I'm taking Acting II in my local community college and we're doing the show U.T.B.U. (Unhealthy to be Unpleasent). Since it's a class we're also responsible to construct the set. Well we just got our scripts and a drawing of a suitable set and were informed that we can't start construction until March 1st because of Arsenic and Old Lace running the last two weekends in Feb.

Our Director is kind of freaking out saying how such and such show used 300 hours to make thier set and they weren't also rehearsing and junk. I think we can do it.

We'll be stealing a lot of the arsenic set from when they do strike since we'll begin the next day. it's not too terribly complicated. I think dressing the set will actually take longer. It's got 4 doors and a large window (bout 8 feet wide) that someone (me) will be falling out of. We figure it to be about 20 flats most of which are standard 8X4.

Based on you're experience...how long do you think it'd take to contstruct something like that are should be really be all that worried? We'll start constructing it March 1st and the show opens April 22nd.

Thanks in advance!

Hey thanks...actually I think they use the soft flats, but they would have to have some TV flats as you call em for the doors right?

Anyways, thanks for the pep talk and the 6 Ps, i'll be sure to mention them. Right now we're rehearsing on a smaller scale taped off set untill we can start construction so I think that just adds to our positives. You can always expand right?

HAHA, that's a another thing *he* doesn't like it when I used the expression "pull it off". When I say pull it off...I mean pull it off without a hitch...I think he's thinking "pull it off by the skin of our teeth". That's theatre though right?

BTW...LOVE the 6 P's. I think I'll be writing those on the little chalk board before the next rehearsal.

You can make this happen.  Your director is one of "those" theatre folks who actually enjoys living in crisis!  This director will probably freak out well into the final curtain call! 

The 6 P's are a great guideline.  By being prepared you can actuall get some of your work done during the "strike".

How much of the "Arsenic" set are you using?  Is it in the same space?  If you can make it work, and your show is in the same space my suggestion is to consider how you can use the (re-use) the Arsenic set with minimal changes.  I'm not familiar with U.T.B.U., but Arsenic is a standard sort of thing with windows, doors and etc. and should have all of your basic parts.   I've done two shows where we recycled sets by moving doors and simply re-arranging flats. (In the same space, this would be more difficult if you have to move.)  

For one show we simply covered over a door and moved the window from left or right.  Some paint, stage dressing and change of furniture and voila, 1965 New York apartment to 18th century drawing room!  

Good luck!

As your using soft flats, while your eyeing off the set, of A&OL, just take note of any skin movement & shaking, when a door is closed &/or opened!

If there is, this can be easily fixed, during your Bump In!

Just another little job, but worth, taking out the time to do it! 

Just a thought!