Wizard of Oz Chair

This was a bit of a service project. Carrington Middle School was in need of a throne for the wicked witch, so we stepped up and built them one out of scrap from our shop. The body is particle board and the back is an old door. Net cost: $0. Theatrical effect: Priceless.

Here's a Really cool thing...

This piece of music was co-written by one of my students, James and recorded live with help from my beginning class. Enjoy!

Guys and Dolls

Design Process...Steel Magnolias

I thought it might be interesting for you all to see how an idea on paper comes to fruition on stage. Here is a series from start to finish for our latest play, Steel Magnolias...


The idea begins with a rough grounplan, a view from the top, that allows the designer to spatially work out where things go and what traffic patterns might be.


The process continues with a rough elevation that allows you to see how a set might look from the audience.


Next, a final groundplan is drawn in scale, meaning that you can actually measure from this drawing with a scale rule and begin to transfer this drawing to the stage. Next would usually be a final front elevation in color, but because of time constraints, we usually forego this piece and pick color and fabrics from paint chips and samples.


Next, a white model is constructed so we may see the set as it will appear in 3D. After the model is complete, we usually produce a rudimentary set of shop drawings for the carpenters to build from.


Finally, the set is constructed, painted and dressed with decoration.

Tricks with Bricks...

We needed a backdrop for the set of Steel Magnolias and that afforded me the opportunity to teach some of my kids one of the most useful faux finishes for theater, the brick wall. Here is the result:







Head Scenic Artist: Brianna Dean
Painters: David, Paul, Adriana

Steel Magnolias finished...

Our fall show, Steel Magnolias opened tonight. Here is the set as it appeared. My kids have, as usual, done a spectacular job with all the technical aspects. Congrats all!

Design process - white model

The white model for our fall show, Steel Magnolias.


Model by Brianna D.

Tech III - rendering realistic architecture

My student Brianna D. has taken up her brush and begun to master the art of architectural painting. That is to say, painting two dimensional elements that appear to be three dimensional. Here is her latest: