Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Painting Stage Floor

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John C
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Topic: Painting Stage Floor
Posted: 2/25/04 at 12:23pm

Our theater is located in an old school building that we rent from the local school district. We have just received permission to sand the stage floor and wish to paint it black. My question is whether it is better to paint it with a flat black paint or if a very dark stain would be better. Anyone have any experience in this area or have any suggestions? Thanks

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dboris
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Joined: 2/10/04
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Posted: 2/25/04 at 12:36pm

I always paint my stages flat black. A satin, although not that glossy, will still reflect lights, and reduce traction. Once or twice we have painted the stage gloss black where it was appropriate for the show.

Dan

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Aimee
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Posted: 3/01/04 at 8:26pm

For the stage at our high school we use a fire retardant flat black paint. It is a bit thicker, but covers VERY well. We also use it on the walls as well. Godd luck!

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KathyS
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Posted: 3/05/04 at 11:41pm

What about the color of dust? A flat, taupe color that would camouflage dirt and tracks which are ever-present? Has anybody tried something like that?

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Doug
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Posted: 3/06/04 at 10:44am

Our "normal" color for the stage is a flat black but we routinely paint it for each play. One of our volunteers paints it to look like boards. He uses two slightly different sand colors and it really comes out lookling like a real wood floor. It takes him a lot of time so we don't paint under carpets and furniture.

If we have an outside scene, we usually don't paint the stage floor - we haven't found anything that looks real.

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Gaafa
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Posted: 3/26/04 at 1:48am

When I paint the stage black, I always use a flat black mixed with a small tint of blue paint. Unfortunately most plastic black paints, have a brown or umber base to them, which shows thru as a residual colour after ware. When I roll it on I always paint in a very random way, to avoid creating a patten. which can show up under lights. Also when it is mopped ,I add a small can of Coke to the water. The sugar content gives it a non slip surface. This is especial good for dance performances or ballet, instead of the dancers stepping into a resin box off stage, before they go on. (works on dance mats & tarquette as well) Also it cuts down the mess the resin leaves behind.

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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Beach
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Posted: 5/04/04 at 8:34pm

Paint it with semigloss Benjamin Moore Paint.

It has to be a good quality paint, and it has to be semigloss - much easier to keep clean, and scenery slides much easier on it than flat paint. our community theater group uses a beautiful circa 1929 middle school auditorium for our productions, and this is what we use.

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Gaafa
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Posted: 5/05/04 at 12:07am

G?donya Beach - What works best for you, is the way to go!
However as every space is different?
The main hiccup with using semi or any gloss paint, is the bounce you will get from the lighting - this is dependant upon the logistics of the lights used & audience sight lines. Of course if blackouts are required for shift/moves, this may also prove difficult. As any stay light will reflect even with black, more so than with flat/matt paint.

As you said it was easier to move set pieces because they slide easier! May I suggest, that you attach old carpet strips, to the under side of the piece , rather than to have a slippery stage floor!

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JDHaller
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Joined: 4/21/04
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Posted: 5/05/04 at 11:40pm

My college found a way to get double duty out of the stage floor.

They sanded and varnished the stage floor so it really was a beautiful wood floor and we didn't have to paint woodgrain.

On top of that they laid sheets of luahn, taped the seams with a paper tape and painted THAT any color they wanted, whenever. It stored easily and worked out great.

Thanks, John.

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