Expert: James Medd - 9/19/2008

Question
I need to design movable set platforms for a dance company.  They need to be sturdy, yet easily managed, and relatively inexpensive.  They want them to be about 4 x 8 and able to be reconfigured many ways.  They also need to be mobile, so we can bring set on/off stage easily.  Do you have a suggestion of materials and construction design?

Answer
Hi Colleen,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to your question. I hope that this reply reaches you in time.

In regard to your need to have movable set platforms, my best advice would be to track down some staging rostra. These vary in design, but usually they are comprised of a plywood top (the actual surface of the stage), which is supported underneath by a metal truss framework. There are many varieties of legs which can then be fitted to the framework, such as those with square flanges for fixing to a stage floor, or with wheels, so that the entire platform can be moved about. Most legs of this type have a brake attached so that the platform is safe while in use on stage.

Put simply, this kind of platform should meet all your criteria in terms of being easily assembled and managed, yet they are very sturdy and fairly cheap to hire.

In terms of size, these platforms are usually 4' x 4', so you may have to join two together, or even maybe consider using two as a pair onstage if your backstage space is limited. However, the platforms come in all manner of shapes and sizes, including triangles, circles and hexagons, as well as the standard rectangles. You might want to reconsider the design of your show when you realise how many different shapes there are on offer!

A lot of these platforms can be hired or bought with curtains at the sides to hide the metal framework and legs underneath. The ones I have hired before have been assembled with spanners and torque drivers, and have been put together in a relatively short space of time.

In the UK, there are several hire firms who will deliver the equipment to your venue and help to assemble it as well. Some of these are:

Staging Direct        www.stagingdirect.co.uk
UK Stage Hire         www.ukstagehire.com
Futurist              www.futurist.co.uk

It is worthwhile getting quotes for the different styles of platform you'll need, and I think it would be a good idea to start by researching the capabilities and design options available to you.

I hope this advice is useful to you, but if you need any further information, please let me know and I'll be happy to help.

Best of luck with your project.

Regards,

James.