Arcadia

By Tom Stoppard

Russell Ellis - Assistant Technical Director

Directed by: Scott Kaiser

Scenic Design: Sean O'Skea

Lighting Design: Caisa Sanburg

Costume Design: Pluto Yost-Moore

Technical Director: Thomas Fagerholm

Assistant Technical Directors: Russell Ellis & Finley Osborne

Props Lead: Kin Steltzner

Photo: Josh Gefken

As technical director for Arcadia I drafted the construction drawings for two of the scenic units, columns, and the transom windows. During the production process I led carpentry crews to construct the set, using construction drafting from the entire Technical Direction team.

Columns

501- Column Construction

Plate detailing the final construction of the columns, built with 1/2" plywood and foam detailing.

Eight columns were constructed, and attached to the walls using plywood blocks behind the luan wall facing.

Each column was custom fitted to the wall, with adjustments made for the detailing to fit to wall angles.

502 - Base Detail

Plate detailing the bottom section of the columns, constructed with 2x4, plywood, and detailed using molding mitered into the central section.

503 - Topper Detail

Plate detailing the topper for the columns. Constructed with 1" and 2" rigid insulation foam.

Column Construction

Column cores before detailing added

Base detail - before filler applied

Columns before painting

Painted columns before install

Columns installed - upstage center door

Transom Windows

801 - Transom Windows CNC Cutting Paths

I laid out these programming plates for our CNC operator. As ATD I was overseeing CNC operations rather than operating them myself, due to my experience with CNC operation and programming.

Layered and attached together, with mullions piece at bottom. Voile stapled at back of window.

Transom window installed in Upstage Left opening. Attached with plywood blocks into curved framing above.

Curved Platforming

The curved platforms were cut with a CNC router, and laid out to maximize the usage of stock 4x8 platforming past the curve. The upstage center platforming was 3/4" ply laid across kneewalls.

As assistant technical director I led teams in installing different platform sections, as well as using a flush trim router for custom fit masonite.

A curved step was attached, constructed with plywood cut with on the CNC.

Walls

The walls were 14' tall, constructed from stock and built flats attatched together. 4'x8', 4'x10', 4'x12', and 2'x8' flats were used. Two 4' wide flats attached together at the bottom, with an appropriately sized 8' tall flat attached at the top lying horizontally.

Flats were installed starting with the upstage center door, and working out from there. Sections were screwed into the platforming or stage floor, with stage jacks supporting the backs.

Each 8' wide section was attached at an angle to the neighboring flats, with wedges being used to maintain angles when screwed together.

Final Details and Furniture

A chair rail was added between the columns, and a custom built crown molding was attached at the top of the walls. Furniture constructed and pulled by Props.

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