The Scenic Route Blog

Environments for stage or screen often depict integrated sculpture in their design: carved bas-relief, friezes, keystones, cornices, columns, capitals, and other decorative components to help tell the story at hand. When a particular production requires this three-dimensional, sculpted detail we often utilize thermoformed/vacuum-formed plastics, or expanded polystyrene to achieve the desired look for these elements. A number of plastics can […]

How Final Strike Collaborative Came to Life—and Why We Need Scenic Artists to Help Lead the Next Chapter You’ve probably participated in a strike if you work in theatre or anywhere in the entertainment industry. Not a protest, but the final tear-down of a production. And if you’ve struck a show, you’ve also stood next to the dumpsters. You’ve watched […]

The set of The Pocket Park Kids at New York City Children’s Theater made from recycled materials. Photo Credit: Shintaro Ueyama 7 Strategies for Set Designers with the Broadway Green Alliance Sets are one of the most visible sources of waste in theatre, making them a prime opportunity to showcase sustainability in action. By minimizing the use of new materials […]

9 Green Tricks for Scenic Artists Being a “Green Scenic” usually means what shade of green we have on our hands, but this article will present some ways in which we can be another type of green—better for the world around us green. Not only do our jobs use chemicals that aren’t great for air or water quality, but we […]

One of the most important lessons we can learn as Scenics is how to safely discard materials after they’ve been used. Since our sinks can eventually lead to rivers, lakes, and other waterways, many states have developed regulations prohibiting the disposal of paints in this manner. (Example: CA state law) So… how should extra materials be properly tossed after you’ve […]

We can’t eliminate our carbon footprint, but with smart choices and better practices we can make a difference.

Last March, The Guild of Scenic Artists introduced a brand new tool for its members to add to their Scenic kit, Mighty Networks. But what exactly is Mighty Networks and how can members get the most out of this new resource? Mighty Networks is an all-in-one software platform that is specifically designed for communities like The Guild. While you can […]

I don’t know about everyone else, but I’ve definitely experienced my share of poorly reproduced, pixelated imagery. As a scenic artist, I also know my phone is filled with snapshots of textures—cracked paint, rusted metal, faux marble—captured from job sites, museum walls, back alleys, and even the occasional train station bathroom. I’ve come to realize I’m not alone. Many other […]

Happy New Year from the Guild of Scenic Artists!   You may remember that the Guild sent out a demographic survey for our members to fill out in November.  Our goal was to understand better what you, our membership, identify as, what industry you work in, your years of experience, and, most importantly, how hard the COVID-19 related shutdowns have hit […]

To sustain the benefits it brings to the Scenic community, the Guild has moved to a paid membership model. Here’s the story.

The Guild has been a member organization for a year! It’s time for a message from our President, Tina Yager.

Originally published in USITT’s Theatre Design & Technology journal, Andrew Okerson overviews how to optimize your projection surfaces with custom coatings. As projection technology advances the theatre world, educational and community theatre organizations find the technology more financially viable and accessible. When purchasing a new projector, these groups know to painstakingly review important elements of their projection systems like projector […]

I don’t know about everyone else, but I’ve definitely experienced my share of poorly reproduced, pixelated imagery. As a scenic artist, I also know my phone is filled with snapshots of textures—cracked paint, rusted metal, faux marble—captured from job sites, museum walls, back alleys, and even the occasional train station bathroom. I’ve come to realize I’m not alone. Many other […]

Environments for stage or screen often depict integrated sculpture in their design: carved bas-relief, friezes, keystones, cornices, columns, capitals, and other decorative components to help tell the story at hand. When a particular production requires this three-dimensional, sculpted detail we often utilize thermoformed/vacuum-formed plastics, or expanded polystyrene to achieve the desired look for these elements. A number of plastics can […]

How Final Strike Collaborative Came to Life—and Why We Need Scenic Artists to Help Lead the Next Chapter You’ve probably participated in a strike if you work in theatre or anywhere in the entertainment industry. Not a protest, but the final tear-down of a production. And if you’ve struck a show, you’ve also stood next to the dumpsters. You’ve watched […]

The unfortunate story to a great set is often in the shape of a dumpster. This is the story of one set getting a brief pardon, as a Museum Artifact!

Transforming a museum space into an intimate dinner venue can be easy with the right crew.

I don’t know about everyone else, but I’ve definitely experienced my share of poorly reproduced, pixelated imagery. As a scenic artist, I also know my phone is filled with snapshots of textures—cracked paint, rusted metal, faux marble—captured from job sites, museum walls, back alleys, and even the occasional train station bathroom. I’ve come to realize I’m not alone. Many other […]

How Final Strike Collaborative Came to Life—and Why We Need Scenic Artists to Help Lead the Next Chapter You’ve probably participated in a strike if you work in theatre or anywhere in the entertainment industry. Not a protest, but the final tear-down of a production. And if you’ve struck a show, you’ve also stood next to the dumpsters. You’ve watched […]

Tiffany Fier takes us behind the headset and unmasks the process of using Virtual Reality for Scenic layout. In the past, I’ve seen posts on social media here and there of muralists using VR headsets to layout their designs, but until our Scenic Painter at American Players Theatre, Jenn Kuberka, mentioned a local muralist using one, I didn’t realize it […]

Originally published in USITT’s Theatre Design & Technology journal, Andrew Okerson overviews how to optimize your projection surfaces with custom coatings. As projection technology advances the theatre world, educational and community theatre organizations find the technology more financially viable and accessible. When purchasing a new projector, these groups know to painstakingly review important elements of their projection systems like projector […]

It’s always a special day when you have enough budget to spring for some of the colors designed for theatrical use. I’ve painted so many shows with a budget that required me to rely heavily on the Oops paint selection at a couple of different paint stores.  I came up through the high realism era of Chicago theatre when the […]

Rosco Metallix paints are water-based, acrylic paints that are formulated with mica powder to produce vibrant metallic finishes. Metallix paints can be applied via brush, roller, or spray to any appropriately primed surface and dry to an even, satin sheen. Available in quart and gallon sizes, Metallix is perfect for scenic artists looking to enhance scenic elements, paint gilded set […]

How Final Strike Collaborative Came to Life—and Why We Need Scenic Artists to Help Lead the Next Chapter You’ve probably participated in a strike if you work in theatre or anywhere in the entertainment industry. Not a protest, but the final tear-down of a production. And if you’ve struck a show, you’ve also stood next to the dumpsters. You’ve watched […]

Working with FR muslins can be tricky and frustrating. Knowing your battles before you begin can save you hours of frustrations and ugly scenery.

Protecting your paint job is just as important as protecting your audience from fire. Learn how NOT to do it wrong.

Most Scenics may like their Umber Raw; But Bridgette’s a bit of a hippy and likes hers earthy.

We can’t eliminate our carbon footprint, but with smart choices and better practices we can make a difference.

Don’t Eat It! Eat Me! Drink Me! Consuming unknown substances usually only ends well in fairytales… and even then, it’s often a gamble. While it may seem like a good idea at the time, in the long run, it’s probably not. There are several rules and guidelines in any shop you visit, but in mine, the number one rule is: […]

One of the most important lessons we can learn as Scenics is how to safely discard materials after they’ve been used. Since our sinks can eventually lead to rivers, lakes, and other waterways, many states have developed regulations prohibiting the disposal of paints in this manner. (Example: CA state law) So… how should extra materials be properly tossed after you’ve […]

Watch and read as we test fire retardant methods for common soft good materials.

Adjusting your product choices is one key step to continue working as a Scenic while pregnant.

Protecting your paint job is just as important as protecting your audience from fire. Learn how NOT to do it wrong.

Jason Strom suggests a few straightforward measures to practice shop fire safety, demystifies the role of your Fire Marshal and offers that OSHA might be more than just a four-letter word.

Did you know that acetone will permeate a pair of nitrile gloves within one minute? Not all gloves are created equal. Protection starts with knowledge, and we’ve put together some great information for you on how to protect your hands at work.

The first in a month long series of articles where the Guild is “Thankful for Safety”

It’s always a special day when you have enough budget to spring for some of the colors designed for theatrical use. I’ve painted so many shows with a budget that required me to rely heavily on the Oops paint selection at a couple of different paint stores.  I came up through the high realism era of Chicago theatre when the […]

Rosco Metallix paints are water-based, acrylic paints that are formulated with mica powder to produce vibrant metallic finishes. Metallix paints can be applied via brush, roller, or spray to any appropriately primed surface and dry to an even, satin sheen. Available in quart and gallon sizes, Metallix is perfect for scenic artists looking to enhance scenic elements, paint gilded set […]

Blood, Guts, and Raw Umber: An inside look at theming London’s ‘Home of Halloween’ As a team, we in the Studios department of Merlin Entertainments’ London County Hall Attractions are responsible for the creation and maintenance of all theming, props, costumes, hair, and makeup across The London Dungeon, Shrek’s Adventure London and Sealife London Aquarium. As a Scenic Artist and […]

On October 26th, 2022, Guild of Scenic Artists Vice Chair and Resource Director Bridgette Dennett held a Q&A webinar with Henry Cowen, a representative from the premiere company in Scenic paint, Rosco. The goal was to get an update straight from a company representative about production delays, price increases, recipe changes, and the future of many Scenic Artists’ mainstay products. Below […]

Watch and read as we test fire retardant methods for common soft good materials.

Working with FR muslins can be tricky and frustrating. Knowing your battles before you begin can save you hours of frustrations and ugly scenery.

Protecting your paint job is just as important as protecting your audience from fire. Learn how NOT to do it wrong.

Most Scenics may like their Umber Raw; But Bridgette’s a bit of a hippy and likes hers earthy.

The unfortunate story to a great set is often in the shape of a dumpster. This is the story of one set getting a brief pardon, as a Museum Artifact!

Creating a wet, dirty dungeon effect is a piece of cake, when you break it down to its steps, and work as a team.

Translucent Drop effects that transform from day to night because of lighting can be scary to paint the first (or thirteenth) time. Laura Scheving shares her process with us.

Lots of problem-solving lead Rachel Reynolds to stained glass success.

Transforming a museum space into an intimate dinner venue can be easy with the right crew.

Originally published in USITT’s Theatre Design & Technology journal, Andrew Okerson overviews how to optimize your projection surfaces with custom coatings. As projection technology advances the theatre world, educational and community theatre organizations find the technology more financially viable and accessible. When purchasing a new projector, these groups know to painstakingly review important elements of their projection systems like projector […]

Rosco Metallix paints are water-based, acrylic paints that are formulated with mica powder to produce vibrant metallic finishes. Metallix paints can be applied via brush, roller, or spray to any appropriately primed surface and dry to an even, satin sheen. Available in quart and gallon sizes, Metallix is perfect for scenic artists looking to enhance scenic elements, paint gilded set […]

Environments for stage or screen often depict integrated sculpture in their design: carved bas-relief, friezes, keystones, cornices, columns, capitals, and other decorative components to help tell the story at hand. When a particular production requires this three-dimensional, sculpted detail we often utilize thermoformed/vacuum-formed plastics, or expanded polystyrene to achieve the desired look for these elements. A number of plastics can […]

Follow along as we turn plain muslin into a glowing “Neon Sign” using fluorescent paints!

Fluorescent paint, a magical substance we have had access to most of our lives. If we were lucky enough, we got to play around in elementary school with the goopy, yet still thin neon tempera paints that come in the fun squeeze bottle. I felt connected back to my six year old self, telling her that more sophisticated and playful […]

The Sagacious Scenic: Paint Store Savvy 10 am. Big Box Store. It seems all the homeowners have gotten out and about this Saturday morning. We wait fifteen minutes and an employee ambles over to help. A pretty simple request: 5 gal “this blue, interior, flat” After inputting the order information, the employee states there is no base to make that […]

Blood, Guts, and Raw Umber: An inside look at theming London’s ‘Home of Halloween’ As a team, we in the Studios department of Merlin Entertainments’ London County Hall Attractions are responsible for the creation and maintenance of all theming, props, costumes, hair, and makeup across The London Dungeon, Shrek’s Adventure London and Sealife London Aquarium. As a Scenic Artist and […]

9 Green Tricks for Scenic Artists Being a “Green Scenic” usually means what shade of green we have on our hands, but this article will present some ways in which we can be another type of green—better for the world around us green. Not only do our jobs use chemicals that aren’t great for air or water quality, but we […]

Translucent Drop effects that transform from day to night because of lighting can be scary to paint the first (or thirteenth) time. Laura Scheving shares her process with us.

Lots of problem-solving lead Rachel Reynolds to stained glass success.

Last March, The Guild of Scenic Artists introduced a brand new tool for its members to add to their Scenic kit, Mighty Networks. But what exactly is Mighty Networks and how can members get the most out of this new resource? Mighty Networks is an all-in-one software platform that is specifically designed for communities like The Guild. While you can […]

Tiffany Fier takes us behind the headset and unmasks the process of using Virtual Reality for Scenic layout. In the past, I’ve seen posts on social media here and there of muralists using VR headsets to layout their designs, but until our Scenic Painter at American Players Theatre, Jenn Kuberka, mentioned a local muralist using one, I didn’t realize it […]

I don’t know about everyone else, but I’ve definitely experienced my share of poorly reproduced, pixelated imagery. As a scenic artist, I also know my phone is filled with snapshots of textures—cracked paint, rusted metal, faux marble—captured from job sites, museum walls, back alleys, and even the occasional train station bathroom. I’ve come to realize I’m not alone. Many other […]