Carpentry and Woodworking - Set Design Question!

Hello Do-It-Yourself-ers!

I am teaching a drama program out in California this summer and the time has come to figure out a set design. I have an idea of what I want to do, and maybe even someone who will help me build it (I can make you a nice bookshelf, that's about it), but I'm not really sure about what I would need to do this project, and I certainly don't know any carpentry terms to describe it.

That's where you folks come in! Is my idea feasible, and how could I better describe it to someone who's familiar with carpentry? Here's the idea: I would like to build four tall prisms that would rest on their "triangle" ends. They would have wheels or casters on the bottom, and we'd be able to paint different scenes on each side. They would need to be free-standing. No one would lean on them or touch them, but they'd also need to be pretty sturdy; that said, they would also need to be light enough so that they could be wheeled around/turned easily (I'm guessing/thinking that they could be hollow; or, rather, I see no reason for them to be solid).

I don't have precise measurements of the stage space, which is, I know, less than helpful. But they'd need to be pretty tall, at least as tall as the proscenium arch (think big). But they would also be fairly wide, too. It's a fairly large stage.

Sorry I don't have more information! That said, if anyone could tell me if this is at all possible, I would appreciate it!

--LSloan

Styrofoam panels covered with artist canvas? A base of ¾" plywood. Perhaps need a couple of sand bags inside resting on the base to give stability.

Thank you! You are my hero!

I build sets for our church kid's activities quite a bit, and the styrofoam panels are simply great. Keeps the weight down and are paintable, or a great backing for the canvas Ray mentioned.
You mentioned the units would be sitting on the triangle end. I hope you are meaning the "base" of the triangle. Balancing a triangle on the point would be a bear, especially if it has to be moved.
Remember, too, lighting is all important. Using flat black paint or dark scrim absorbs light making it invisible to the audience's eyes.
IF you rest these things on their bases, you probably can get by using a rolling base with nothing but the styrofoam panels, Tyvek tape and cover it all with canvas. After all, a triangle is more sturdy than a rectangle or square.

chandler, I was thinking that I would make each unit three-sided, so there would be a flat base at the bottom that would be in the shape of a triangle. I have never painted on styrofoam before; how does it take paint, and what kind of paint should I be using on it?

Thanks for your input!

Painting directly on the styrofoam with spray paint will not work too well. The paint components will melt the styrofoam. That's why we suggested the canvas covering. It will take the paint pretty good. Now, you may find some paints such as Krylon won't affect it, but I'd try on a scrap first. Be sure to turn the lettering to the inside so it won't bleed through your paint. Keep us posted.

While providing a suitable surface for painting was the primary reason for suggesting artist's canvas the second is to make construction easier and stronger. Initial seams can simply be taped together then the canvas can be cut to overlap the seams also reinforcing them. You will need to check with a crafts store for a good adhesive but it must be water based. To get a tight seam edges would need to be beveled but but with tape and canvas you can just leave them at 90° and cover the gap.

You folks are tops. Thanks!

I made some scenery for our traveling old west show. They needed to be light but durable,and also paintable. I used a product called "R-Board" framed them with 2X2s dadoed to receive the board. Worked great,took paint very well,and stood up well. Comes in 4X8 sheets either 3/4 or 1 1/2 thick. RW