floor construction, deliver the finished stage efficiently, on time and on budget. For purposes of this how-to, I will be discussing the construction of a standard 4’x8’ platform on 2’ legs. Remove the bolts connecting the legs for easy storage. Why use bolts to attach the legs instead of screws or nails? We welcome your comments and Drill pilot holes from the angle cut 2x4 into the leg. Both types of flats can be "skinned" on both sides so they can be turned around to form the backdrop of another scene. I need to join 2 flats together, to get a double sided flat for a film set. Common rules of thumb dictate that the lid should not overhang the framing by more than three inches, and that internal framing should be two feet or less apart. One of the important considerations in building your theater room is the inclusion of a home theater riser. 29% Off. The shorter pieces of 2x4 will be between the 8’ pieces. In all cases, a sprinkler system is needed. No wonder there’s confusion. Though slightly more expensive up front, you’ll get a longer life out of both the fasteners and the platform by using bolts instead of screws. The 8’ 2x4 will be on the outside of the 2 shorter pieces. You will probably paint your stage eventually anyway, and color is not a good indicator of wood health or strength. You will have 4’3” of wood left from one 2x4, cut it into two 2’ pieces. Now, using the 8’ boards and two 3’9” boards, form the outline of your frame and secure it together with wood screws. The risk of fire due to the greater fuel load of curtains, scenery, lighting, etc… all packed into the stage area. You can build theatre flats from lumber, plywood, and cloth. Consider adding black fabric to hide the legs of your stage if you plan on using it professionally! Not necessarily! This will give you a large area to drill your holes for the bolts. Brian D. Taylor is the project editor for Pioneer Drama Service, a published playwright and a former drama teacher. Place the third 3’9” piece of 2x4 in the middle to support the center of the platform. Flats come in two styles. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be Drill pilot holes in the side of the angle cut 2x4 into the beam of the stage frame. Platforms are composed of a frame, a lid, and legs. To receive your payments from our platform, you need to be above the age of 18 years or the minimum age prescribed as per your local law of land. Lids are typically made from a sheet of plywood, although oriented strand board is also sometimes used. Adding curtains would require a bigger budget, as you would have to create a proscenium arch and supports for the curtains. Attach the third 3’9” board to support the center of the frame. These are the legs for your platform. This revised third edition of the popular college textbook has been fully updated throughout to reflect the evolving nature of theatre design. Not exactly! 26% Off. © 2020 American Society of Theatre Consultants, Let the Sunshine In – Daylight in Performing Arts Buildings, ASTC Announces New Fellows and Member for 2020. Begin by cutting your 2x4s to the necessary lengths: Now, using the 8’ boards and two 3’9” boards, form the outline of your frame and secure it together with wood screws. Simply adjust the plans as needed, noting that taller platforms may need additional leg support. By combining multiple stage platforms, you can build a stage in any shape or size you desire. http://ibuildtheater.com/plan/4x8-broadway-flat/, http://ibuildtheater.com/plan/flat-construction-hollywood/, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flats_%28theatre%29, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow, Lumber dimensions refer to the unfinished boards, so 1-by-3-inch lumber actually measures. Read on for another quiz question. This article has been viewed 149,970 times. Then, nail a 96 inch stud to the bottoms of the two 69 inch studs. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Check to make sure the bolts attaching your legs are secure each time you use the stage. Choose another answer! Finally, attach the plywood to the frame with smaller wood screws. by Octane Seating. With the legs attached, a 4’x8’x2’ platform takes up 64 cubic feet of space. Attach the carpet to the rise using carpet tacks or nails. The other two 2x4s will be used to make the frame. Arrange 2 8 foot pieces of 2x4s on the top and bottom of the frame to complete it, then use wood screws to secure it together. This simple tutorial will show you how to make platforms that are strong, built to last for years and years and even relatively easy to store. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Build-a-Theatre-Flat-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Build-a-Theatre-Flat-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Build-a-Theatre-Flat-Step-1.jpg\/aid1451838-v4-728px-Build-a-Theatre-Flat-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"