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:

Winging your way...Tech I finishes it"s first project

The beginning class has completed it's first project, birdhouses. This project combines basic carpentry skills and attention to detail in finish work. Each and every student did a great job this time around! Congrats guys! Here are a couple of beautiful examples of what was accomplished:




Birdhouse by Oscar




Birdhouse by Alex

Allison Wonderland - Finished!

The concept is that of a twisted fairytale. The challenge being to create multiple scenes with a small budget. The answer: Paint and a few key set pieces. The giant storybook and radiused staircase were great projects for my carpenters and the floor was a tour de force for my painters. Congrats guys!

Riverside Tech Blog accepted into showcase

Tri-fold display for Instructional Technology Showcase

The Riverside Technical Theater Blog has recently been accepted into the PepsiCo K-12 Instructional Technology Showcase at Rogers-Herr Middle School on May 31st. Above is a picture of the beginnings of our display.

X-Box Chair - Tech One

X-Box Chair

Many of my students have gone about customizing their Adirondack chairs, but none more so than my student Ashton who has created this awesome gaming chair complete with a drink holder, controller box and umbrella stand.

Radiused Staircase_ Tech II, III,IV

radiused staircase framework


For the Spring Chorus show, Allison Wonderland, we decided to build a radiused staircase for the ballroom scene. I enlisted the help of local carpenter and staircase guru, David Rogers who has been working with my kids for the past three weeks. David is a master craftsman and an excellent teacher whose expertise and patience has made for a singular experience for the students and myself. Thanks David! More pictures to come.

Allison Wonderland - Tech. ii, iii, iv, v

My advanced class has been busy building the Spring chorus show which is a take off of fairy tales and storybooks called: Allison Wonderland. The show will include a whimsical painted floor, a giant story book, an oversized poison apple and many more surprises.


painters get to work on the floor design






David helps construct the giant storybook


Derrin and Webster papier mache the evil apple

Adirondack Attack!!! - Part Two

Chris (my right hand man and gentleman about town) and I decided to challenge ourselves by building some real resort-style Adirondack chairs. Here are our first ones under construction, And yes, they are for sale.


This one is built out of reclaimed plywood.


This one is built from clear pine.


Adirondack - front view


Adirondack - side view

Adirondack Attack!!!

In February, Ms. Griffin (art teacher) and I came up with a terrific idea for a collaboration. For the PTSA silent auction in May, we decided to construct a series of chairs and then paint them in the style of different artists. My class is now in the process of building twenty of these little Adirondack style chairs and her students have already begun painting them. The silent auction will be held in May at our Spring Chorus Show.


seat slats


David and Webster make an assembly line for the seats.


a finished chair

Full house...

For the Spring Talent Show, I decided to do a series of gigantic playing cards as a scenic backdrop for the show. My advanced class built five 12'x16' flats to be used as the cards. Great job so far!!!


frames under construction - 1


frames under construction - 2


frames under construction - 3


King of Diamonds


King of Clubs


all five on stage