Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Trap door

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   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!

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Karin Lead Joined: 12/27/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 47	Topic: Trap door - Wizard of Oz 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!

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MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	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.
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
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jungle16jim Walk-On Joined: 7/16/08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	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.
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David McCall Celebrity Joined: 1/28/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 299	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.
	David M
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alwill Walk-On Joined: 11/12/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	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.
	Al Lake City Community Theatre
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mvp1114 Walk-On Joined: 1/26/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	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
	schlechy techy
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gaftpres Star Joined: 11/14/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 80	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. smirk1001@yahoo.com thank you.
	Old volunteers never die, they just get recycled!
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paulaj Walk-On Joined: 4/04/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	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
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mvp1114 Walk-On Joined: 1/26/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 4/05/10 at 8:34pm
	Paula - Email me directly @ 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
	schlechy techy
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alwill Walk-On Joined: 11/12/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	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 @ alwill@ftc-i.net and I will be happy to share what I can. Al Williamson Lake City Community Theatre Lake City, SC
	Al Lake City Community Theatre
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Set Design and Construction
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Topic: Trap door - Wizard of Oz( Topic Closed)
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