What is the difference between a Flat

A flat is a 1x3 (or 1x4) wood frame covered with muslin, canvas or 1/4 inch plywood. It is generally used to form the walls of a set.

    Platform,

A platform is a 2x4 wood frame covered with 3/4 inch plywood. They are used to change the level (or elevation) of the acting area.

    and Drop?

A drop is a large unframed sheet of muslin hung from a pipe (or batten) suspended from the ceiling of the stage. It is generally used as a backdrop at the rear of the stage. The most often used drop is probably the cyc or sky drop.

1. What is stock scenery?

Stock scenery is standardized rectangular flats (including door, window and fireplace flats) which can be easily assembled into a set. Because they are standardized, they can be quickly repainted and used in another production. The use of stock scenery can reduce the set budget for a show to the cost of paint.

2. What are the standard heights of the flats in a stock set?

12, 14, and 16 feet. Units over 16' in height are difficult to handle. Probably the most commonly used set height is 12 feet.

3. What are the standard widths?

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 feet. Walls wider than 6 feet are assembled from two or more flats.

4. What is the standard width of a stock door, window, or fireplace flat?

5 or 6 feet.

5. What is the typical size of the "hole" in a door flat?

3' x 7 foot. The "hole" is normally centered in the flat.

    A window flat?

3' x 6 foot. The bottom of the window is usually 2' above the stage floor.

    A fireplace flat?

3' x 3 foot.

6. What is a backing flat?

Two or more short flats representing the adjoining room, placed behind a door or arch unit. Backing flats are normally 8 feet tall.

7. How does a Hollywood Flat differ from a theatrical flat?

A Hollywood Flat (also known as a hard flat) is covered with 1/4 plywood or Luan (also known as 1/4" Mahagony Underlayment) instead of muslin.

8. What is a a book flat?

A book flat, or two-fold, is two flats which are hinged (and dutchmaned) on the face. They can be folded together like a book for easy storage. Opened to a 90 degree angle, they can create a stable scenic unit for a multi-set show.

    A "three-fold?"

A three-fold is three flats which are hinged (and dutchmaned) on the face for easy storage. When opened, they create a mini-box set.

9. What is the "dutchman?"

The dutchman is a 6" wide strip of muslin which is "glued" (with paint) over the joint between adjacent flats.

1. In a door unit, what is
    The shutter,

The door. Although the shutter can be built in the shop I recommend the use of a "standard" 2'6" x 6'8" hollow-core door.

    The facing, and

The wood frame (often a 1x4 or 1x6) which surrounds the door.

    The thickness?

The thickness or door jamb (often a 1x6) represents the thickness of the wall. The shutter is hinged to the thickness.

2. What is the difference between an independent door unit and

In an independent door unit, the shutter, facing and thickness are assembled into a single, independent door unit which is then slipped (and bolted) into the "hole" of a door flat. During strike the door unit is pulled out of the flat and stored in the shop for reuse. Independent door units are standard in stock companies presenting realistic drama set in a typical box set. The company may have 10 or 12 door flats but only 3 or 4 door units.

    A dependent door unit?

In a dependent unit the facing is attached to the front of the flat and the thickness and shutter are attached to the rear of the flat creating a single unit. During strike the entire unit is disassembled into a door flat, a shutter (or door) and a pile of lumber.

3. Why do doors, on a conventional box set, open off stage?

Because stage doors are traditionally hinged on the upstage side and open off stage, they become self masking-- blocking the audience's view of back stage. Also, only one side of the door is seen by the audience.

4. Describe a way of assembling a double door flat.

The simplest way to assemble a double door flat is to sandwich a header (or plug) between two flats. The flats would be part of the wall, and the header is placed above the double door unit. If the double door unit is 6'x7' and the wall is 12' tall, the plug would need to be 6' wide by 5' high. If the two flats are 2' wide, the entire structure would be 10' x 12'.

5. What is the difference between a double hung sash window,

These three windows types refer to an architectual style. A double-hung sash window is found is many homes built during the 19th and early 20th century. This style has two almost square sashs (top and bottom) which slide vertically in tracks attached to the sides of the window.

    Casement window,

A casement window has two long narrow rectangular sashes (left and right) which are hinged to the sides of the window and generally open out.

    French window?

French windows are floor length casement windows which usually open onto a balcony or garden.

6. What can be used to create the effect of glass in a window?

Traditionally the window sash is left open. If necessary, a glass effect can be created using plexiglass, acetate sheeting, or nylon netting. Because of safety issues, real glass should not be used on stage.

1. What are the standard sizes of stock theatrical platform/wagons?

4x8, 4x4, 2x8, 2x4, 2x2, and the right triangles which can be created by cutting any of these stock platforms along the diagonal.

2. How many standard 4x8 platforms will be needed to assemble a 16x24 deck?

12 platforms.
Three across (3 * 8' = 24') by four deep (4 * 4' = 16')

3. How can you deaden the "echo" sound of a platform?

The usual technique is to cover the deck with a rug or sheets of fiberboard such as Homasote or Masonite's

4. What is the difference between the rise, tread and carriage of a step unit?

Rise: The vertical face (or step height) of a stair unit...
Tread: The horizontal surface of a stair unit -- the part you walk on...
Carriage: The 2x12 (or 3/4" plywood) which supports the tread and riser. Normally the spacing between carriages is no more than 2 feet.

5. What is the standard tread width?

12 inches. Stair treads are normally cut from either 3/4" plywood or a 1x12.

    Riser height?

6 or 8 inches. The riser, which normally supports little or no weight, is usually cut from 1/4 ply.

6. What are escape steps?

The off stage step unit which lead up to (or down from) a platform.

7. Sketch how a 3-step unit can suggest a flight of stairs to the second floor.

Below is a front elevation illustrating how 2- 3-step step units, a 4x8 flat (representing a wall) and a 4 foot wide platform can be assembled to suggest a stairs to the second floor.