2024 – Page 2

Hot Tub Steps

A customer installed a brand new hot tub two summers ago and had used it only once, due in part to difficulty getting in and out.

She had the steps that came with the tub, but no handrails. I asked if I should build something sturdier, and she replied, “post-haste.”

Here is the result:

I used pressure-treated hem/fir lumber and then coated that with 3 coats of spar varnish. Normally I wouldn’t use varnish over fresh PT, but this customer had some success in the past on other small pieces, so we’ll see how this one does. (It’s a preference for look over functionality)

Seussical Set Design & Build

I was asked to design and build the set for Seussical, produced by VTT at the Norman and Annette Rothstein Theatre for their Spring Musical. It was an interesting challenge. I started designing around Christmasstime when I had some free head space. I came up with something like this:

And then when the time came to build, I made some set pieces on casters, and a stump:

Then some 2D trees; and painted the rented vinyl floor with the director’s vision:

Next I worked on the staging and some larger static set pieces:

I spent some time fire-retarding some things that would be hung close to the hot lights: paper mache stairs, and clouds. I self-tested samples of both the plywood and the paper mache to see how they would handle flame. They both seemed to survive 10 seconds of a blowtorch 2 inches away, and the samples that were treated did burn slower. (the one on the left) Both pieces self-extinguished, which was reassuring…

Then it was time for load-in! Parent and venue helpers were great!

There were a few fixes and changes after that but mostly things worked well.

The lighting design by Victoria Bell was incredible. In fact it added so much colour that the director decided to repaint some of the coloured set pieces to the off-white of the stage, as it was a bit too much to take in at times (especially with the colourful costumes too!) It was a good decision and balanced things out. Basic painting was done by myself, but most detail and colour was by the director and parent volunteers.

It was a wonderful show; superbly directed by Keri Smith and with great tech, stage management, acting, choreo, singing, band, costumes, etc, etc. It was my first exposure to Seussical; I do enjoy the silliness, as well as the way some important themes rise up.

_{photos by Galit Mishaal; Directed by Keri Smith; Costumes by Laura Meyers; Lighting by Victoria Bell; Choreo by Nicole Stevens; Set Design by Andrew Potts}

Set Build: Sound of Music

I recently finished the build for Gallery 7’s production of Sound of Music. It was two full weeks plus a bit; we had quite a few volunteers helping as well. It is mostly flies that drop down in different configurations to set the scene. Tickets available until March 24 at www.gallery7theatre.com. (Many shows have sold out so far.)

Design is by Jeff Kiers.

Here’s a few pictures from the build process and also a few from tech week.

Set Build: Midsummer

TWU’s last show will be A Midsummer Night’s Dream in March. I was contracted for set construction carpentry, and spent a couple of weeks at their workshop in January. It was good working with the TD and the few students that are left in the small production class. (Set Design is by Alaia Hamer)

It’s my second time building for this particular show, but the nice thing about theatre is that every time is different!

Here are a few pictures of the build in progress. I didn’t get as much finished as I would like; too many set builds happening at once and I ran out of time. I left it in the Technical Director’s hands, and hope that they can finish everything!

Tickets to the show should be available from TWU’s website in late February or early March. www.twu.ca

Snowbound Set Design and Build

Gallery 7‘s production of Snowbound is now playing at Abbotsford Arts Addition. I had the privilege of designing the set and building it. Here are some photos of the set build and a few shots from tech week rehearsal as well: