Some Examples of My Use of Steel and Other Metals
Part of being a good Technical Director is choosing the correct material for both the appropriate look, and the structural needs of the set. Often steel is the material of choice for strength, but other metals such as copper or alumninum may be a better solution.
Much of the set for Macbeth is made from steel. The central rake is box tubing and expanded steel. The upstage walls are covered in corrugated steel roofing, and the raised platforms on each side are all legged using 1 1/2" pipe and keyed flanges.
The primary scenic element for this production was a series of 1 1/2" pipes. These were climbable and designed to be removed as the show was in repertory.
Designed to mimic a playground jungle gym, this unit is roll formed steel tubing. It is also moved by shop built air-lift casters.
The uppermost acting area and part of the warehouse. It has an expanded steel floor to allow for up-lighting.
In Batboy, much of the scenery was constructed from steel, or cover in corrugated steel. The benches were made in house as well.
The uppermost rake is steel framed to allow for the "floating" look. The altar center stage is made from copper and steel.
The steel support for the copper dish straddled the intersection of the two lower rakes.
Smoothing and setting the curve of the copper dish.
The balcony rail is welded iron and steel as it was intended to be climbed on.
One set of iron gates and header for Much Ado About Nothing. The iron units were purchased and stick welded using special welding rods.
Custom forged for Much Ado About Nothing.
The radio controlled boat, the organ and the portcullis are all visible in this shot. The portcullis is framed primarily from 1" square tubing.
A process shot of the steel & MDF framing of the portcullis gate for Phantom of the Opera. Unit is approximately 850 pounds.
The entrance to the Phantom's Lair was a steel staircase that went up and over the pin-rail and onto the mid-gallery. The height of the final landing was 21'-6".
A process shot of the installation of the steel staircase used as the entrance to the Phantom's lair in The Phantom of the Opera.
For Metamorphoses, all of the decking is steel framed, allowing it to overhang the pool and making for hidden actor entrances. The submerged step is welded aluminum to prevent any contamination of the pool. The large staircase upstage is framed from 2"x4" 11ga steel, allowing to only be supported by each end.