Technical Design Solutions for Theatre

Jody Kovalick

Sand on Stage: Minimum Weight, Maximum Effect

A main element of the set for a production of Lije Is a Dream at the Yale School of Drama was a 2″-average-depth layer of sand spread over a 42′ × 29′ playing area. The production team judged that handling the 15 tons of sand needed for that floor was less than desirable. Both load-in and strike would have taken a long time, and loading so much weight on the stage floor seemed unnecessary. Designer Michael Yeargan suggested a simple alternative successfully used at Hartford Stage to make a small quantity of sand look like a much larger one.

The technique involves spreading a relatively thin layer of sand over built-up dunes and an underlayment of carpet chosen to match the color ...