water on stage/pools ADVICE NEEDED
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=4460
Printed Date: 11/23/24 at 6:26pm
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Topic: water on stage/pools ADVICE NEEDED
Posted By: clairelightfoot
Subject: water on stage/pools ADVICE NEEDED
Date Posted: 2/08/10 at 9:48am
hey
has anyone got any advice for putting 'swimming pools' on stage.
Im designing an adaptation of the women of trachis of which its necessary to have a swimming pool in act 2.
Im thinking 8x4 and only a ft or so deep. Then i can deck the whole stage and replace one panel with a tank of some description. However as I haven't used water before I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice that they could share with me.
thanks.
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Replies:
Posted By: David McCall
Date Posted: 2/08/10 at 10:25am
You are right to be concerned about water on stage. Most stages are built of wood, and wood will warp if it gets wet. Then your wagons will be harder to move and may even bind up if the warping is too bad. You can cover everything with plastic, but there will usually be a leak somewhere, and the water will find it. Just be very careful. If people are going to go into the pool, then you need to consider heating, treating, and filtering. Room temperature water is going to feel cold to most people.
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David M
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Posted By: jungle16jim
Date Posted: 2/11/10 at 5:18pm
I've seen this done this twice. For Singin in the Rain, the designers had small pools for splashing and rain from the ceiling that fell into troughs. We wet vacced during intermission and still had warping issues.
I did a 9x12x1 pool for Metamorphoses a few years ago and was wildly concerned about water. First, you need to determine how much the water will weigh, plus actors and see if your stage will support the weight. For that show, the stage was on a slight rake, so I placed a large plastic drop cloth down first and ran it over the lip of the stage for any water that leaked or that dripped down after actors exited onto the decking. The drop cloth ran into a gutter I ran on the edge of the stage (concealed) and into tupperware tubs.
Then I built a frame for the pool with plywood. The sides also need to be supported with diagonal bracing--remember water has downward and outward pressure. (If you'd like a drawing, send your email address and I'll forward that to you.) The plywood all got caulked heavily--still finding that stuff around.
Then I lined it with a pond liner. This stuff is heavy and you need a thick grade and encourage the director to not allow shoes or belts in the pool--anything that could puncture that. You also need something with a bit of a grit too. I still had actors sliding around.
That said, we drained most of the water out every night and ran hot water in before each show. It was a gorgeous show and no warping afterwards. Best of luck in your endeavors. I'm getting ready to do another one--this one will involve rain AND a river. creepers!
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Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 2/11/10 at 7:28pm
One thing to be aware of is to ensure your electrics are set up with an RDC {residual current device [earth leakage circuit breaker]} & that electrical equipment can't fall into the pool, even if it chooses to comit suicide & take a dive.
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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}
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