Wacky Walls
The most commonly used piece of scenery in the history of theatre: Scenic and Hollywood.
What are flats?
The type of hardware used for all scenic elements
What are screws?
Weight-bearing surfaces for actors to play upon.
What are platforms?
This commonly used saw is used exclusively for cross cutting.
What is the miter saw? (or chop saw)
This scenic element is a mix between platforms and flats.
What are stairs?
When constructing flats, these horizontal pieces of framing run the entire length.
What are rails?
Known as "long" screws, this size is used for platform frames and legs.
What are 3" screws?
The maximum dimensions a platform can be built.
What is 4 feet by 8 feet?
Goggles, gloves, brooms, and aprons all belong in this phantom category of tools.
What are safety tools?
The framing piece of a stair - also in the shape of a stair. You need at least two.
What are stringers?
What are toggles?
Rarely used for scenic construction, this type of hardware is common when building things to last.
What are nails?
Platforms that are raked
What are ramps?
Made of 1x4 lumber, these are sometimes fastened to platform legs for extra security.
What is cross bracing?
Stairs can be made with exclusively this type of lumber.
What is plywood?
This type of material is used to face a hollywood - or hard - flat.
What is 1/4" Plywood?
Applying this rule of thumb tells you the size screw to use in scenic construction.
What are joists?
This person supervises all technical aspects of an entire production, including all crew heads.
Who is the Technical Director?
The standard depth of a tread.
What is 12 inches?
This water/glue mixture is used to "size" the muslin on a scenic - or soft - flat.
What is dope?
Pushing the head of the screw beyond the surface of the material.
What is counter-sinking?
The kind of dimensional lumber you would use for platform legs, if the platform was very tall.
What is 4x4?
Used as a cutting tool when making pilot holes, though it's most frequently known as a fastening tool.
What is a drill?
After acquiring materials, these are fastened to stringers first.
What are risers?