Set Design and Construction: Accidental Set Designer Looking for Direction

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Accidental Set Designer Looking for Direction

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=4280
Printed Date: 10/30/25 at 12:10pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Accidental Set Designer Looking for Direction

Posted By: xanscct
Subject: Accidental Set Designer Looking for Direction
Date Posted: 10/01/09 at 4:50pm

A few years ago, my daughter became involved with a local children's theater, and I raised my hand at the parent meeting at the wrong moment and became the set designer for the show. 16 or 17 shows later, my child has moved on to high school and I'm on the BOD of the theater, and still have a hand in designing the shows. And the theater company doesn't even have a theater--we beg and borrow from local schools for performance and rehearsal space, and are still building sets out of people's garages and U-Hauling them over to the school auditorium. Set design and construction has been very seat-of-your-pants problem solving with not much budget and parent volunteers and insanely fun.

Now for my question: I love the work I have done for this theater with absolutely no technical theater training or background, and would love to learn more and possibly work for a real scene shop or in-house for a community theater. What's my next step? Formal classes? Welding?
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Replies:

Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 10/03/09 at 11:17pm

I'n sure you will be welcomed, with open arms, at any & every community theatre group in your srea.

This is possibly the best way to learn more, without it becoming too formal a training programme.

This is a link, on this site ;- http://www.communitytheater.org/articles/act_di_cr/setdesign.htm - Set Design and Décor -- A 10-Step Program wich will help you.

It may be better if the theatre has it's own venue, as you suggested. Some could have a scenery workshop & storage. But invarably they will build the set on stage or bump in/out at the venue.

If you can give your locality, there is probably members here, who can help or at least piont you in the right direction. Even in regard of the formal training &/or any other info.

-------------
Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

Posted By: nd_cabin
Date Posted: 10/03/09 at 11:39pm

Experience!!! Go work in any theater you can even if not as a SD just working and learning will not only tech you but help you make contacts in the industry. Lastly take pics. look into working on your sketching.