So....ARGHHH theatre techies...*or anyone smarter than me...I need your help!**

[CatieElphie1]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 8:34pm

So: i'm in fiddler right now...(that's where I've been...who missed me?) anyway....
Are there any tried and true theatre techniques for making your everyday piece of white computer paper look old? I've tried coffee and iced tea...nothin'. HELP!

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 8:35pm

Crumple it...

[CatieElphie1]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 8:37pm

but it will still be WHITE....i need it to be like parchment-y

[Plum]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 8:38pm

Are you sure tea staining didn't work? Try using real tea instead of iced.

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 8:38pm

Run over it with a car.

Well, it works with costume pieces, can't hurt to try. I did it with many hats and white shirts in Les Mis to get that ghetto-grunge look goin' on.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 8:38pm

buy brownish paper and crumple it!

[CatieElphie1]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 8:40pm

now I have tire tracks on my paper...lol thanks for the tips, guys

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 8:59pm

make a cup of tea, like the tea with tea bags. Then take the tea bag and run it over the paper. It should work.

[Marlene]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 9:07pm

Strong hot tea or coffee works, but tea is better since you won't have an overly strong smell. Basically make the tea...and them put the piece of paper in like a pan or a casarole dish...or stick it in a pot or a fairly large bowl. Let it soak for a while...crupple a bit while in the tea...drain...let try...and iron between a towel or directly on low if you want it to be smooth in the end. Hrrrrm...you might also want to rip around the edges and then you'll have that nice sort of darker edge around the areas you ripped if that's what you're going for.

[Elizabeth_DeBris]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 9:10pm

I think you can bake it (just put it in the oven for a little while). Not sure how well that works, and it's dependent on whether or not you own an oven, though...


Edit: Used the wrong form of "it's..." Updated On: 6/25/05 at 09:10 PM

[Marlene]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 9:14pm

^Yes, that works too...it's a little dangerous, if you're domestically challenged (like me). I would keep an eye on it, so you don't have a bonfire in your oven. Personal experience.

[MyNameInLights]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 9:19pm

You can buy parchment...

[Elizabeth_DeBris]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 9:19pm

Is it really that bad? ^_^;; Uh, yeah, don't rush into that one... If you've already done that and have started a fire: please don't sue me...

[CatieElphie1]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 9:35pm

I tried tea and coffee....the whole bake the paper thing, while I'm sure it works wonderfully, prob'ly isn't the best plan for a girl who once burned herself pouring a glass of water.

[UglyBug]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 9:55pm

just go to a craft store a buy a few sheets of parchment looking scrap book paper.

[KelRel]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 10:07pm

lemon juice, soak the paper in that and then put it in the oven for about 5 minutes or until it turns brownish

[Marlene]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 10:17pm

"Is it really that bad?"

Honestly, I don't think so Elizabeth...but I've been notorious for setting off a few small fires in my kitchen. And I think I turned the oven up too much...and waiting a tad bit too long.

I mean...you can get this kind of stuff at Kate's, Pearl Paint, or like any craft store in the city...without all the trouble.

[CatieElphie1]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 11:34pm

and by in the city you mean New York, right? Well....I guess I could fly out there and be back by..yeah if I left....yep that'll work

:)

[Jon]

Posted: 6/26/05 at 8:14am

Do you NOT have an Office Max, Office Depot, Staples, or some other office supply store nearby? They have plenty of paper in all colors and textures.