Mb

"Mekon"

13/07/2003 1:04 AM

Stage construction.

Shortly I may be asked to build a semi/permanent theatrical stage inside a
church.
This particular construction has some unique problems/challenges.

1. The building is "heritage listed" which means whatever we do has to
'touch lightly' on the building structure.
2. The floor is polished hardwood.
3. The stage must not creak
4. It is essentially a platform 900 (3ft ) high, 5.8m (19ft) wide by 4.2m
(13 ft) long
5. It will be attached on the long side to an existing stage/alcove
6. Set construction crews being what they are, it may be necessary to
replace the (ply?) flooring on the top of the stage every five or six years.

I was thinking about laying down a ply floor on top of the original floor,
but not fastened to it, with felt underlay between.then ataching the posts
with triple grips to the ply. - I don't know if "triple grips" is a
universal term but this is something like what I mean
http://www.htp.com.sg/page2.html

Any suggestions?

Mekon


This topic has 8 replies

Mb

"Mekon"

in reply to "Mekon" on 13/07/2003 1:04 AM

13/07/2003 9:13 PM


"McQualude" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >> Mekon spaketh...
> >> > Shortly I may be asked to build a semi/permanent theatrical stage
> >> > inside a church.
>
> >> Sounds like straight carpentry.
> >> Ask during service if there are any carpenters who would volunteer
> >> an afternoon.
>
> > The church has only two memebrs left alive.
>
> Are either of them carpenters? <g> Sorry if this sounds snide, but are
they
> just going to entertain each other? One definition of a church is a
> building for Christian worship, but most definitions include the people
who
> attend service. Forgive my insatiable curiosity, I just can't help but
> wonder why a church of 2 people are building a stage.
> --
> McQualude

They are not. My theatre group hopes to take over the building and convert
this art deco church into a theatre. I try hard not to enquire too deeply
into the machinations of the church but it seems that they take turns in
preaching to one another. playing the organ and stuff. The collection plate
goes around and it is always the same amount each Sunday. Not enough to pay
the utilities.

Mekon

jJ

in reply to "Mekon" on 13/07/2003 1:04 AM

13/07/2003 1:39 AM

>Shortly I may be asked to build a semi/permanent theatrical stage inside a
>church.

I would suggest you post your question to rec.arts.theatre.stagecraft, or RATS.
They handle a number of similar inquiries and can give you practical advice
from a theatrical perspective, which is often surprisingly different from an
everyday perspective.

Hope this helps,

John

Mb

"Mekon"

in reply to "Mekon" on 13/07/2003 1:04 AM

13/07/2003 9:15 PM


"Ernie Jurick" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Mekon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Shortly I may be asked to build a semi/permanent theatrical stage inside
a
> > church.
> > This particular construction has some unique problems/challenges.
>
> Call a local theater group for guidance. Stagecraft is a specialty trade
> that plays by different rules.
> -- Ernie
>
>

As I am the president of the group, I have already been down that road. What
I was looking for was alternate views and ideas.

Mekon

Mb

"Mekon"

in reply to "Mekon" on 13/07/2003 1:04 AM

13/07/2003 4:57 AM


"McQualude" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Mekon spaketh...
>
> > Shortly I may be asked to build a semi/permanent theatrical stage
> > inside a church.
>
> > This particular construction has some unique problems/challenges.
> >
> > 1. The building is "heritage listed" which means whatever we do has to
> > 'touch lightly' on the building structure.
> > 2. The floor is polished hardwood.
> > 3. The stage must not creak
> > 4. It is essentially a platform 900 (3ft ) high, 5.8m (19ft) wide by
> > 4.2m (13 ft) long
> > 5. It will be attached on the long side to an existing stage/alcove
> > 6. Set construction crews being what they are, it may be necessary to
> > replace the (ply?) flooring on the top of the stage every five or six
> > years.
> >
> > I was thinking about laying down a ply floor on top of the original
> > floor, but not fastened to it, with felt underlay between.then
> > ataching the posts with triple grips to the ply. - I don't know if
>
> > Any suggestions?
>
>
> Sounds like straight carpentry. Is a permit required?

No
>Will there be lights,
Not coming through the stage

> floor outlets?

Hmm... Maybe we should plan a couple for practicals,

>I have never built a stage, but I would think the floor
> would need to be sound deadened (no clomping sounds). Ask during service
if
> there are any carpenters who would volunteer an afternoon.

The church has only two memebrs left alive.

>
> Why is it semi-permanent?

Because some mad director will come along and have a brilliant idea for
reshaping everything!


> --
> McQualude

Thanks all

Mekon

Mm

McQualude

in reply to "Mekon" on 13/07/2003 1:04 AM

13/07/2003 7:41 AM

>> Mekon spaketh...
>> > Shortly I may be asked to build a semi/permanent theatrical stage
>> > inside a church.

>> Sounds like straight carpentry.
>> Ask during service if there are any carpenters who would volunteer
>> an afternoon.

> The church has only two memebrs left alive.

Are either of them carpenters? <g> Sorry if this sounds snide, but are they
just going to entertain each other? One definition of a church is a
building for Christian worship, but most definitions include the people who
attend service. Forgive my insatiable curiosity, I just can't help but
wonder why a church of 2 people are building a stage.
--
McQualude

Mm

McQualude

in reply to "Mekon" on 13/07/2003 1:04 AM

13/07/2003 4:25 AM

Mekon spaketh...

> Shortly I may be asked to build a semi/permanent theatrical stage
> inside a church.

> This particular construction has some unique problems/challenges.
>
> 1. The building is "heritage listed" which means whatever we do has to
> 'touch lightly' on the building structure.
> 2. The floor is polished hardwood.
> 3. The stage must not creak
> 4. It is essentially a platform 900 (3ft ) high, 5.8m (19ft) wide by
> 4.2m (13 ft) long
> 5. It will be attached on the long side to an existing stage/alcove
> 6. Set construction crews being what they are, it may be necessary to
> replace the (ply?) flooring on the top of the stage every five or six
> years.
>
> I was thinking about laying down a ply floor on top of the original
> floor, but not fastened to it, with felt underlay between.then
> ataching the posts with triple grips to the ply. - I don't know if

> Any suggestions?


Sounds like straight carpentry. Is a permit required? Will there be lights,
floor outlets? I have never built a stage, but I would think the floor
would need to be sound deadened (no clomping sounds). Ask during service if
there are any carpenters who would volunteer an afternoon.

Why is it semi-permanent?
--
McQualude

LJ

Larry Jaques

in reply to "Mekon" on 13/07/2003 1:04 AM

13/07/2003 4:54 PM

On Sun, 13 Jul 2003 15:12:21 GMT, "Ernie Jurick" <[email protected]>
pixelated:

>"Mekon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Shortly I may be asked to build a semi/permanent theatrical stage inside a
>> church.
>> This particular construction has some unique problems/challenges.
>
>Call a local theater group for guidance. Stagecraft is a specialty trade
>that plays by different rules.

Where's MERE when you need her? <g>

RebelYowl was our resident prop(wo)man for years.


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--------------------------------------
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Mb

"Mekon"

in reply to "Mekon" on 13/07/2003 1:04 AM

13/07/2003 1:45 AM


"JPLipe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >Shortly I may be asked to build a semi/permanent theatrical stage inside
a
> >church.
>
> I would suggest you post your question to rec.arts.theatre.stagecraft, or
RATS.
> They handle a number of similar inquiries and can give you practical
advice
> from a theatrical perspective, which is often surprisingly different from
an
> everyday perspective.
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> John
>
>

I was going to do both so as to get different views.

Mekon


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