SEUSSICAL PROPS to a good home...
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Forum Discription: For how-to's and where-can-I-find
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3034
Printed Date: 11/23/24 at 5:24pm
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Topic: SEUSSICAL PROPS to a good home...
Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Subject: SEUSSICAL PROPS to a good home...
Date Posted: 3/11/08 at 12:06pm
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Hi friends, I designed the set and lighting for a middle school production of "Seussical Jr." in February. I have several props that are just too cool to trash! If you are doing the show soon, I would be glad to sell you the big props at a VERY cheap price. I just don't have room to store these things...so I would love to see them find a new home! UPDATE AS OF JAN. 1, 2009: ALL ITEMS HAVE BEEN SOLD.
1) Horton's "Egg, Nest and Tree".
A very sturdy and well-built steel-framed tree with spray-foam texture and bright Seussian colors. The practical "egg" opens up to reveal the baby "Elephant Bird" at the end of the show.
See these rehearsal photos-
The style is inspired by Dr. Seuss and my color scheme is intended to compliment the colorful backdrops rented from Kenmark.
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest20.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest20.jpg
My crewmembers, dressed as "Thing 1" and "Thing 2", roll the wagon on stage...(they refused to were their blue mylar "Thing" wigs for this photo!):
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_2266.JPG - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_2266.JPG
The egg is a weight-bearing seat for the actors.
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest19.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest19.jpg
Horton meets Mayzie:
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest14.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest14.jpg
Horton agrees to sit on the egg as the Bird Girls sing"
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest15.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest15.jpg
Horton is sold to the circus:
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest22.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest22.jpg
At the end of the show, the egg cracks open to reveal the cute little Elephant Bird...and the audience screams with delight:
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest16.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest16.jpg
The final courtroom scene:
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest18.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest18.jpg
How it was made-
1) The tree pedistal is a very sturdy 5" wide steel pipe that is welded to two 1/2" steel plates top and bottom. (I previously used this pedistal as part of a steel staircase for "Midsummer Night's Dream" and again for "Return to the Forbidden Planet"...so it is well-tested!) It worked very well for this application:
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest25.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest25.jpg
My welder climbs the ladder to test it. It's very strong. We bolted it to a stock 4'x8' plywood wagon with 2"x6" framing:
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest26.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest26.jpg
The nest at the top was scratch-built from stock steel framework:
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest28.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest28.jpg
2) Next I covered the rebar branches with chicken wire:
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest30.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest30.jpg
The bushes to the left and right of the tree served to hide the "handle bars" for the crew, as well as provide a hiding place for the kid who later appears as the Elephant Bird:
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest29.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest29.jpg
3) Next I used industrial expanding spray foam insulation to cover the chicken wire:
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest35.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest35.jpg
Here, my scenic artist gets her turn at using the spray foam. This was lots of fun! But very expensive. (To cover the tree and bathtub it took three tanks of spray foam, at $250.00 each):
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest34.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest34.jpg
Yay, it's done! At this point the cast thought I was making a "snow creature for Narnia"! The foam dries fast and is ready for paint:
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest02.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest02.jpg
I added rocks at the bottom to mask the stock platform and to match the look of the "Jungle of Nool" backdrop from Kenmark:
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest06.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest06.jpg
The foam is very lightweight and easy to carve, if needed:
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest07.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest07.jpg
The side bushes have holes that hide the handlebars for the crew to push the wagon around the stage during the show:
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest08.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest08.jpg
One bush has a seat for the tiny kid that plays the Elephant Bird at the end of the show. Since Horton's nest never leaves the stage, the kid has to ride in this hiding spot until his cue to climb up and pop out of the egg:
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest10.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest10.jpg
Here is a view of the back side of the tree and nest. The actors climbed up the ladder and sat on the welded egg seat, (which was added later):
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest09.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest09.jpg
The welded egg frame has a hinge on one side so the kid can open it up for his crowd-pleasing appearance:
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest17.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest17.jpg
Overall, this was a very effective prop, and one that is highly crucial to the show:
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest23.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussNest23.jpg
See below for more Seussical props.
Thanks, Dana
------------- Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School |
Replies:
Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Date Posted: 3/18/08 at 11:20am
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2) "Jojo's Motorized Bathtub!"
Another Seussical prop that needs a new home is the Cat in the Hat's "Bathtub". The script did not call for it to be motorized, but hey, I could not resist!!! (Sometimes designers do things just for kicks). As it turned out, the director really liked having the tub motorized for this scene! The audience loved it! At strike, half the cast begged to buy the tub for Halloween or the 4th of July parade!
Photos:
1) The Cat in the Hat makes the tub appear in Whoville. Jojo climbs in and drives it around during the song. http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussTub03.jpg - Click on this. 2) The scene then changes to some pulsating water gobos on a cyclorama as Jojo drives it into the water. Sorry for the blurry http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussTub04.jpg - photo! 3) The scene changes again to the "underwater backdrop" with ultra-violet paint. Dancers in black clothes use fish props painted with Wildfire paint that glows under http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussTub06.jpg - blacklight. 4) By the way, the UV fish backdrop is from Kenmark Backdrops in Kansas. I used a 1000 watt DMX UV cannon, plus 8 fluorescent tubes across the lip of the pit to get the http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/DSCF0511.JPG - cool effect. Here is a brief clip of the tub in motion during our first Tech Rehearsal. I added foam padding to the seat after this test because the hard plastic tire treads rolling on the hard floor made his voice "bumpy". The tub turned out to be a real http://www.tinyurl.com/4wb4j3 - crowd pleaser! How it was built:
1) A fun and simple prop to build. First we got parents to donate three electric Barbie Jeeps. Then we caniballized the parts and attached them to a wooden base. http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussTub10.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussTub10.jpg 2) Then an oval wire frame was welded to the top: http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussTub08.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussTub08.jpg 3) Then I put aluminum window screen over the frame to form the shape of the bathtub: http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussTub11.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussTub11.jpg 4) Then the fun part! We sprayed it will expanding styrofoam insulation.(photo missing). 5) Then a thick coat of full strength Sculpt-or-Coat on the "high traffic areas" and a brushed-on watery coat everywhere else: http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussTub12.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussTub12.jpg 6) The coat of paint also had some Sculpt-or-Coat mixed in, to give it yet another layer of protection. http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussTub02.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussTub02.jpg 7) And I painted the undercarriage red. http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussTub01.jpg - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/SeussTub01.jpg
8) I had to pad the seat with foam so his voice would not quaver from vibration of the plastic tires as he sang his song: http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_3288.JPG - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_3288.JPG
9) I also put a bumper sticker on the back fender that says: "My Other Car is a Jacuzzi". (I don't think the audience saw this, but again, sometimes I do things just for me!) http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_3284.JPG - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_3284.JPG
10) For the finishing touches I added water faucets as the steering wheel; a shower head on a pipe; a lifesaving ring on the back; and a yellow rubber ducky as a hood ornament!
The electric bathtub works great and it's a big crowd pleaser. I hope to sell it cheap to another theatre because I just don't have room to store it anywhere. UPDATE AS OF JAN. 1, 2009: ALL ITEMS HAVE BEEN SOLD. Thanks, Dana ------------- Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School |
Posted By: kydramagirl
Date Posted: 3/27/08 at 10:25pm
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My community theatre may be interested in purchasing your props if you still have them. If you can contact me at mailto:pandajoines@hotmail.com - pandajoines@hotmail.com , I would really appreciate it. ------------- Panda " And all that jazz" |
Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Date Posted: 8/19/08 at 10:13am
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Here are some photos of the other small props that are available for "Seussical":
3) "The Pillberry Bush" - For when Gertrude sees Dr. Dake about a tail. A simple plastic mesh dome with lots of plastic ivy and colored balls on a short trunk made from a carpet tube.
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/DSCF0558.JPG - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/DSCF0558.JPG
4) "The Cat's Palm Frond" - A simple styrofoam leaf on a stick for a brief gag in the "Mayzie in Palm Beach" song.
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/DSCF1026.JPG - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/DSCF1026.JPG
5) "The Seussian TV Screen" - A styrofoam frame covered in cheesecloth and Sculpt-or-Coat for the TV interview gags at the top of the show.
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/DSCF1148.JPG - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/DSCF1148.JPG
6) "The Cat's Piano" - A simple miniature grand piano for a gag by The Cat. It's made of lightweight lauan plywood, foam "keys", and carpet tube legs. (The round rolling wagon is not included...it was struck).
http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_2209.JPG - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_2209.JPG
UPDATE AS OF JAN. 1, 2009: ALL ITEMS HAVE BEEN SOLD. ------------- Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School |
Posted By: alleah13
Date Posted: 8/21/08 at 10:40pm
| I'd love to talk to you about these props as we're doing Seussical Jr for our musical this year. I'm in NJ so NC isn't too off the mark for me. Please contact me at your convenience at alleah13@hotmail.com |
Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Date Posted: 9/26/08 at 3:23pm
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Hello Alleah, here are the measurements for the Seussical tree. From floor to the top of the egg is 9 feet, 9 inches. When you "crack the egg open" and remove the lid, it is 9 feet, 1 inch tall. If you do this AND remove the tree from the rolling platform, it is 8 feet, 4 inches tall. (In other words, the rolling platform is 9 inches high). The "wingspan" of the big leaves is 10 feet wide. But all the leaves will come off, so actually the nest is less than 5 feet wide. My stock wooden platform is 4 feet by 8 feet. Anyway, with a little dismantling, this tree should fit into any large size U-Haul or Ryder rental truck. If you plan to mount Horton's tree in one position on stage, then that will make transporting MUCH easier. Because you will not need the big 4'x8' rolling platform with bushes on it. I added the big bushes merely to hide the two "handle bars" that the crew uses to push the thing around the stage. So if you just mount it right to your stage floor, then you won't need the heavy platform or the fake bushes at all. (In this case I would trash the bushes and save my stock platform). The motorized bathtub is only 6 feet long and a little more than 4 feet wide, and is easy to move. There are four other props available. You can view photos of these in a post above. The Pillberry Bush; the Cat's Palm Frond: the Cat's Piano; and the Seussian TV Screen. I really, really need to get this tree off my stage ASAP because I have a huge production of "Les Miserables" in 5 weeks! Starting next week I have to begin building the giant barricade and turntable! So everything must go!!! We invested about $2,000.00 in steel, spray foam, and paint for these six Seussical items. (This does not include the labor cost to build these, of course, or the cost of the 3 Barbie Jeeps donated to us by parents...there is no charge for any of that). But if you come get these props right away, I will just charge you a token purchase fee to our school of $350.00 for the Tree and Tub together, plus I'll throw in the 4 smaller props for free!
Please get these nice items now and store them at your theater until your production in April. This will give your cast and crew plenty of time to practice with them! Thanks, Dana ------------- Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School |
Posted By: Penncora
Date Posted: 10/02/08 at 6:53pm
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We can give your Seussical props a great home, please call me.
Thanks.
Barbara ------------- Barbara |
Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Date Posted: 10/03/08 at 3:52pm
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OK, but I'm still taking to the NJ lady who needs them for her April production. Maybe you can work out the logisitics with her, depending on your show date and location.
Thanks, Dana
------------- Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School |
Posted By: Penncora
Date Posted: 10/03/08 at 6:35pm
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In particular I am interested in the Seuss backdrop??
as well as the other items, are they available? I would need them for a December event, but can return them for your NJ production in April.
Please call. ------------- Barbara |
Posted By: Penncora
Date Posted: 10/03/08 at 6:36pm
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Can you give me the backdrop size please. ------------- Barbara |
Posted By: alleah13
Date Posted: 10/05/08 at 11:00am
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Barbara,
I'll reach out to you tomorrow (Monday) and see what we can work out.
Alleah
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Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Date Posted: 10/05/08 at 11:21pm
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Barbara, I rented a beautiful package of 7 backdrops from Kenmark for about 3 grand. It was well worth it! They MADE the show!!! One was a painted scrim that I used as a show curtain. And one was an ultra-violet black velour curtain that requires blacklights. The Kenmark staff is very helpful with any questions. I think all the Kenmark drops are outstanding...very vivid and colorful. They replace the need and expense for much of the hard scenery that you might be planning to build. Here is the link... http://www.kenmark-inc.com/pages/packages/packages-seussical.html - http://www.kenmark-inc.com/pages/packages/packages-seussical.html Good luck, Dana ------------- Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School |
Posted By: Nyria
Date Posted: 10/17/08 at 9:51pm
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Just popped in to say - WOW, AMAZING!!!!! ------------- NYRIA |
Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Date Posted: 10/21/08 at 11:17pm
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On it's way!!! My Seussical tree, motorized bathtub, and four other props are on their way to a Sherrie's children's theatre in Tennessee! Then after her production she'll forward them to Barbara in New Jersey for December. And then she will hand them off to Alleah nearby for April. So the props live on! I have the most awesome parent volunteer here! Not only did he help me built the props, but now he is driving them to Tennessee...a 14 hour round trip!!! Wow, what a great "theatre dad"! Here are some pics of the send-off today: First they removed the branches from Horton's tree and wrapped it in plastic to protect it at 60 miles an hour on I-40. http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_3279.JPG - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_3279.JPG Then the crew moved everything outside the theatre. http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_3281.JPG - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_3281.JPG (Yes, sometimes I add jokes to a show that the audience can't even see). http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_3284.JPG - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_3284.JPG The tree is so tall it has to ride in an open U-Haul trailer, while the other stuff will fit in the pick-up. http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_3287.JPG - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_3287.JPG One final pose with the tree before it rides off into the sunset. http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_3295.JPG - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_3295.JPG And off it goes. Who knows what the truckers will be thinking when they see this weird thing on the highway! http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_3298.JPG - http://www.lowell.to/DesignSeuss/IMG_3298.JPG Well, I hope the show goes well in November for the Tennessee bunch. And I hope all the props make it safely to New Jersey too. Good luck with your productions and break a leg! -Dana ------------- Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School |
Posted By: stephanie v
Date Posted: 1/17/09 at 10:49pm
| Hello. I am directing Seussical this February at a middle school in NJ. Are these props still available to rent? I love everything about your set design and am hoping to bring something like it to our school. You could also contact me at mailto:svolino@rahway.net - svolino@rahway.net . Thank you! |
Posted By: SetBuilder
Date Posted: 1/24/09 at 10:10am
 great Seussical props. glad they're getting such good use. any idea where they are now? we're doing Seussical in the VB, VA area this spring and starting production this week ... would love to "recycle."
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Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Date Posted: 1/26/09 at 10:05am
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Hi, I heard from the lady in Tennessee and she said the props worked well and the show was a success. I hope she'll post some pictures someday.
The plan from there was to ship the stuff to New Jersey where the two ladies, mentioned above, each want to use everything for their productions this Winter/Spring. So you will need to get in contact with these other theaters to track it down.
Sorry I can't be of more help, but at this point everything is out of my hands. Good luck and have a great show! -Dana
------------- Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School |
Posted By: bollo
Date Posted: 2/03/09 at 2:37pm
| We are finishing a production of Seussical this weekend in Portland Oregon, and would love to recoup a small part of our costume and props costs. We are doing a photo shoot this weekend- I can get you pictures of what is available. |
Posted By: ehaessler
Date Posted: 2/05/09 at 6:47pm
We are a school in Santa Barbara, CA, and we're doing Seussical in May. I'm interested to see what you have available. Do you have any pictures yet? I hope your show went well! 
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Posted By: bollo
Date Posted: 2/07/09 at 4:42am
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Sorry things have been more crazy than I'd hoped ( five shows in three days)- will have the pics to you by Sunday night.
Thanks
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Posted By: MOMMIEBRIGADE
Date Posted: 2/09/09 at 6:51pm
| Just wanted to let you know that your props are AMAZING! For someone brand new to children's theatre (like me) to be able to see what you have created is a blessing! Thanks for sharing! |
Posted By: gina
Date Posted: 4/14/09 at 1:41am
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BOLO-
We are doing Seussical Jr. in June in Seattle...Are any of your sets and props still available?
Thanks!
Gina
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