Thoroughly Modern Millie
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=4907
Printed Date: 11/23/24 at 10:36pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Thoroughly Modern Millie
Posted By: drose
Subject: Thoroughly Modern Millie
Date Posted: 12/27/10 at 10:40pm
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I have a production of Millie coming up in the next season and I'm stymied by two effects (and a very small budget). First, the elevator. I'd like an arrow-like hand (as in clock hand) that travels in an arc from 1-12 as the elevator "moves" preferably directly above the elevator (which moves on and off stage). The second dilemma is the song translation that has to be projected for the audience. I'm thinking of setting up a tv stage left of the procenium and running a power point presentation...or something to that effect. I'm just curious if any of you have/had a brilliant idea about the tech for this show? The elevator is my big mental roadblock right now, but the translation is not far behind. Small theater, small budget, need some great ideas! |
Replies:
Posted By: Spectrum
Date Posted: 12/28/10 at 8:45am
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I don't see either one of these as much of a challenge. First, the "Floor Indicator" could be as simple as a large indicator arrow stuck on a dowel rod that goes through the flat to a similar lever on the inside of the elevator. Make the hole for the dowel rod snug enough so when you release the manipulating lever, the whole thing stays where you leave it. A person inside the elevator or behind the elevator flat just reaches up and rotates the arm to move the arrow on the front. Remember, the arc goes just the opposite from what it would look like from the front. It might be convenient to either put "indents" under the manipulating arm (on the inside of the elevator) or at least floor numbers so whoever is rotating it knows where to stop it. Second, the lyrics could be PROJECTED across the top of the stage (or anywhere else you might prefer) with a DLP or LCD video projector hooked up to a computer with your PowerPoint presentation. If a school or business won't loan or rent you a projector, try either the usual rental outlets or electronics retailers. They may have one to loan/rent. Projecting the lyrics would look much better than wheeling out a CRT monitor and you could make the lettering much larger and easier to read with a projection. Good luck with your show! ------------- Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional. |
Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Date Posted: 12/28/10 at 8:55pm
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I just designed this show last year, (for actors grade 9 thru 12). I had limited time and budget, so I chose the most cheap and simple solutions to achieve these effects.
ELEVATOR I made a very simple wagon and rolled it on stage in front of a hotel lobby drop. Originally, I was going to use a radio control device to make the elevator indicator dial go up and down. But I ran out of time, as usual, and went with an expedient and old fashioned solution. Here is the lobby scene. (Sorry for my blurry snapshots). 
My simple solution was to position a stagehand behind the elevator to operate the dial by hand. You can see an axle rod on top of the elevator in this photo. It went to a hand crank on the back side, and he simply turned the crank as the two girls danced. This was a fool-proof solution that worked perfectly every time. And it only took 20 minutes to build, at zero cost. Then I isolated the elevator with lighting to help reinforce the illusion for the audience. In this snapshot, the dial has already started moving to the "3rd floor". 
SUPERTITLE PROJECTIONS Once again, the old-fashioned solution turned out to be the most expedient here. I merely built a narrow muslin flat, and flew it in for each scene where translations were required. I added stylized touches to the flats that tied in with the Art Deco style of the play. Sorry again for my blurry photo, but at least you can see the English captions, (in mid-transition here). 
PROPS By the way, I have tons of props from this show that I no longer have room to store here. I may be able to sell them to someone really cheap. I have several rolling laundry bins, like the one above. And I have 12 mock candlestick telephones - that go with 12 fake typewriters - on 12 rolling desks, as seen in the office sequence below. 
Oh yes...and I also have two dozen signs for the jailhouse scene that I will never use again! 
***For 30 more photos of Millie, there is a publicity slideshow http://www.greensboroday.org/page.cfm?p=67 - HERE. Have fun with your production and break a leg! -Dana ------------- Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School |
Posted By: drose
Date Posted: 12/28/10 at 9:30pm
| Thank you both for your ideas, I really appreciate it. Mr. Lowell, your elevator is exactly what I have pictured in my mind's eye. It's lovely! I wish there was a way for me to buy the candlestick phones, typewriters and desks! But shipping from you to Montana would break my budget! Perhaps you could message me what you are asking for them? Sometimes I have family that travels your direction...you never know! |
Posted By: Majicwrench
Date Posted: 12/28/10 at 11:48pm
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Montana?? You mean there is theatre in Montana??
I'm in Libby, where are you??
Keith
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Posted By: drose
Date Posted: 12/29/10 at 12:35am
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I'm in Hamilton...47 miles south of Missoula. The Hamilton Players. Our facebook page has some wonderful photos of past productions if you want to take a look. But I don't want to hijack my own thread. Did you check out Mr. Lowell's elevator? How were the doors and top pieces made? I really think it's amazing. |
Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Date Posted: 12/29/10 at 10:28am
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It was quick and simple. I bought a big roll of "irrigation tubing" at Home Depot. I think it was about 20 bucks for a 50 foot roll.
I had fun bending the pipe into Art Deco frames to form a suggestive/fragmentary roof, walls and door. I attached the tubing to the wooden frame with one inch drywall screws with washers on them. Then spray painted gold and silver. Someday I will write a build report on this project for the forum. But in the meantime, you can look at my build report on HONK. I built the "egg shells" for HONK using the same 3/4" black pipe. Here is the link: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3540&PN=2 - HONK EGG BUILD ------------- Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School |
Posted By: Majicwrench
Date Posted: 12/29/10 at 10:15pm
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More hijack.....I saw "The Great Ice Cream Scheme" years ago in Hamilton, was that you?? Yup, super cool elevator, set, everything!!
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Posted By: drama coach
Date Posted: 1/01/11 at 6:54pm
| I would love to purchase part or all of your set/props. Where are you located? I'm in Michigan and our show is in March. |
Posted By: drose
Date Posted: 1/01/11 at 10:05pm
| Nope. I've been here for 20 or so years and I don't remember that one. |
Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Date Posted: 1/07/11 at 9:28am
A musical theatre in Massachusetts wants this stuff for Millie in May, so could you forward it to them when you are done? ------------- Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School |