In a dollhouse or diorama what is the best way to visually represent a crowd of people without ....?

Question

having to buy hundreds of dolls? Does anyone know of an optical illusion or easy trick to give the realistic impression of a crowd of people...like in a theater, for example?

Answer 1

paint a scene on the sides of the diarama showing people with the largest, most detailed people in front and then diminishing in size and detail toward the back so it looks like a crowd of people and takes on a 3D effect.

Answer 2

you could use a mirror.