Nutcracker Christmas Tree
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=4855
Printed Date: 5/06/24 at 6:38pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Nutcracker Christmas Tree
Posted By: YPTHelper
Subject: Nutcracker Christmas Tree
Date Posted: 11/02/10 at 12:23pm
Any ideas on how to make the 'growing' christmas tree in The Nutcracker (the play)?
Stage is 36' wide, 28' - 30' deep, headroom= 19 - 20 feet. Need it to start at 8' - 10' and the grow to 15'- 18'.
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Replies:
Posted By: gelcat
Date Posted: 11/02/10 at 1:07pm
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the basic questions -
do you have a fly system?
can you attach things to the ceiling?
can you attach things to the floor?
what is your budget?
how wide do you want it to be at the bottom when fully extended?
do you just want it to rise, or grow in all directions? ------------- www.actorsguildonline.org Actors Guild of Parkersburg Parkersburg, WV |
Posted By: YPTHelper
Date Posted: 11/02/10 at 9:54pm
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Hi Thanks.
No fly system, but we have pulled things over the batten and we have also hooked pullies up using beam clamps. Out thought was to pull it up via pully, but making the tree is another matter. We can also attach to the deck. Our budget is paultry with most of it going into costumes. We're a children's educational theatre and most things happen through the generosity of parent volunteers and donations. We can probably manage to cover material costs. The director wants the bottom no more than 6 to 8 feet wide. Blocking has kids behind, so we probably don't need much in the back. We've thought of building 180 degrees in the front with the back flat and trying to use a pully system using concentric hoops lying flat on the floor until hoisted. So it should get wider at the bottom.
Does this help?
Thanks.
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Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 11/03/10 at 9:01am
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We have several groups that use a Nutcraker tree made out of Chameleon scrim material (this material can be cut to a rough christmas tree shape, without seaming--or running or curling, can be printed, painted or decorated). If you are interested contact me for more information. ------------- _____________ http://www.studio-productions-inc.com 1-800-359-2964 The theater scrim people |
Posted By: gelcat
Date Posted: 11/03/10 at 4:05pm
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ooohh, I like the idea of the concentric circles - you can do those half circles out of CPVC pipe....
most of the productions I have seen use a flat, accordion folding drop of some sort that maximizes the floor space - either painted muslin, or dimensional soft foam, and the layers accordion for storage.. of course, a groundrow of packages to hide the extra is required
I had had a thought about having a hard piece, with pieces that would extend from the middle out, so instead of just growing, it would expand in all directions...
If you can swing it, put 'candles' on the tree for lights, too... ------------- www.actorsguildonline.org Actors Guild of Parkersburg Parkersburg, WV |
Posted By: DonnaFromCobalt
Date Posted: 12/10/10 at 3:03pm
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Cobalt Studios has 12 growing Nutcracker trees for rent. They are all different with sizes ranging from 14' to 22' high and have a variety of themes. We also have one that is specifically designed for non- tradtional performance spaces (veneues without a fly system). All are extremely easy to use. To view pictures: www.cobaltstudios.net or call 845-583-7025. ------------- Donna Wymore backdrop rental manager Cobalt Studios |
Posted By: KEB54
Date Posted: 12/10/10 at 5:46pm
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We've just used muslin and made a two-dimensional tree. Excess material is just folded on the floor and hidden by presents. When it's time to grow just raise it using a fly system or pulleys. ------------- KEB |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 12/10/10 at 11:35pm
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Good idea Ken a simple solution.
I have done this a couple of times in 'Jack 'n the Beanstalk Panto's, it works well each time.
You can also add branch ribs to the back of the cloth, similar as is done with a sailing sheet. ------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: YPTHelper
Date Posted: 12/11/10 at 8:30am
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Wow, these are all great ideas, however....we have an extremely visual director, who wants us to create a dimensionally REAL tree that grows, as she has made this the focal point of the show.
That said, I am pleased to let everyone know (keeping in mind that our crew is totally parent volunteer, none with theatrical background) we HAVE realized the director's vision. It's hard to explain but we did focus on the real (artificial) tree and the concentric circle idea. One of our volunteer dads created a top portion of the tree (very painstaking) by using a small diameter pipe inserted down into the top of the main tree trunk, adding steel rings to the core, attaching stiff wire branches to these, covering with cut garland and tying it all together with a web of fine black aircraft string. When down, it all colapses into a 9 ft tree, when hoisted from the top by pully, it grows another 6 ft. and for purpose it is a real tree. Again, difficult to explain, but I intend to photograph and video to to share with everyone. We are now in tech so this may be later.
Many thanks again to everyone.
Tony...
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Posted By: DonnaFromCobalt
Date Posted: 7/25/11 at 8:31am
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You can rent Nutcracker Ballet growing Christmas trees backdrops from Cobalt Studios: http://www.cobaltstudios.net - www.cobaltstudios.net .
Cobalt Studios has 12 different trees that are in a variety of themes and sizes.
You can also buy them on line from Tuxedo Junction Fine Art: http://www.tuxedojunctionfineart.com - www.tuxedojunctionfineart.com . They are available in 3 different sizes, a variety of themes and affordable prices. Tuxedo Junction Fine Art also offers a "paint your own" tree where you buy the backdrop and paint it yourself.
------------- Donna Wymore backdrop rental manager Cobalt Studios |