I'm in the middle of construction phase for our high school production Little Women. This is my first time doing backstage and it has been a ton of work but equal enjoyment.

I have some design questions:

1. My main set is the March Family living room (permanent set). I'm trying to choose the wall color and pattern. I'm shooting for a warm feeling in the living room. I chose a yellow (mustard) with dark wood trim. My flats are soft. I tried to replicate a wallpaper pattern by painting it onto the base coat on the soft flats. But, it was a catastrophe. I just could not replicate the pattern (despite hours of attempts). I finally ran out of time (against my paint deadline) and now have solid color yellow walls. I have seen other sets with solid color walls and do not like them. The lack of visual variance with a solid color wall appears flat to me and not so warm. I'm thinking of using a slightly darker color to rag-roll onto the base coat. It would be very subtle. My questions: What is your opinion of solid color walls? If I were to consider a faux finish, I only know how to do it using a glaze medium. I'm trying not to spend anymore money on the set b/c our budget is tight. I would be embarassed to tell you what little money I had to work with to squeeze out this set. But, I am doing it with the use of coupons and luckily a great sale (where I bought my wall paint for 34 cents a gallon).

2. My next question...like I said, I am teaching a high school backstage drama class. All the labor and work has been done by the students. When the kids made the flats, they must have been negligent in making sure they were squared up. I am able to even just eyeball that lack of 90 degree angles. When I assemble the flats, how much of a problem will I have with non-squared flats? I am expecting gaps here and there with the walls. But, i wonder if I could run some tape down the seams. I cannot dutchmen the seams b/c we are performing the production at a venue that we will move into 5 days before opening night. Any tips would be appreciated.


3. I need a few backing flats and do not have time to make anymore regular flats. I do have large cardboard that I have nailed to long pieces of 2x2 (I think). These cardboard pieces seem like they would do as backing flats. IS there any reason I should not use them?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Kim

#1)  I remember using a  roller to paint wallpaper patterns on a set in college.  I found a source online (http://www.rollerstencils.com/patterns.html) but I'm sure there are others out there.  Check with your local home supply store.  They might have something.

If it's feasible (don't know how big your walls are).  Look in the craft section of your local WalMart for a hard foam stamp.  We used one that was a Fleur de lis design.

Last month I did a show and used real wallpaper. It was applied with spray addhesive on the paper and then applied to the luan( already painted from other shows) just like you would for a real house. It lasted for 12 performances over 4 weekends. Upon removal, 95% of it peeled right off. Just remember to spray only the paper.