3D Model of Blueprint - Stage Chemistry AP 2

In Stage Chemistry, we were assigned to build a 3D model of the theatre in our first Action Project (see the blueprints from Unit 1, here). We were assigned to play the role of a set designer, also known as the scenic designer. The scenic designer established an overall visual concept for the production and design the stage environment. We had to incorporate the scale and proportions determined in Unit 1, add working miniatures to demonstrate motion that will occur on stage, and an explanation of how & why the elements in our 3D model optimizes our adaptation. The purpose of this action project was to build a 3D model. I learned how to build stairs with the help of JR.

The stage has been set with a functioning star trap style door, and a rotating scenery flats.

Areal view of stage. GN, 2014

Stage. GN, 2014

Stage. GN, 2014

Rotary Scenery Flats:

The adaptation is split into three important locations in the story - Scrooge's residence, graveyard, Scrooge's business. Any other scenes will take place without the scenery on the stage. It would either be projected or very reliant on props. 

Inspired by Aaron Moring-D'angier's equilateral triangular prism, I too constructed an equilateral triangular prism that is made of three 3'x8' flats attached on the sides. The triangular prism rests on a raked based, which accounts for the raked stage. The rotary scenery would be moved mechanically by a computer. It would already be programmed in terms of the time at which the prism will rotate. I thought that having an actor or someone physically move it would pose a risk I was not willing to take (perfect timing would of been an issue).  

GN, with the help of Aaron Moring-D'angier

Star Trap: 

In theatre, a trap is a concealed opening usually in the stage floor. Traps are used to create a great variety of stage effects, such as the sudden appearance and disappearance of characters or objects on stage. There are many types of traps. The star trap is a circular opening with lids composed of wedge-shaped sections individually hinged to the circumference. 

GN, with the help of Aaron Moring-D'angier

Trap Safety Protocols: 

• Prepared yourself (timing) 
• Make sure the wedge-shaped section functions properly
• Stabilize yourself after going through the star trap

Works Cited: 

• "Trap | Stage Machinery." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 19 Dec. 2014.

The Blueprint - A Stage Chemistry

In my Stage Chemistry course, which is a course about learning the production process of theatre and how learning about theatre production changes your perception and experience of the world. This course has come to exist through the partnership with The Goodman Theatre in Chicago. For our first action project, we were assigned to pick a place, adapt that place into a theatre and create a blueprint for it. The purpose of this action project was to create a blueprint of our theatre and use logic and mathematics to justify the decisions we made along the way. I learned how to use conditional statements. A conditional statement is a If-then statement (a logical connector). Even though, this project required tedious work, I enjoyed working on this project. I am proud of the drawings on my blueprint.

Below is my blueprint, and my reflection.


The Fassaes Theatre Blueprint

The Monomonee Club is a not-for profit boys and girls club that help children have fun by offering a variety of recreational programs. The building is located downtown and is near nice restaurants and other theatres such as the IO and the Steppenwolf Theatre. It also has a large parking lot. I chose the Fassaes studio in the Menomonee building because I had easy access to it. Conveniently enough, the Fassaes studio also had many of the theatrical components I wanted in my theatre, such as a lighting system and the sound quality. Since people already attend the Monomonee Club I would already have a customer source. I encountered a lot of problems measuring, but I solved it by collaborating with other classmates.