Category Archives: Staging
This was one more item that we wanted to be consistent with the theme and the branding. The staging is such a big part of what a first time guest experiences.
We again drew from our inspiration — the Sherlock Holmes movie. As you watch the movie you see throughout scenes from the industrial revolution. And the part that inspired the design the most was the rusted iron, big beams, large rusted nuts and bolts.
And then the team took to one more level :: steam punk. We incorporated the industrial revolution style with brightly colored LED fixtures.
One of our stage volunteers (who is a cabinet maker by trade) craft panels that would skirt the stage risers and cover the front of the trussing that surrounds our 12 x 20 foot center screen. Incorporated into the design are cut-out segments (or lites as they call them in the door industry). Milky plexiglass was inserted into these open areas.
The LED lighting was placed behind which gave us the opportunity to light the stage in any color we desired.
Our lighting volunteer theatrically desiigned the stage lighting in order to highlight the fronts of the staging.
Materials: The panels were made of MDF. Painted with a paint with actual iron particles. Before the second coat dried, a green and beige patina was sprayed onto the paint which actually rusted the iron in the paint. The panels literally looked like an rusted iron structure.
Because the panels are “generic” in feel, we have the opportunity to bring them back and use them again when we need skirting but no specific them is needed.
BRING THE THEME TO THE STAGE
I’ve talked about this before.
www.rickcalcutt.com/2012/02/27/taking-the-wrapper-to-the-stage
But it’s worth reminding you again that taking the time to take a piece of the sermon series theme to the stage is well worth it. It doesn’t have to be to elaborate, but it can be. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time. It doesn’t have to cost a bunch of money either.
Be creative. Plan ahead. Be wise. Consider different and uncommon materials. In other words, what inexpensive materials could be used to build your stage elements? Remember that in theatre, it doesn’t have to look rea up close, but from the auditorium seats.
We are currently studying the life of Jonah. The stage of course is nautical. The elements were purchased at Stumps and the Army Surplus Store. And it looks fantastic.
For staging ideas, visit this site. You will get lots of great ideas. www.churchstagedesignideas.com