Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: HELP

Message


   ok - long winded question - 
i am a high school teacher, new to set construction but want to actually have something stunning and decent this year for a one act competition piece
 
we need to be able to set it up in 10mins and take down in 5mins (i believe thats the time requirements) something close to that anyways
 
we are doing an adaptation of plato's cave - done in a circus freak show of the 1920's 
 
i need ideas for how the tent could be done - we want the tent to be able to be back lit so shadows can be cast on them at certain times
 
the set has to travel 
 
hmm - what else - 
 
if possible we need the "tent" look to be able to be transformed or moved to make an outside look because there is one point in the play that the main character is outside of the tent seeing the bright beautiful outside world 
 
i know this is alot to ask but any ideas or websites or ANYTHING would be helpful 
 
thank you so much

Author	Message
goddessthree Walk-On Joined: 11/26/09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: HELP - circus tent/scrim shadows Posted: 11/26/09 at 10:09am
	ok - long winded question - i am a high school teacher, new to set construction but want to actually have something stunning and decent this year for a one act competition piece we need to be able to set it up in 10mins and take down in 5mins (i believe thats the time requirements) something close to that anyways we are doing an adaptation of plato's cave - done in a circus freak show of the 1920's i need ideas for how the tent could be done - we want the tent to be able to be back lit so shadows can be cast on them at certain times the set has to travel hmm - what else - if possible we need the "tent" look to be able to be transformed or moved to make an outside look because there is one point in the play that the main character is outside of the tent seeing the bright beautiful outside world i know this is alot to ask but any ideas or websites or ANYTHING would be helpful thank you so much

	IP Logged

Spectrum Celebrity Joined: 4/16/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 176	Posted: 11/27/09 at 12:54am
	I'm not sure this would be "legal" for a UIL competition or something similar, but how about making a couple of "half circle" forms from PVC pipe to slide through a fold-over hem at the top and bottom of the "tent"? They can be formed using 10 foot lengths, coupled if necessary, and heated with a heat gun (inexpensive at Harbor Freight Tools) before bending into the half circle shape. If you know anyone with a pipe bender (professional electricians often have them) you could use 1 inch steel conduit instead. Then it would be a simple matter to hang the half circle "tent" from whatever structure is above (fly system or steel supports). If it all goes up to one single support rope (which would suggest a tent structure), but kept from spinning by anchoring the base with a sand bag or two, it would be simple to rotate it around so the "back" was now the "front" for your exterior scene. This could even be done without anyone being seen moving it around from behind. ...Clear as mud, huh? Well, it's just a suggestion. Good luck with whatever you try.
	Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.
	IP Logged

Set Design and Construction
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Set Design and Construction

Topic: HELP - circus tent/scrim shadows( Topic Closed)