Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: questions about remodeling old theater space

Author

Message

eskrigian
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 8/21/10
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4

Topic: questions about remodeling old theater space
Posted: 8/21/10 at 4:14pm

I am remodeling a large old theater space on a limited budget. 25 foot ceilings, seats 150. What color should I paint the walls? And do I use high gloss, semi-gloss or flat? for that matter is there a specific brand/type of paint I should use?

I also need a curtain for the stage. Is it possible to buy a used curtain or best to have one made? Any suggestions on best place to do this?

Thanks!

eskrigian

IP Logged

JoeMc
Celebrity

Joined: 3/13/06
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 832

Posted: 8/23/10 at 12:11am

I would use matt flat {[latex] which gives also a depth of colour} paint to reduce any light bounce.

As for the House 'rag' I'd first get a quote on a new one & then hunt for a second hand curtain as a price comparison. However I'd say you may have only 2 chances of finding a 2nd hand curtain, in good nick - none 'n Buckleys. As it's not something that is replaced that much in theatre. But you can be lucky from time to time!

Edited by JoeMc - 8/23/10 at 12:24am

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

IP Logged

eskrigian
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 8/21/10
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4

Posted: 8/23/10 at 8:31am

Thanks Joe! I've never remodeled a theater before and I'm struggling. One last question... the stage walls, should they be painted black?

eskrigian

IP Logged

vickifrank
Celebrity

Joined: 9/21/07
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 332

Posted: 8/23/10 at 9:28am

We happen to have a used grand drape 22' x 55' in Blue. Very nice shape. Contact me if interested.

_____________

http://www.studio-productions-inc.com
1-800-359-2964

The theater scrim people

IP Logged

eskrigian
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 8/21/10
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4

Posted: 8/23/10 at 10:11am

Thanks Vicki, will have to double check dimensions. Can you give me a ballpark with regard to price for the curtain?

eskrigian

IP Logged

David McCall
Celebrity

Joined: 1/28/09
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 299

Posted: 8/23/10 at 10:20am

It depends on the type of theater. Generally the backstage areas are painted black, but the auditorium usually isn't. The exception is what we call a "black box theater" where the auditorium and the stage are all in one room. Often a "black box" is designed with the idea that the whole room can be re-configured to fit the needs of the show.

In the case of a black box, you want the flattest/blackest paint you can find. A more conventional theater would normally have a slightly more interesting paint scheme. Perhaps fairly muted colors like a dull maroon and a medium to darkish gray.

David M

IP Logged

JoeMc
Celebrity

Joined: 3/13/06
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 832

Posted: 8/23/10 at 10:22am

Sorry Lena I assumed it was the auditorium walls you asked about!

As for the stage walls black is fine, however I get them to add a shot of tint/litre of cobalt blue, when the paints being mixed at the hardware shop.

Any paint left over can be used on the stage deck, except I add some white wood glue into the paint, which extends the wear on the painted stage decking surface.

Further I apply the paint using a kitchen squeezy mop, rather than a paint roller. I find this uses less paint & you don't get any of the roller spray. Also it is cheaper & simpler to just dispose of the replacable foam head after use.

http://www.oates.com.au/ProductDisplay.aspx?Product=MS-015

Edited by JoeMc - 8/25/10 at 10:51pm

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

IP Logged

eskrigian
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 8/21/10
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4

Posted: 8/23/10 at 10:42am

Thanks Joe AND David! What a help you've been. I know I said the last question I asked would be the last question. But I lied. I will be back!

Thanks again...

eskrigian

IP Logged

Theatermama
Star
Star

Joined: 7/23/10
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 60

Posted: 8/27/10 at 8:30am

If you are using black - either make sure you write down the exact type of paint and color you had mixed or get a couple extra gallons for repaints. Blacks look very different - we recently painted over some black walls and you could see every brush stroke that didn't completely cover the old black - makes for a much bigger job later. We paint our walls sometimes as "SET" and then need to repaint and also you paint the floor a lot.

Liked the tip about putting wood glue in the floor paint.

IP Logged

JoeMc
Celebrity

Joined: 3/13/06
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 832

Posted: 8/27/10 at 9:27pm

Your right Shielaabout the different hues of black paint, which is dependant upon the manufacture process.

Over the years I have found a lot tend to wear with a brownish tinge to the washed out scuffed traffic areas.

Thhe cobalt blue added to the black paint helps to diguise these areas fairly efectivly, also the bluish tint assists when the show backstage is in blue mode & tends to offer an extended blueish reflection of any work safety lighting.

The Squeezy mobs are great for painting on flush surgaces, we came across the idea by chance, as we couldn't find the paint rollers & ones we did had not been cleaned after use. So we raided the galley & found a couple of squeezy mops along with replacement foam heads, so we used them & did the in half the time & no mess! Using the paint roller trays made it easy requiring a lot less paint overall.

The rule of the black 'n blue thumb nail I use for the auditoruum colours, in line with Davids excelent suggestion, is attempt to stick toa 60, 30, 10% colour scheme.

Edited by JoeMc - 8/27/10 at 9:45pm

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

IP Logged

Other Topics
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Other Topics

Topic: questions about remodeling old theater space( Topic Closed)
	Page of 2 Next >>

Author	Message
eskrigian Walk-On Joined: 8/21/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Topic: questions about remodeling old theater space Posted: 8/21/10 at 4:14pm
	I am remodeling a large old theater space on a limited budget. 25 foot ceilings, seats 150. What color should I paint the walls? And do I use high gloss, semi-gloss or flat? for that matter is there a specific brand/type of paint I should use? I also need a curtain for the stage. Is it possible to buy a used curtain or best to have one made? Any suggestions on best place to do this? Thanks!
	eskrigian

	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 8/23/10 at 12:11am
	I would use matt flat {[latex] which gives also a depth of colour} paint to reduce any light bounce. As for the House 'rag' I'd first get a quote on a new one & then hunt for a second hand curtain as a price comparison. However I'd say you may have only 2 chances of finding a 2nd hand curtain, in good nick - none 'n Buckleys. As it's not something that is replaced that much in theatre. But you can be lucky from time to time! Edited by JoeMc - 8/23/10 at 12:24am
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

eskrigian Walk-On Joined: 8/21/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 8/23/10 at 8:31am
	Thanks Joe! I've never remodeled a theater before and I'm struggling. One last question... the stage walls, should they be painted black?
	eskrigian
	IP Logged

vickifrank Celebrity Joined: 9/21/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 332	Posted: 8/23/10 at 9:28am
	We happen to have a used grand drape 22' x 55' in Blue. Very nice shape. Contact me if interested.
	_____________ http://www.studio-productions-inc.com 1-800-359-2964 The theater scrim people
	IP Logged

eskrigian Walk-On Joined: 8/21/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 8/23/10 at 10:11am
	Thanks Vicki, will have to double check dimensions. Can you give me a ballpark with regard to price for the curtain?
	eskrigian
	IP Logged

David McCall Celebrity Joined: 1/28/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 299	Posted: 8/23/10 at 10:20am
	It depends on the type of theater. Generally the backstage areas are painted black, but the auditorium usually isn't. The exception is what we call a "black box theater" where the auditorium and the stage are all in one room. Often a "black box" is designed with the idea that the whole room can be re-configured to fit the needs of the show. In the case of a black box, you want the flattest/blackest paint you can find. A more conventional theater would normally have a slightly more interesting paint scheme. Perhaps fairly muted colors like a dull maroon and a medium to darkish gray.
	David M
	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 8/23/10 at 10:22am
	Sorry Lena I assumed it was the auditorium walls you asked about! As for the stage walls black is fine, however I get them to add a shot of tint/litre of cobalt blue, when the paints being mixed at the hardware shop. Any paint left over can be used on the stage deck, except I add some white wood glue into the paint, which extends the wear on the painted stage decking surface. Further I apply the paint using a kitchen squeezy mop, rather than a paint roller. I find this uses less paint & you don't get any of the roller spray. Also it is cheaper & simpler to just dispose of the replacable foam head after use. http://www.oates.com.au/ProductDisplay.aspx?Product=MS-015 Edited by JoeMc - 8/25/10 at 10:51pm
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

eskrigian Walk-On Joined: 8/21/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 8/23/10 at 10:42am
	Thanks Joe AND David! What a help you've been. I know I said the last question I asked would be the last question. But I lied. I will be back! Thanks again...
	eskrigian
	IP Logged

Theatermama Star Joined: 7/23/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 60	Posted: 8/27/10 at 8:30am
	If you are using black - either make sure you write down the exact type of paint and color you had mixed or get a couple extra gallons for repaints. Blacks look very different - we recently painted over some black walls and you could see every brush stroke that didn't completely cover the old black - makes for a much bigger job later. We paint our walls sometimes as "SET" and then need to repaint and also you paint the floor a lot. Liked the tip about putting wood glue in the floor paint.
	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 8/27/10 at 9:27pm
	Your right Shielaabout the different hues of black paint, which is dependant upon the manufacture process. Over the years I have found a lot tend to wear with a brownish tinge to the washed out scuffed traffic areas. Thhe cobalt blue added to the black paint helps to diguise these areas fairly efectivly, also the bluish tint assists when the show backstage is in blue mode & tends to offer an extended blueish reflection of any work safety lighting. The Squeezy mobs are great for painting on flush surgaces, we came across the idea by chance, as we couldn't find the paint rollers & ones we did had not been cleaned after use. So we raided the galley & found a couple of squeezy mops along with replacement foam heads, so we used them & did the in half the time & no mess! Using the paint roller trays made it easy requiring a lot less paint overall. The rule of the black 'n blue thumb nail I use for the auditoruum colours, in line with Davids excelent suggestion, is attempt to stick toa 60, 30, 10% colour scheme. Edited by JoeMc - 8/27/10 at 9:45pm
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged