Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Accidental Set Designer Looking for Direction

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A few years ago, my daughter became involved with a local children's theater, and I raised my hand at the parent meeting at the wrong moment and became the set designer for the show.  16 or 17 shows later, my child has moved on to high school and I'm on the BOD of the theater, and still have a hand in designing the shows.  And the theater company doesn't even have a theater--we beg and borrow from local schools for performance and rehearsal space, and are still building sets out of people's garages and U-Hauling them over to the school auditorium. Set design and construction has been very seat-of-your-pants problem solving with not much budget and parent volunteers and insanely fun.

Now for my question:  I love the work I have done for this theater with absolutely no technical theater training or background, and would love to learn more and possibly work for a real scene shop or in-house for a community theater. What's my next step?  Formal classes?  Welding?
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xanscct Walk-On Joined: 10/01/09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Accidental Set Designer Looking for Direction Posted: 10/01/09 at 4:50pm
	A few years ago, my daughter became involved with a local children's theater, and I raised my hand at the parent meeting at the wrong moment and became the set designer for the show. 16 or 17 shows later, my child has moved on to high school and I'm on the BOD of the theater, and still have a hand in designing the shows. And the theater company doesn't even have a theater--we beg and borrow from local schools for performance and rehearsal space, and are still building sets out of people's garages and U-Hauling them over to the school auditorium. Set design and construction has been very seat-of-your-pants problem solving with not much budget and parent volunteers and insanely fun. Now for my question: I love the work I have done for this theater with absolutely no technical theater training or background, and would love to learn more and possibly work for a real scene shop or in-house for a community theater. What's my next step? Formal classes? Welding? < id="gwProxy" ="">< ="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" ="">

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Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 10/03/09 at 11:17pm
	I'n sure you will be welcomed, with open arms, at any & every community theatre group in your srea. This is possibly the best way to learn more, without it becoming too formal a training programme. This is a link, on this site ;- Set Design and Décor -- A 10-Step Program wich will help you. It may be better if the theatre has it's own venue, as you suggested. Some could have a scenery workshop & storage. But invarably they will build the set on stage or bump in/out at the venue. If you can give your locality, there is probably members here, who can help or at least piont you in the right direction. Even in regard of the formal training &/or any other info.
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
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nd_cabin Walk-On Joined: 5/20/09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 10/03/09 at 11:39pm
	Experience!!! Go work in any theater you can even if not as a SD just working and learning will not only tech you but help you make contacts in the industry. Lastly take pics. look into working on your sketching.
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Set Design and Construction
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Set Design and Construction

Topic: Accidental Set Designer Looking for Direction( Topic Closed)