Tag Archives: planning

When you’re considering renting a backdrop, you may be overwhelmed with the choices. The colors, the designs, and the intricate detail of each backdrop is beautiful in each of their own ways. As you’re scrolling our inventory, you may be stuck between a few different backdrops, and not know which to choose for your production or event. Don’t worry, we put together a guide of tips for decision making when it comes to backdrops. There are a few things you’ll want to consider when planning and staging your production and set design. Read this blog for everything to know when it comes to deciding on the perfect backdrop.

Matching Your Production’s Theme With The Backdrop

Finding a backdrop that matches your theme is the most important part of deciding. When you know the theme of your show, be sure the backdrops you have your eye on are all appropriate in color, style, and design. For example, if you’re producing a show like 42nd Street, you’ll want to consider backdrops with cityscapes, Broadway streets, bright flashy colors, skylines, black and white, city lights, and streets.

How To Ensure Backdrops Will Fit Your Space

Each backdrop by Charles H. Stewart listed in our inventory includes the size of the backdrop on the webpage. All of our backdrops come with grommets and tie lines spaced approximately 12-14 inches apart. Be sure the backdrops you’re considering will fit your space and your stage. Take measurements and have an idea of where you’re going to hang the backdrop.

Considering the Lighting and Elements of Your Stage

When choosing your backdrop, consider the level of lighting available during your event or production. Will there be professional lighting operated? Remember that lighting requirements are different for all color combinations, and your lighting technician can have a dramatic impact on your presentation. With hand-painted backdrops, striking and unique textures, you’ll want to position them best for everyone to see clearly. The positioning of your audience and elements of your stage will help you decide what backdrop is right for your event or production.

 

A backdrop can be the final element that brings your theatrical production, dance recital or event to life. They set your stage and provide a visual impact that makes your presentation truly unforgettable. With a beautiful appearance and a cost-effect approach to set design, Backdrops by Charles H. Stewart has just what you need.

Though it’s still February and there may even be snow on the ground, spring is soon approaching, and it will sneak up on us before we know it. February is a great time to start considering your productions for the spring, as the choice and selection of the production is a production in itself! You’ll want to give yourself as long as possible during the consideration stage, tossing out ideas among the team, and discussing budget/feasibility. Read through this blog for tips on planning the spring production.

 

First, begin with ordering a few scripts that you’re interested in. Read through the scripts with the group, and see how everyone feels about the leads, supporting roles, duration of the play, and see what the set would take to build. Be sure the script falls within your budget and timeframe.

Then you can start seeing which of your actors would be interested in auditioning for which roles. Hold read-throughs to see who fits most naturally with which character. When you cast your group and establish your crew, you can take the time to think about budgeting, staging, different scenes, choreography, and music. Some of these elements will be worked through with your director, but during the planning stage, be sure you have everything you need before you begin.

 

As you work through each scene with your director, you’ll notice some things that don’t quite work and other things that work quite well. You’ll have to make some changes as you go, but this is all part of the process.

Many theater organizations hire an outside choreographer or someone to come in and help with direction. Depending on the size and funding available of your organization, this might be a good option for you. Drama clubs often rent backdrops, props, curtains, and more from rental companies. Sets can be difficult and timely to build, so when theater organizations don’t have all of the resources needed in-house, they can rent props to make productions look beautiful, detailed, and complete.

 

It may seem overwhelming when you dive into planning a new show for a new season. Though it is a process, don’t be overwhelmed, as there are many resources and planning tips to help you through. Take things slowly, and plan every detail so your cast and crew are ready to deliver an amazing opening night performance.

 

woods scene backdrop

 

Backdrops by Charles H. Stewart has been your leading edge scenic design and backdrop rental company for over 120 years! Come to us with your theatrical needs to enhance your production with well over 1,500 backdrops, drapes, lames and scrims to choose from. We are here to serve all your backdrop and scenic design needs.

Producing any show can be a ton of work and can be incredibly time consuming. When that production is a school play, it can be even more difficult when most of those who are involved are adolescents and the help you receive is limited. There’s still much you can do! 

If this is the first time you are putting on a school production, don’t panic! There are a ton of school productions that turn out to be successful. You just have to find what works for you, and your group of kids. We have gathered some tips to help you ensure a successful school production.

Tips For Your School Production

Have you chosen a production to work on, yet? When deciding on the show, consider your current assets such as the stage you have access to and your budget. You will also have to consider the time frame, the ages of your actors, and the audience you will have the performance for.

Choosing the Right Production

If the production you are thinking about using is popular throughout multiple generations but happens to contain some controversial aspects, consider looking at all available versions of it and choose the one that would work best, or communicate the production with the principle of the school. Note that productions that may work for one school audience may not be as accepted by others.

Creating a Calendar

Once you have chosen on the right production, create a detailed production calendar that not only includes rehearsal dates but also the contact information for everyone involved in the production. Share a copy of the calendar with everyone involved in the production, as well. Most importantly, stay in constant communication with everyone about any changes or new information that may rise. If you are working with a much younger age group, make sure to stay in constant communication with their parents about rehearsals and such, as well.

When it comes to holding auditions, remember that theater is inclusive. Allow for any student who wants to participate in the production to do so, if not through acting roles, then through more technical roles such as backstage work, stage prop creation, selling tickets, and so on.

Choosing Roles & Assuring Equal Attention in Rehearsal

Once you have decided on each student’s role in the production, and rehearsals have begun, assure that you are giving all actors equal attention. It is easy to “lose track” and place most of your focus on the lead characters, but in order to have a successful production, small roles should be just as strong as lead roles.

Producing a show on your own can be incredibly difficult, so don’t be afraid to work with others. Accept the help when offered and, seek for help when needed. Remember that any help can be beneficial.

No Show Or Production is Perfect!

In the end, make sure you have chosen a production you enjoy since most of your time and efforts will be placed on it for months to come. Also, remember that even the most rehearsed productions are not guaranteed a perfect, mistake-free show!