Our adviser does not like the idea of using plywood in set construction--he fears its weight and its cost (he doesn't have any problem building frames for the set out of wood, however--clearly). Last year in our production of Sheakespeare Abridged, we used cheap, foam insulation for a wall material ()--unfortunately, it was the type that came creased, so if we didn't paint a stone facade on it, it would of have looked like hell.

I don't want to repeat the foam disaster in our next performance. As I don't really want to get into the cost or work of muslin, we have two options: luaun and cardboard.    We don't really need to attach things to the walls--we think--which is a plus in terms of cardboard, but if we did have to, would luaun be strong enough to support it?

The main reason that I was thinking cardboard rather than a more durable substance was that in my area, cardboard IS cheaper than luaun (I heard it might be more expensive)--around $5 for a 4x8 sheet. Additionally, the school will not provide us with any sort of area to store anything. Our auditorium is used by chorus and band classes year round, so really, at the end of each performance, we have to discard nearly 100% of our set.

What do you think? On a budget of ~$1,700, would luaun really be the way to go if we do a play that requires interior scenes (Arsenic and Old Lace, You Can't Take it With You)--especially bearing in mind that there is a good probability that the flats would have to be tossed at the end of the production run?

Thanks!

Luaun flats work great.  We work almost exclusiveluy with them.  4x8 luaun sheets on a 1x4 frame.  If you have to get rid of them after each performance, why not get in touch with a local theatre and see if they would be interested in the donation of the set units?  You might even be able to work an exchange with them to be able to borrow the flats back next year.

Originally posted by Mr. Lowell   Flats are over-rated.  Never underestimate the audience's ability to fill in the blanks.

I am a traditionalist with muslin sets.  Yes there are various shows that I can use simple suggestive pieces, but then there are others that work better having an actual walled set.  I know you said that you can't store them, but I am sure if you took the time to look you can find a place to store them.  Being in a small town we found that we have used various spaces, rental storage barns,  a cast member's old barn, the basement of a store.  The point being is that cost effective to use sets you can use over and over again instead of re-inventing the wheel.  You'll be surprised who as storage space for you (or even at a discount) if you ask around. 

Cardboard can warp and do weird texture things when you paint it, which can get frustrating very quickly.  If you want to attach anything to a cardboard "wall" you will definately want to add a framing piece behind it that attaches to other wood.  If you use luaun, you can simply add a wood block to the back of the luaun, screwing from the front, and then attach your wall hanging piece there... as long as it's not too heavy that will do the trick.