someone will have some input as to the best way to create this. It has to be able to be taken apart and transported and is only actually a quarter section of the actual star but has to be big enough for a doorway for actors/actresses to emerge from. My current tangent is leaning toward about 5 sections that can be assembled quickly, but am concerned about fitting them in what will likely be an SUV for transport.

Have realized I was too generic. It is slated to be approximately 7 feet tall and also 7 feet in diameter. The overall look will be a quarter sphere with a covered opening in the centre which is large enough for a person to walk through. We usually have access to a trailer to move props but sometimes they wind up in someones vehicle so we are trying to keep it so that it will fit in a jeep or explorer or expedition. We also have run into stages where the only entrances to the building are single man doors so we are aiming to keep pieces small enough for this as well..

So far I have envisioned possibly using a light plywood to create frames of the outline for each of probably five sections and then covering with wire which can then be cloth or otherwise coated. Any input appreciated to make it assembly quickly and hopefully last a while without falling apart on us.

Am I not a "real artist" too?

2013-11-25T02:05:00.153Z

What should I say to someone who, when I offer to help them paint their set (for free) at a community theatre, says "Well, no, because we're having a real artist come in to do it instead."? By "real artist" they mean a portrait and landscape painter. I respect their decision not to have people help their other artist on the set if they don't want help, but I don't really like to be referred to as something other than a real artist. This has happened to me more than once. I've done scene painting since 2004, and I was a TA in a scene shop at a university. Do I say anything about it if it happens again?

Other People's Money: doughnut machine

2013-07-09T17:28:47.627Z

I'm in charge of props at a summer stock theatre and one of our upcoming shows is Other People's Money. If you're familiar with the script at all, you will find it needs to have a doughnut machine that moves doughnuts around. It has to be some kind of rube goldberg machine that moves/serves doughnuts.

Is there anyone who has done this show that can help me figure out how to make this machine? Or is there any other props people with good suggestions for how to make/build this?

Any suggestions would help. Thanks!

August: Osage County

2013-06-24T15:30:40.262Z

Ardmore Little Theatre (Ardmore, OK) will be doing Tracy Lett's great dark comedy this fall... but the stage we use can't accomodate a three story-set. Anybody have photos or sketches set that can give us an idea on how to compress the show's space requirements?