How to make Arabian minarets?
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Set Design and Construction
Forum Discription: Post your questions or suggestions about designing or building a set here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2365
Printed Date: 11/23/24 at 8:20pm
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Topic: How to make Arabian minarets?
Posted By: theresa
Subject: How to make Arabian minarets?
Date Posted: 4/20/07 at 7:04pm
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I have volunteered to create 3D minaret's for my kid's school play. Any ideas on an inexpensive way to create the "onion tops" for the minarets? We need several, in a variety of sizes --- the largest having perhaps a diameter of 10-15 ft.
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Replies:
Posted By: biggertigger
Date Posted: 4/22/07 at 3:11pm
The best I could come up with is maybe using a block of styrofoam and cutting and sanding until you have your "onion top". If I can come up with more ideas I let you know.
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The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes.
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Posted By: Spectrum
Date Posted: 4/23/07 at 1:47am
If you need them to be 10 - 15 feet in diameter, this must be one large stage. I'm going to assume you want help with the DOME, but have no problem with the circular base it rests on (a simple 2 X 2 or 2 X 4 structure, covered with cheap paneling or cardboard). What I would suggest is cutting out 8 - 16 identical "rib" pieces (depending on how large the diameter is), profiling the onion dome shape from heavy (corregated) cardboard, or 1/4 inch plywood, or masonite, etc. and positioning them in a circular pattern, joined together at the top. Band them together along the profile down to the base and cover with "chicken wire," shaping it into the gentle curves of the mineret. You may need to link them all together with a wooden substructure if you use plywood or anything with a little weight. Follow this with a layer of good old paper mache and finally paint them with the grays and golds of minerets or however your set is supposed to look.
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Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.
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Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 4/23/07 at 10:01am
I would construct the tops of the minarets using a sturdy wire skeleton with lightweight fabric stretched over them.
The wire can be bent to exactly the shape you desire and the fabric can be starched or sized (with a spray) to become stiff and then painted as you like.
Unless you're doing your performances in an arena or thrust stage, you need only construct HALF the minaret (the half that will face the audience, of course).
This will save time in construction, save money in using less materials, and has the added advantage of saving storage space as your minarets -- when not in use -- can be stacked like coffee cups or cereal bowls.
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"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone
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Posted By: theresa
Date Posted: 4/25/07 at 2:23pm
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Thanks to all!! These are really great suggestions!!
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