Stage Platform Construction

Theatre Safety Training Video Series
Cal State LA

Stage Platform Construction

A step-by-step walkthrough of building and assembling a standard stock 2' x 8' platform using 1x6 framing and 3/4" AC plywood for the lid. This is an introductory video to stage platform construction intended for the beginner stagecraft student's first time building a platform from scratch. All pieces were pre-cut off-screen and follow the standard stage platform recommended layout for framing members.

1:03 – Introduction – Building a 2' x 8' Platform
1:21 – Exterior Framing Members
4:19 – Fixing a Splitting 1x6
5:33 – Internal Cross-Member Supports
6:29 – Checking Square on the Outer Frame
9:45 – Installing Cross-Members
12:53 – Attaching the 3/4" AC Plywood Lid
17:04 – Discovery of an Error in Construction
18:03 – Marking the Position of Cross-Members with a Chalk Line
19:18 – Summary, Assessment, Conclusion

For an in-depth study of key concepts and decisions to make while building platforms, please watch one of the accompanying 9-part series of Platform Construction Overview videos:

-----

Cal State LA
Department of Theatre and Dance
College of Arts & Letters
A&L Productions

[annavelychko]

Thank you thank you I am a USC student trying to pass a scenic construction class and this video is saving me <3

[troylazarus]

These platforms can be very clunky when you have actors walking on them with hard soled footware, like boots. We also screwed a Masonite sheet over top of the lid in order to help reduce noise. It makes a huge difference. It's been a while, but I believe we also had 4x4s in the corners that were recessed so we could put casters in there when we needed our platforms to move on stage for set changes. 1 in each corner of the platform and two staggered in the center.

[naomi]

I need to build the Nicholas Brothers dance stage from Stormy Weather (1943) Musical. It looks 16 feet high, 20 feet wide, top platform is about 10 feet round, with six 4x4 x 8 stairs on both sides with two 3 foot wide slides on both sides curving to center, starting from the top. I have a picture.

[rwardseventsllc]

How do we cut off a peak from a prebuilt stage?

[timm]

Is 1 by enough to hold the weight of people and sets? Also are those 1x8s?