Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup: Grass

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Grass

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Forum Discription: For how-to's and where-can-I-find
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3089
Printed Date: 7/30/25 at 2:04am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Grass

Posted By: Elizabeth
Subject: Grass
Date Posted: 3/31/08 at 10:57pm

I am working on an outdoor scene and am looking for the best way to simulate grass. Indoor/outdoor carpeting is a little beyond our budget, although I did find some for 27 cents per square foot...my stage is 64'X28' - which is about $500 - and then there is the problem of storage. Ideas?

Replies:

Posted By: Nanette
Date Posted: 4/01/08 at 8:17am

Can you paint your stage? I was instructed never to use "real" anything on the floor of your stage as could cause an accident (curl and trip someone) so we were taught to paint everything (including carpets!).

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In a world of margarine, be butter!

Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 4/01/08 at 8:28am

I'd have to agree with Nanette. A green stage will translate as grass to the audience. If you want texture try a green base coat with either a lighter shade or green or yellow put on lightly with a coarse push broom.

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Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse

Posted By: Linda S
Date Posted: 4/01/08 at 8:36am

Agreed, green paint with some texture. If you want you can paint in a few bits of grass growing up the side of some your set pieces. You can add rocks and flowers, especially if you have good faux painter.

Linda

Posted By: Elizabeth
Date Posted: 4/01/08 at 1:15pm

Thanks, the reason for the question is that they won't let us paint the floor...and yes, it can be painted, but it is a newer auditorium, and they don't want it messed up.

Other ideas?

Posted By: Linda S
Date Posted: 4/01/08 at 2:13pm

First idea. Cheap and easy. Leave the floor. Paint grass and flowers ect. on your set pieces where they hit the floor and let the audience fill in the blanks.

Second idea: It maybe more expensive and/or more work then you want, but you could put down a masonite floor. With a similiar problem of doing theater in an historic building we put down a temporary floating masonite floor. First we put down a layer of plastic. Strips off duct tape between the sheets held everything together. Then we fit it between walls, the procensium, anything that would give it structure and keep it from slipping. There is no screwing into the floor or attaching to the walls. All sets are free standing. We did become masters at doing that. Anyway, it works great. We haven't seen the real, very polished, very pristeen wood floor underneath for a long time. Every other year for an historic tour everything has to go back to its original state. The floor was in tip top condition. We label the masonite so we can put it back down again. It's a thought.

Good luck.

Linda

Posted By: TennTeacher
Date Posted: 4/02/08 at 10:47pm

Where did you find grass for 27 cents a square foot?

Posted By: Elizabeth
Date Posted: 4/03/08 at 8:08pm

Thanks, Linda. We went with your first idea...it looks great!!! The kids are a bit disappointed, but were pleasantly pleased with our efforts...and it was overall the best solution for now...although, I like the masonite idea for the future.

TennTeacher, we found it at Menards...and believe it or not, two of my students went into the store to plead our case, and they came down to 20 cents per square foot. Then, I said, "Yes, let's do it!" And then Menards did not have enough of the turf in stock, so all the effort was wasted. Go figure!!! On the flip-side, we would have had to alter a couple dance moves if we went with the turf because there are parts where they slide....wouldn't want rug burns - Ouch!!!