questions about remodeling old theater space
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Topic: questions about remodeling old theater space
Posted By: eskrigian
Subject: questions about remodeling old theater space
Date Posted: 8/21/10 at 4:14pm
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I am remodeling a large old theater space on a limited budget. 25 foot ceilings, seats 150. What color should I paint the walls? And do I use high gloss, semi-gloss or flat? for that matter is there a specific brand/type of paint I should use? I also need a curtain for the stage. Is it possible to buy a used curtain or best to have one made? Any suggestions on best place to do this?
Thanks!
------------- eskrigian |
Replies:
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 8/23/10 at 12:11am
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I would use matt flat {[latex] which gives also a depth of colour} paint to reduce any light bounce.
As for the House 'rag' I'd first get a quote on a new one & then hunt for a second hand curtain as a price comparison. However I'd say you may have only 2 chances of finding a 2nd hand curtain, in good nick - none 'n Buckleys. As it's not something that is replaced that much in theatre. But you can be lucky from time to time!
------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: eskrigian
Date Posted: 8/23/10 at 8:31am
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Thanks Joe! I've never remodeled a theater before and I'm struggling. One last question... the stage walls, should they be painted black? ------------- eskrigian |
Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 8/23/10 at 9:28am
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We happen to have a used grand drape 22' x 55' in Blue. Very nice shape. Contact me if interested. ------------- _____________ http://www.studio-productions-inc.com 1-800-359-2964 The theater scrim people |
Posted By: eskrigian
Date Posted: 8/23/10 at 10:11am
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Thanks Vicki, will have to double check dimensions. Can you give me a ballpark with regard to price for the curtain? ------------- eskrigian |
Posted By: David McCall
Date Posted: 8/23/10 at 10:20am
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It depends on the type of theater. Generally the backstage areas are painted black, but the auditorium usually isn't. The exception is what we call a "black box theater" where the auditorium and the stage are all in one room. Often a "black box" is designed with the idea that the whole room can be re-configured to fit the needs of the show. In the case of a black box, you want the flattest/blackest paint you can find. A more conventional theater would normally have a slightly more interesting paint scheme. Perhaps fairly muted colors like a dull maroon and a medium to darkish gray. ------------- David M |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 8/23/10 at 10:22am
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Sorry Lena I assumed it was the auditorium walls you asked about!
As for the stage walls black is fine, however I get them to add a shot of tint/litre of cobalt blue, when the paints being mixed at the hardware shop.
Any paint left over can be used on the stage deck, except I add some white wood glue into the paint, which extends the wear on the painted stage decking surface.
Further I apply the paint using a kitchen squeezy mop, rather than a paint roller. I find this uses less paint & you don't get any of the roller spray. Also it is cheaper & simpler to just dispose of the replacable foam head after use.
http://www.oates.com.au/ProductDisplay.aspx?Product=MS-015 - http://www.oates.com.au/ProductDisplay.aspx?Product=MS-015
------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: eskrigian
Date Posted: 8/23/10 at 10:42am
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Thanks Joe AND David! What a help you've been. I know I said the last question I asked would be the last question. But I lied. I will be back!
Thanks again... ------------- eskrigian |
Posted By: Theatermama
Date Posted: 8/27/10 at 8:30am
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If you are using black - either make sure you write down the exact type of paint and color you had mixed or get a couple extra gallons for repaints. Blacks look very different - we recently painted over some black walls and you could see every brush stroke that didn't completely cover the old black - makes for a much bigger job later. We paint our walls sometimes as "SET" and then need to repaint and also you paint the floor a lot.
Liked the tip about putting wood glue in the floor paint.
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Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 8/27/10 at 9:27pm
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Your right Shielaabout the different hues of black paint, which is dependant upon the manufacture process.
Over the years I have found a lot tend to wear with a brownish tinge to the washed out scuffed traffic areas.
Thhe cobalt blue added to the black paint helps to diguise these areas fairly efectivly, also the bluish tint assists when the show backstage is in blue mode & tends to offer an extended blueish reflection of any work safety lighting.
The Squeezy mobs are great for painting on flush surgaces, we came across the idea by chance, as we couldn't find the paint rollers & ones we did had not been cleaned after use. So we raided the galley & found a couple of squeezy mops along with replacement foam heads, so we used them & did the in half the time & no mess! Using the paint roller trays made it easy requiring a lot less paint overall.
The rule of the black 'n blue thumb nail I use for the auditoruum colours, in line with Davids excelent suggestion, is attempt to stick toa 60, 30, 10% colour scheme.
------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: Theatermama
Date Posted: 8/28/10 at 1:58am
| Joe - I will have to mention the adding blue tip. Do you mean the squeezy mops that you pull something back on the handle and it squeezes out the paint between 2 rollers? That would sure make things easier - will pass this along as well. |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 8/28/10 at 7:24pm
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Yes as in the link previously posted
http://www.oates.com.au/ProductDisplay.aspx?Product=MS-015 - http://www.oates.com.au/ProductDisplay.aspx?Product=MS-015 ------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: Theatermama
Date Posted: 8/28/10 at 9:03pm
| Thanks for the link, that was not at all the type I imagined but I have seen those. Sorry must have missed the link previously. |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 8/28/10 at 11:15pm
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Sorry Shiela I probably didn't explain it properly in the first place.
The old cotton mop 'n bucket type don't work that well, although I have used them years ago applying base Whitener on large new & repainting old backdrops. They are great for slopping type work but you end up painting yourself & flicking paint everywhere. This why your quids in with the flat sponge foam floor mops for large flush surfaces & they don't dribble everywhere.
'Anovver fink' with your project which can only help, is get a hold of a friendly experianced theatre techie to assist in advising [free 'n grattis of course] on the logistics, while it is in the these early stages. Rather than leaving it untill it's too late & costly to have to fix up any 'Major Blues' to make the space workable later.
  {As in the old adage of the 5 P's [Which I think it's actualy 6 or 7?]}
------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |