Set Design and Construction: Trap door

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Trap door - Wizard of Oz

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Set Design and Construction
Forum Discription: Post your questions or suggestions about designing or building a set here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4313
Printed Date: 5/13/24 at 9:18pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Trap door - Wizard of Oz

Posted By: Karin
Subject: Trap door - Wizard of Oz
Date Posted: 11/04/09 at 8:55pm

I would like to build a box with a trap door for the scene when the witch melts. Th "box" could be either an extension of the stage or a large prop on stage. Please share any ideas on how to go about this. Thanks!

Replies:

Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 11/05/09 at 7:50am

The one time I did it without a trap door "in" the stage we used a "wagon" (platform on wheels) as part of the witch's chamber. It provided one of the scene walls as well as a stairway that took her up to a throne on a platform that was about four to five feet off the main floor.The throne had a trap door at its base and a drop down seat. when she meleted, she steped back into the throne area (which was covered in black cloth) the seat was down, the door open and a tech waiting to help her down.

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Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

Posted By: jungle16jim
Date Posted: 11/05/09 at 4:07pm

The first thing to consider is will the door just be a hole that is never closed, a door that opens out, or a door that opens in (so it could be opened while the piece is onstage. One that opens out is easiest and safest. Simply hinge and put 2x4 bracing half on the permanent 3/4 ply and half under the door. Doing one that opens in will be far harder to brace and will probably require removable arms secured underneath.

Posted By: David McCall
Date Posted: 11/06/09 at 11:12am

When we did it we built the trap into a platform as well. I had a 4' step ladder under the front edge of the trap and the door swung from the back edge of the trap. The trap was secured by 4 latches until the witch was in place. Once the door was open a stagehand waited for her to put her first foot into the hole and guided her foot to the first step on the ladder. Then she put the next foot down and so forth. The stagehand guided her feet until she was most of the way into the hole. I made the platform in such a way that the bottom the top surface of the platform was exactly the height of the step ladder and bolted the ladder to the top platform. That minimized the distance she had to step and made it feel secure.

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David M

Posted By: alwill
Date Posted: 11/12/09 at 10:25am

I like to try to surprise the audience once in a while and this one did the trick. I made a hinged trapped door that was controlled by a manual hydraulic jack so the door could slowly open and the witch simply slid into the "box"(throne). At the same time, the back of the throne was lowered kind of like the witch was flushed down a toilet. For added effect I used a fog machine inside the throne. What was really neat about all this was that the witch's throne was on wheels and was moved around all over stage during the scene. Absolutely noone expected to see her disappear.

Got a standing ovation for this one. Isn't set building fun?!?!?!!!?

I still have this piece if anyone is interested.

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Al
Lake City Community Theatre

Posted By: mvp1114
Date Posted: 11/20/09 at 7:45pm

We used a box platform with a trap cut into it - the door was there as a supported part of the floor for most of the scenes, but removed and a hydraulic "lift table" (see northerntool.com) that lowered the witch nicely into the hole. Her dress pooled around the edges and the hat stayed on top after she "melted."

Mike

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schlechy techy

Posted By: gaftpres
Date Posted: 1/19/10 at 10:36am

Al, I am most definately interested in your set piece. I am directing Oz this summer and to quote you "try to surprise the audience" as much as possible. If you could tell me where you are? or if you would like to sell, rent or loan this piece or just the concept drawings for us to imitate what you created. mailto:smirk1001@yahoo.com - smirk1001@yahoo.com thank you.

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Old volunteers never die, they just get recycled!

Posted By: paulaj
Date Posted: 4/04/10 at 3:36pm

Al:

We will be doing Oz in October 2010. I would be interested in seeing picutres of your trap and/or renting/buying/ or getting the drawings for such. Thanks.

Paula in Illinois

Posted By: mvp1114
Date Posted: 4/05/10 at 8:34pm

Paula -

Email me directly @ mailto:mvp1114@ameritech.net - mvp1114@ameritech.net

I'll send a drawing - don't know if I have pix anymore but I can certainly point you to the lift table unit and send a drawing.

Mike

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schlechy techy

Posted By: alwill
Date Posted: 4/15/10 at 10:32pm

Paula, I apologize for the delay in answering you, but we had just finished our production and I was (and still am) wayyyyy behind at my real job! Also, the witch's throne and all the rest of our WIZ props are currently out on rental. They are due to be back next week. Needless tosay, we will rent or sell any of our set pieces tht we have saved. I can provide a few pictures of the piece from our WIZ production, but any drawings/plans etc don't exist. I just design it as I go. Contact me directly @ mailto:alwill@ftc-i.net - alwill@ftc-i.net and I will be happy to share what I can.

Al Williamson

Lake City Community Theatre

Lake City, SC

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Al
Lake City Community Theatre

Posted By: little_owl
Date Posted: 4/18/10 at 4:36pm

A couple years ago while working on the Foreigner, we had a trap with a hydraulic lift and a fan beneath the stage to make their costume blow up while they slid out of it and went beneath the stage.

Posted By: paulaj
Date Posted: 4/19/10 at 10:42am

Thank you This mightbe doable for us.

Posted By: dbeine11
Date Posted: 4/20/10 at 4:20pm

Thanks for all the great ideas. We are doing Wizard in July 2010 and I can't wait to try one of these ideas for the melting witch.

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Di

Posted By: Asher_twloha
Date Posted: 8/31/10 at 10:18am

How I did it for my high school was I built a throne and it had two pieces of plywood cut at 45 degree angles and then had a top piece of plywood fastened with door hinges and a bathroom lock, have someone under it by being behind it and you need someone flexable. it is very easy ask me for more info if you need it.

Posted By: flyweed
Date Posted: 9/03/10 at 11:31am

we had a bridge going in and out of the witches castle..in this bridge we put a trap door that was hinged on one side, and used two small hydraulic pistons "like on a cars hatchback" it worked out really well

Dan