Set Design and Construction: HELP - circus tent/scrim shadows

HELP - circus tent/scrim shadows

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=4344
Printed Date: 11/23/24 at 4:03pm
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Topic: HELP - circus tent/scrim shadows

Posted By: goddessthree
Subject: HELP - circus tent/scrim shadows
Date Posted: 11/26/09 at 10:09am

ok - long winded question -

i am a high school teacher, new to set construction but want to actually have something stunning and decent this year for a one act competition piece

we need to be able to set it up in 10mins and take down in 5mins (i believe thats the time requirements) something close to that anyways

we are doing an adaptation of plato's cave - done in a circus freak show of the 1920's

i need ideas for how the tent could be done - we want the tent to be able to be back lit so shadows can be cast on them at certain times

the set has to travel

hmm - what else -

if possible we need the "tent" look to be able to be transformed or moved to make an outside look because there is one point in the play that the main character is outside of the tent seeing the bright beautiful outside world

i know this is alot to ask but any ideas or websites or ANYTHING would be helpful

thank you so much

Replies:

Posted By: Spectrum
Date Posted: 11/27/09 at 12:54am

I'm not sure this would be "legal" for a UIL competition or something similar, but how about making a couple of "half circle" forms from PVC pipe to slide through a fold-over hem at the top and bottom of the "tent"? They can be formed using 10 foot lengths, coupled if necessary, and heated with a heat gun (inexpensive at Harbor Freight Tools) before bending into the half circle shape. If you know anyone with a pipe bender (professional electricians often have them) you could use 1 inch steel conduit instead. Then it would be a simple matter to hang the half circle "tent" from whatever structure is above (fly system or steel supports). If it all goes up to one single support rope (which would suggest a tent structure), but kept from spinning by anchoring the base with a sand bag or two, it would be simple to rotate it around so the "back" was now the "front" for your exterior scene. This could even be done without anyone being seen moving it around from behind. ...Clear as mud, huh? Well, it's just a suggestion. Good luck with whatever you try.

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