Choreography, Dance & Movement for Theater: Appearing Genie in Aladdin

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Appearing Genie in Aladdin

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Choreography, Dance & Movement for Theater
Forum Discription: For the dancers and choreographers in community theater
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5248
Printed Date: 4/19/24 at 5:55pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Appearing Genie in Aladdin

Posted By: Kim L.
Subject: Appearing Genie in Aladdin
Date Posted: 1/19/12 at 10:19am

I am directing a middle school production of Aladdin and am using very simple staging. I need to get the Genie to appear on stage after Aladdin rubs the lamp. I was thinking of flashing the lights and having the Genie run to his spot on stage. But I didn't know if there was an old stage trick that could be used. If you have any ideas, please share.

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Kim

Replies:

Posted By: David McCall
Date Posted: 1/19/12 at 1:34pm

We had some old trunks "full of treasure" int the cave for the genie to hide behind until needed. At the point that the genie needed to appear we fired a very small CO2 powered confetti cannon that created about an 8' cloud of silver confetti that fluttered to the ground as the genie stepped out from behind a trunk.

The effect was perfect except that the cannon they sent us was defective and it didn't work very reliably. As a back-up we had a small sears 19.2 volt blower/vacuum that we stuffed the nozzle with confetti and used the blower mode to shoot the confetti That worked well as a backup. By the second night we wound up using both at the same time. That way we got a little extra in case the cannon failed and at least we got something if it didn't. At any rare, the confetti did the trick. The method of delivery will be the challenge. And of course the clean-up. Expect to find confetti around for at least months :-)

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David M

Posted By: Kim L.
Date Posted: 1/22/12 at 5:40pm

Does one need to be trained or certified to use a confetti cannon?

Thanks for the idea!

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Kim

Posted By: David McCall
Date Posted: 1/22/12 at 7:33pm

Not that I know of, but there might be restrictions in some jurisdictions. The one we used was small and intended to be hidden inside of floral arrangements at a banquet or other event needing glitz.

You may not even need the cannon. A small leaf blower stuffed with confetti or eve a handful tossed by the genie. How about blowing confetti out of a tube (paper towel roll sized).

The confetti they loaded for me were about 1/2"x 1". I felt that 1/2" squares might have been better.

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David M

Posted By: Kim L.
Date Posted: 1/22/12 at 7:39pm

Thanks a lot!!!!

Kim

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Kim