I'm new, and I hope this isn't disscused previously. I need to design the set for a olmost professional production of Singin' in the Rain. The school has an amazing buget and a huge stage, not to mention a proffesional sound system, the only problem is we have no fly space at all! I need some ideas if anyone has any.

                                 Thanks, Stephen

Truck the set pieces, on a false stage with possibly a revolve inset - Also add an over head water reticulation spray system, garden type, the run off can be handled & drained off, from the false stage. Not difficult to engineer, as it may sound, with a bit of lateral thinking!

Dude,

If you are going to use a revolve, may I make the suggestion of lubricating the parts daily during the performance run?  There is nothing worse, than getting stuck on stage, on a revolve!

Your right about on going maintenance of stage equipment. Far too many theatre groups tend to neglect any basic checks with set pieces, electric?s or moving systems.

Although I have never, as yet, had a revolve problem, through a lack of lubrication. Mainly because I always use sealed bearings on castors & the central pivot assembly, usually being a vehicle stub axle, which has sealed bearings fitted.

But it is a very good point, if you opt for using elcheapo castors, that rely on the wheel revolving on a steal shaft with a plastic bush.

A lot of equipment used on stage are of a gaff construction, because of time or budget constraints bodgied up - to make do, as a temporary measure - which over time have become a permanent fixture.

It is good policy to regularly check, repair or replace equipment, especially any moving or electrical equipment.

Thanks for all your suggestions, as far as I know right now We'll could go for anything, but it was nice to hear some seasoned prfessional's opinions. One more question though, I want to find a backdrop of the old hollywoodland sign like they have in the off-broadway set. If anyone could point me toword a place to rent one, I'd be very appricitive.

Thanks in advance, PM123

Thanks for the site, tristanrobin. Now for a few more problems:

   >How the chinese theater set should be made, and placed on stage. I really want it to be a big set, and highly intricate, it is the first and one of the last things the audiance sees onstage. (What I have planed right now is a large two piece "wall" that would be pushed to midstage. The fit as a fiddle set would be on the reverse side and both pieces would be turned during the flashback.)

   >How to do the look of the side stage, and for that matter, how to pull off the interior of the chinese theater.

   >Broadway melody causes some issue. I really want to have a baton lower the "signs" above the stage and then move in two pieces from left and right stage to fill in the sides. Then I want a lite semi-circular staired platform with a lite back. (man I'm asking for alot)

I need help!!! Thanks in advance,PM123

If you hang the sign from a tab track, you will be able to move a piece to OP & the other to PS at the same time, as well as fly it in & out. The same as a tabulating curtain!