Scenic materials

It's been years since I've worked in a scene shop but I find myself working on a project for my church and I'm having trouble remembering the name of something I want to use:

Does anyone recall a sheetrock-type of board that was often used as filigree or other decorative shapes on top of regular muslin flats? It was easy to cut and took paint very well.

I'd appreciate your help.

Updated On: 8/18/21 at 03:12 PM

From Upson Downs? Very classy place.

I think you mean GYPSUM board, but that's the same thing as drywall, which is the same thing as sheetrock.

What is it you want to make, specifically? Regular sheet cardboard, styrofoam sheets, stencil/spackle wouldn't work?

Perhaps Foamcore?

Sorry Tag. Masonite is very hard to cut thru and warps instantly with paint.

Consider homasote (same thing as celotex). Easy to cut, needs a coat of primer to seal before painting. Relatively lightweight.

Gatorboard could also work. Even more lightweight but strong. Unfortunately it’s pricey.

Updated On: 8/19/21 at 11:39 AM

Dollypop said: "I'm building a Nativity stable for 10" figures, but want to elevate it about 8" so people sitting a few rows back can see it. I'd re-purposed an old gabled stable and it looked sensational but someone donated new, larger figures so the old stable won't work.

While I'm at it, I decided to make it look more like a cave because I've been to the Holy Land and there's no such thing as gabled roofs there.

Also, this has to be portable for storage and lightweight. I won't be around forever and I'm thinking of the delicate church ladies who will be setting this up when I'm gone.

Any suggestions?"

My first thought is to crate your cave by sculpting a chicken wire frame in the shape of your cave. TIP: Wear gloves to protect you fingers/hands from the sharp points of the chicken wire!

Once you've got your frame shaped the way you like it, do one of the following:

1. Cover the frame with papier mache. Easiest paper mache recipe: dip strips of newspaper into liquid laundry starch ( liquid laundry starch . Run the strip between your fingers to remove excess starch, then apply to frame. Allow to dry completely (a few days), then paint. -OR-
2. Use an expanding craft spray foam (i.e., ) See: How To Use Spray Foam For Crafts to cover your wire frame. Drying time is about 24 hrs, after which you can sculpt the dried foam using any combination of tools (knife, sandpaper, Dremel tool, etc.), then apply paint. -OR-
3. In the photo below the link, the crafter applied the expanding foam, then covered with papier mache after the foam was completely dried, then painted.

Inspirations:

Cave created with a can of "Great Stuff" spray foam