Scenic Work – Chloe Stoakes

All that I am

The Electric

Spring Operas: Triple Bill

Queer Cabaret

All that
I am

Filmed in Bute Theatre,RWCMD, 2021.

Production Photos: Kristen McTernan

A socially distanced show staged end on for film. The set was made up of a painted backcloth and 6 platforms for each character. These platforms were covered in a painted canvas to tie the set together.

Gridding Up

We stretched out the cloth from the center to ensure that it would be evenly stretched, then covered it with a wash of water to allow the cloth to shink before starting. We created a grid using chalk lines to allow us to scale up from our reference image.

Sampling

We began by creating samples for the designer. As the cloth is the main set element, our focus was on getting our whole team working with the same style and technique for a consitent effect. We created the layered cloud effect by experimenting with different washes of dilluted flints paints.

Layering

We worked in layers in order to get depth to the canvas. We began with a wash.

Adapting tools

We attached brushes to broom handles to cover more distance without stepping on and disturbing the wet paint or leaving prints

Creating clouds

We poured on layers of flints/water wash on to the canvas, keeping it wet to allow the paint to spread and bloom into patterns. We wanted to avoid any Tie-dye effect so we would then brush the water into the shape we wanted.

Covering the platforms

The platforms on the set also needed covering with the same style of canvas. To get this material to the right size for the Rostra, I measured and cut the material to size. We had an excess of fabric on the edges as an allowance for any shrinkage of the cloth as it dried. I used a large set square to mark out the edges to get the line straight on the cutting.

The Electric

Sherman Theatre, 2021.

Production Photos: Kristen McTernan

The Electric was performed as part of The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama’s New Season. The design was set in a dingy club with a concrete floor. I worked in a team to create the concrete effect flooring and also assisted in set dressing, weatheringthe bar and graffiting the set.

Prepping the tiles

To prepare to make the concrete flooring, we began by washing the MDF tiles with PVA and water to help fix the "concrete" mixture to the boards.

Applying the "concrete"

We created of a mixture of vermiculite and idenden using a hand held mixer. This created a mix that wouldnt crack under use. We applied using a plastering trowel.

Texturing

We created cardboard stencils to allow add texturing to the boards.

Painting

We built up layers of colour on the concrete using washes of paint and water.

We worked in layers to cover the warm tint from the mixture.

Paint Call

At the paintcall we fillered over the holes made by drilling the concrete tiles down and repainted these areas.

Dirty down & Weathering

I created marks and stains on the bar keeping in mind where natural wear and tear was likely, in order to convincingly weather the bar. I applied watered down paint to the bottom of pint glasses in order to leave a convincing ring.

Finishing

We used paint pens to graffiti the set and added posters using spray glue.

Spring Opera: Triple Bill

Sherman Theatre Main Space, March 2021.

Production Photos: Kristen McTernan

Zebra Bonquette
Creating fake leaves & dirt
Rosina Sign
Patterning stools
CADing and finishing screens
Laying Vinyl floor
Brushed Metallic finishes

This project involved a lot of zebra related problems. I sampled many different mediums- posca pens, paint with covent garden primer,stencilling from a vinyl cut pattern. In the end, I drew the pattern on by hand in the space of an afternoon – I love that predeadline focus!