Oral Presentations - Session 3F: UC 333
A Study of Stock Scenery and What the Future Holds
Presentation Type
Presentation
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Mike Monsos
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Theatre
Abstract / Artist's Statement
Over the last several decades the scenic element of theatre has had its struggles in regard to building stock scenery. Through research and working in the industry I am reexamining what is the “norm” with stock scenery and looking to improve what my predecessors have done. The theatre is an ever evolving world always looking for the next step. To strive for the future I want to take a step back and try to reexamine scenery in hopes of actively bringing about the next generation of thinking. For example stock platforms are an age old tradition in theatre however through varying degrees of research and hands on experience I find there is room for improvement. This semester I have been shadowing my mentor in a class that deals entirely with stock scenery and looking at why we build the way we do. The problem is that as the world around us changes so too must scenic construction.
There is an old idiom the dictates the construction field – “Cost vs. Weight vs. Strength.” This constant struggle helps guide us into the decisions we make when building. Research has shown that some of the strongest materials are becoming too expensive due to deforestation. In the same sense inferior materials can be weaker and weigh outrageous amounts. However we must struggle to find a balance in this ever changing world. Stock scenery is a cost saver but only if it lasts. As with anything the current way of building has limitations. The platforms here are built well but due to poor storage and just constant wear and tear tend to break. There is such a strong foundation for stock scenic elements however there is room for improvement and in theatre we are always looking to the future.
A Study of Stock Scenery and What the Future Holds
UC 333
Over the last several decades the scenic element of theatre has had its struggles in regard to building stock scenery. Through research and working in the industry I am reexamining what is the “norm” with stock scenery and looking to improve what my predecessors have done. The theatre is an ever evolving world always looking for the next step. To strive for the future I want to take a step back and try to reexamine scenery in hopes of actively bringing about the next generation of thinking. For example stock platforms are an age old tradition in theatre however through varying degrees of research and hands on experience I find there is room for improvement. This semester I have been shadowing my mentor in a class that deals entirely with stock scenery and looking at why we build the way we do. The problem is that as the world around us changes so too must scenic construction.
There is an old idiom the dictates the construction field – “Cost vs. Weight vs. Strength.” This constant struggle helps guide us into the decisions we make when building. Research has shown that some of the strongest materials are becoming too expensive due to deforestation. In the same sense inferior materials can be weaker and weigh outrageous amounts. However we must struggle to find a balance in this ever changing world. Stock scenery is a cost saver but only if it lasts. As with anything the current way of building has limitations. The platforms here are built well but due to poor storage and just constant wear and tear tend to break. There is such a strong foundation for stock scenic elements however there is room for improvement and in theatre we are always looking to the future.