Set Design and Construction: Revolving Sage

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Revolving Sage

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=3648
Printed Date: 11/24/24 at 5:47am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Revolving Sage

Posted By: Harpo
Subject: Revolving Sage
Date Posted: 12/09/08 at 10:15pm

Am embarking on a journey to direct Little Shop of Horrors. To improve the pace of the show, I need to build a 16 foot diameter (preferably motorized!) revolving stage on a shoestring budget. Suggestion please?

Thanks!

Harpo

Replies:

Posted By: ttlss
Date Posted: 12/09/08 at 11:18pm

We have a similar situation with A Christmas Carol. We took 3 of our stock 4 x 8 flats. Attached them to a 4 foot triangle on a turntable. I found roller ball casters at Great Lakes Casters. I put the casters at the ends of the flats. This allows us to start with 3 scenes pret-set. The painted drops are velcro'd on and easily removed while the previous scene is running. We are using two of these and two 4x4x4x8 triangle pillars. This gives us 24 feet of scenery change in seconds. This does not allow for props to travel on to the stage. That will be done by players or crew.

Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 12/09/08 at 11:25pm

There are a few clues in previous topic that may help! http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2740&PID=13224#13224 - http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2740&PID=13224#13224

Also what it is describing is a 'Periactoi' [Medecci flats] which would be an easier alternative, to that of a 'revolve'.

However to motorise a revolve is another kettle of fish! Normally it's better to either use a winch & operate it manually. The winch is easy enough, by the use of either cable or hemp around the circumference & thru pulleys up to an improvised drum winch.

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

Posted By: pfinn
Date Posted: 12/12/08 at 4:10pm

There are three ways to automate a turntable. Cable, Chain and Friction.

Friction involves a tire connected to a motor and jammed into the side of the revolve

The best was is a chain driven. See here for a detailed explanation.

http://ocw.mit.edu/NR/rdonlyres/Music-and-Theater-Arts/21M-735Spring2004/52C6611E-1664-4144-9C3E-C924994241A5/0/drkp_proj.pdf

Cable or rope can be used with a winch, either manual or motorized.

Type you need depends on your budget, turntable size, and technical ability.

Posted By: Spectrum
Date Posted: 12/19/08 at 3:35am

I would think motorizing the turntable only invites potential trouble to an already hectic scene change. Using an array of FIXED (not swivel) casters underneath, the turntable could be manually turned by one or two people using rods with hooks that latch on to the turntable at base points. If you're concerned about the audience seeing people move the revolve, you could have them do it from the upstage side only. We built a 40 foot turntable with 10 different sets on it for THE WOMEN back in 2003 and it worked very well. We had 4 people manually turning it into position.

There is a movie of it (during construction) turning through all 10 sets at:

http://www.mctonline.org/Season%20Bill%20Archive/Women/Archive40-2.htm - http://www.mctonline.org/Season%20Bill%20Archive/Women/Archive40-2.htm (Go to the bottom of the page.)

Be aware it is a 2MB file, so a DSL or cable connection is recommended.

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Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 12/19/08 at 5:08pm

I agree with Spectrum about leaving the Revolve manually operated, as you will be inviting a myriad of problems of control. Leave it as a manual operation, as your on a shoestring budget.

With manual you have far better & infinite control, as to speed, direction & with the safety aspects.

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