[SML] Grass and sand on stage

[Kristi R-C]

Your director seems to have forgotten that grass needs LOTS of sunlight to remain green. And sod will probably come with "pets" which you do not want in your space. It will burn. That coupled with the watering, as you mentioned and the weight and high probability of damage to the floor makes this a "no."  Use the raffia.

Explore the idea of painting the floor and covering with just enough sand to make a sound - think of soft shoe dancers in vaudeville. Or pay for the cork. 

HTH


Kristi R-C



---- Original Message ----
From: Matthew J. Evans via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
To: Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
Sent: Thu, Dec 18, 2014 9:43 pm
Subject: Re: [SML] Grass and sand on stage




Hello!  I'm getting ready for devised performance installation in our black box.  There are three rooms that surround the main black box the director plans on leading the audience into during the performance. The first room is the "earth room" - in this room the director has asked for grass on the floor.  I've found a company that sells raffia grass mats and are flame retardant.  This sounds like the perfect solution - right?  Well, the director threw me a curve ball today and said she wants real grass.  I was wondering if anyone has done this in the past and what the challenges are using sod?  The first challenge I can think of is the sod flame retardant? I'm pretty sure I can't hook up sprinklers up nightly - Stage Management would hate me - haha!


The second room is "under the ocean". The room is 10'x30' and she wants sand on the floor. I've talked to too many people that have put sand in their theatre and say it's a nightmare after the show closes.  I've looked into using granulated cork (FYI cork is flame retardant), however it is expensive.


Please share your thoughts and if you have any granulated cork for sale!


P.S. I think the SM's will hate me regardless after this show! haha




Thank You,


Matt Evans

Technical Director - University Of Dayton



 
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