Set Design and Construction: Tricky bracing

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Tricky bracing

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=4997
Printed Date: 10/30/25 at 11:13pm
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Topic: Tricky bracing

Posted By: Kim L.
Subject: Tricky bracing
Date Posted: 3/08/11 at 2:07pm

I am trying to figure out how to brace a set piece. Because our cast is so large (60 high schoolers), I designed our set (for Scarlet Pimpernel) to have some of the stage elevated (giving audience a better view of all the shinging faces). I have a platform that is 28' x 8' upstage (32" high). During one scene, the local changes to a "Drawing Room." A local community theatre is allowing us to borrow "windows" for this scene. I don't know the exact dimensions yet. But, I saw the windows in a show and I would judge them to be about 8' square (with panels in them...no glass...just frames).

During the Drawing Room scene, I need to be able to put the windows up on the back of the platform and then take them down at the end of the scene. There is a distance of about 2 ft. between the back of the platform and the cyclorama.

I'm somewhat of a newbie at this (but am gaining experience rapidly!). In my mind, I am thinking maybe I could put some sort of temporary brace going from the window down to the floor that attaches with some sort of pin (kind of like a loose pin hinge but not a hinge). Does anyone have any ideas for me? Are my descriptions clear?

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Kim

Replies:

Posted By: Majicwrench
Date Posted: 3/08/11 at 5:24pm

First thing I always ask myself is:

"Do I really need this?" Less is more, one of my fav mottos, esp in theatre.

I would have a vertical rod on each end of each window, and coresponding holes in the platform, then a guy on each end, pick it up and set it in, pick it up and take it out.

Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 3/09/11 at 9:20am

Flying them is not an option?

You can use a two hinge solution. The first hinge is permanent and the one that makes the window swing up. The second pin is placed in the second hinge to hold it up.

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Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 3/15/11 at 7:48am

As suggested by Vicki you could use a 'French brace' which folds out on hinges that are fixed to the back of the window flat.

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[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

Posted By: Kim L.
Date Posted: 3/16/11 at 1:23pm

Thanks for the many ideas.

Flying them is not an option b/c I have a wire mesh grid above the stage.

Also, since these will be at the back of a raised platform, I don't see how I could use the French Brace. Perhaps the pipe affixed to the window with a hole in the platform is the best idea.

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Kim