What is the best way to create climbable rock on stage?

Question

This is a dance recital for kids 10 to 18 and we need to have the stage look like a rocky beach at open. The girls must be able to lay across the rocks, (they are mermaids sunning themselves), then climb down the rock to the stage. One person talked about having a insulation company spray foam over plastic milk crates, then chicken wire papre mache over and paint?

Answer 1

After many years as a Properties master and scenic carpenter I have suggestions.

Certainly other here will as well.

First of all consider the "crew" and who and how will have to set and strike the scene. You should build each piece as if they were risers, even some with a "rake" then wire cover them or not. ADD wheels with locks to allow easy ingress and egress. Foam in panels works for contours, shaved and shaped. Cover the entire thing with muslin or other sturdy material, then paint over with FLEX Coat or a decent quality paint.

It's Theater, so it need not be totally, photographically realistic, and an audience, at an average distance of 30 feet won't notice. Actually if they do NOTICE the scenery most vividly, then they aren't paying attention to the performance.

Steven Wolf

Answer 2

wood, wire screening, cement mix.