Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Durable Umbrellas

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dicapria
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Joined: 8/26/09
Location: United States
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Topic: Durable Umbrellas
Posted: 8/26/09 at 5:59am

I've been surprised to find very little written about obtaining durable umbrellas for dance performances.
Anybody know of a good brand?

I've done it before, bought the $1 wholesale umbrellas - which rightfully fell apart.
My current colleagues bought $12 umbrellas, that completely fell apart.

I feel like there should be a site that makes umbrellas specifically for this purpose.

The ones I need are the Mary Poppin kind, but in light color(s).
Looking to spend between $12-$15 each.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Dicapria
http://www.dicapria.com

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David McCall
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Joined: 1/28/09
Location: United States
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Posts: 299

Posted: 8/26/09 at 1:14pm

Three things come to mind.

1.) Give the actors $10 and tell them to get their own umbrellas. If they already own one they can use that if it fits the show. If they break it they have to replace it. That should get them to take care of it.

2.) Have the show buy umbrellas and put the actors name on it. That way any damage is traceable.

3.) figure out how to reinforce the umbrellas so they don't fall apart as easily and combine this with #2 above.

David M

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kries13
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Joined: 8/12/09
Location: United States
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Posts: 18

Posted: 8/26/09 at 1:35pm

My suggestion is a wedding events site. Many provide lovely umbrellas for guests attending outdoor weddings and they must be durable because they are used over and over.

See if you can get some wholesale or even rent them.

kries
I art therefore I am.
www.artisrelative.com

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Mr. Lowell
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Joined: 1/30/07
Location: United States
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Posts: 269

Posted: 8/27/09 at 4:08pm

Hi Dicapria, when I first read your forum topic, "Durable Umbrellas", I thought, "boy, now THERE'S an oxymoron phrase!" Umbrellas always seem to break, don't they... It can be frustrating.

My first inclanation would be to stock up on tons of extras just in case. But I bet there are ways you could reinforce them for stage use.

They seem to break in two places. One, the fabric detaches from the tips of the rods. And two, the rods or spines get bent and fail to open properly.

It seems like you could reinforce the tips with "Sculpt-or-Coat" theatrical glue. This is a water-base glue similar to "Elmers" only it's the consistancy of pudding. You could apply it heavily to the under-side of the fabric where it joins with the metal rods. This stuff dries hard as a rock. (I think of it as my "liquid duct tape"). Other than doing this, you might try sewing additional stiches around the fabric where it joins the rods.

But as far as strengthening the rods or spines...and all those tiny joints...jeez, I don't know. Could someone who is very talented at welding add some metal "splints" to all the spines? Boy, that would be tricky and very time consuming. Maybe all internal rods could be rapped in gaff tape for a little more support. I don't know...

So maybe the safe best bet is to spring for the most expensive and well-made umbrellas on the market. Large, sturdy black umbrellas are popular in England. Try a British website and see if they can be ordered by mail. Go to Google and type in "high quality umbrellas" and you get several good links to european dealers. Or check with a raincoat company like London Fog and see if they sell a high-end style umbrella that would last a lot longer. This idea would cost more at first, but may save money in the long run if you don't have to buy as many replacements.

Good luck, and let us know how it works out. (My director has "Singing in the Rain" on her short list...so I may need a rugged umbrella one day!)

-Dana'

Mr. Lowell,
Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director,
for the Linda Sloan Theatre,
in the Davison Center for the Arts,
at Greensboro Day School

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dicapria
Walk-On
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Joined: 8/26/09
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0

Posted: 8/27/09 at 7:16pm

Thanks Mr. Lowell,
Yeah, I think your right about just reinforcing things.
However, when I did Jekyll, I ended up buying some strong umbrellas from Target, and they seemed to hold up okay after the dollar store ones broke.
I did the online thing - it does seem a little expensive though. esp. for this current production - i need light colored umbrellas. - so a little harder to find.
Yeah, the Brits do seem to have some sturdy umbrellas.
I guess I'll keep shopping around and if all else fails, just order online and start reinforcing.
I'll let you know how it goes.
But I do feel like Broadway prop houses would have a special stock of durable umbrellas for dance numbers. dontcha think? i wish i knew what they know.

Dicapria
http://www.dicapria.com

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Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup

Author	Message
dicapria Walk-On Joined: 8/26/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Durable Umbrellas Posted: 8/26/09 at 5:59am
	I've been surprised to find very little written about obtaining durable umbrellas for dance performances. Anybody know of a good brand? I've done it before, bought the $1 wholesale umbrellas - which rightfully fell apart. My current colleagues bought $12 umbrellas, that completely fell apart. I feel like there should be a site that makes umbrellas specifically for this purpose. The ones I need are the Mary Poppin kind, but in light color(s). Looking to spend between $12-$15 each. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
	Dicapria http://www.dicapria.com

	IP Logged

David McCall Celebrity Joined: 1/28/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 299	Posted: 8/26/09 at 1:14pm
	Three things come to mind. 1.) Give the actors $10 and tell them to get their own umbrellas. If they already own one they can use that if it fits the show. If they break it they have to replace it. That should get them to take care of it. 2.) Have the show buy umbrellas and put the actors name on it. That way any damage is traceable. 3.) figure out how to reinforce the umbrellas so they don't fall apart as easily and combine this with #2 above.
	David M
	IP Logged

kries13 Player Joined: 8/12/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 18	Posted: 8/26/09 at 1:35pm
	My suggestion is a wedding events site. Many provide lovely umbrellas for guests attending outdoor weddings and they must be durable because they are used over and over. See if you can get some wholesale or even rent them.
	kries I art therefore I am. www.artisrelative.com
	IP Logged

Mr. Lowell Celebrity Joined: 1/30/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 269	Posted: 8/27/09 at 4:08pm
	Hi Dicapria, when I first read your forum topic, "Durable Umbrellas", I thought, "boy, now THERE'S an oxymoron phrase!" Umbrellas always seem to break, don't they... It can be frustrating. My first inclanation would be to stock up on tons of extras just in case. But I bet there are ways you could reinforce them for stage use. They seem to break in two places. One, the fabric detaches from the tips of the rods. And two, the rods or spines get bent and fail to open properly. It seems like you could reinforce the tips with "Sculpt-or-Coat" theatrical glue. This is a water-base glue similar to "Elmers" only it's the consistancy of pudding. You could apply it heavily to the under-side of the fabric where it joins with the metal rods. This stuff dries hard as a rock. (I think of it as my "liquid duct tape"). Other than doing this, you might try sewing additional stiches around the fabric where it joins the rods. But as far as strengthening the rods or spines...and all those tiny joints...jeez, I don't know. Could someone who is very talented at welding add some metal "splints" to all the spines? Boy, that would be tricky and very time consuming. Maybe all internal rods could be rapped in gaff tape for a little more support. I don't know... So maybe the safe best bet is to spring for the most expensive and well-made umbrellas on the market. Large, sturdy black umbrellas are popular in England. Try a British website and see if they can be ordered by mail. Go to Google and type in "high quality umbrellas" and you get several good links to european dealers. Or check with a raincoat company like London Fog and see if they sell a high-end style umbrella that would last a lot longer. This idea would cost more at first, but may save money in the long run if you don't have to buy as many replacements. Good luck, and let us know how it works out. (My director has "Singing in the Rain" on her short list...so I may need a rugged umbrella one day!) -Dana'
	Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School
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dicapria Walk-On Joined: 8/26/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 8/27/09 at 7:16pm
	Thanks Mr. Lowell, Yeah, I think your right about just reinforcing things. However, when I did Jekyll, I ended up buying some strong umbrellas from Target, and they seemed to hold up okay after the dollar store ones broke. I did the online thing - it does seem a little expensive though. esp. for this current production - i need light colored umbrellas. - so a little harder to find. Yeah, the Brits do seem to have some sturdy umbrellas. I guess I'll keep shopping around and if all else fails, just order online and start reinforcing. I'll let you know how it goes. But I do feel like Broadway prop houses would have a special stock of durable umbrellas for dance numbers. dontcha think? i wish i knew what they know.
	Dicapria http://www.dicapria.com
	IP Logged

Topic: Durable Umbrellas( Topic Closed)