STEP 6: Build your design
You will need:
Alternatively, you could use this handy how-to-
guide to build a super chic all-purpose theatre
set. You can use these in whichever way you like,
to play improvisation games, or even in your
writing process (it sounds very professional if
you refer to your ‘writing process’ whenever
possible, trust me I do it all the time, ed) .
1 Cover your surfaces with newspaper or
plastic sheeting, this activity can get messy.
2 Collect as many cardboard boxes as you
can. They need to be in good condition, not
dented or broken. Differing sizes and shapes
work better than uniform sizes.
3 Tape up the open ends with black tape.
– More than one person (optional,
but it’s quite a lot of work for one)
– Cardboard boxes
– Black tape
– Blackboard paint
– White acrylic paint
We’ve chosen things to represent the Greek gods
of Olympus, but most of them can have more than
one meaning. The eye can be an eye, but it can
also represent CCTV, the evil eye, or the Cyclops.
You can stack boxes up to create trees and pillars,
bodies of water, or large animals. Actors can take
them apart during the scene to rearrange the
space, or construct the props they need.
4 Paint all the cardboard boxes with
blackboard paint. We have chosen this paint
because a little goes a long way and it has a
nice matt finish. It’s water-based and only
needs one coat.
5 Leave to dry.
6 With white acrylic paint, paint different
Take it further:
Just how far can you take this make?
We’d love to see your stage sets in
action. Head to the readers’ page at
aquila.co.uk/readers-page and follow
the link to send in your letters, or send
them in the post to our usual address.
symbols and pictures onto the boxes.