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How to Design Stages With Ramps

Most stage designs include ramps. Depending on the ambient and atmosphere of the stage and show you intend to design, more or fewer ramps need to be sketched into the original design plans. If you are designing a musical stage show, several ramps are a good idea to work with to create a good audience-performer relationship, however, if you are designing a stage for the theater, the ramps will have symbolism and thought with regard to the show. All of these characteristics need to be planned before you begin designing, then you can design the ideal stage plan.

Things You'll Need

  • Graph paper
  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Black marker
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Instructions

    • 1

      Research and investigate the space and location of your stage. Analyze the stage you will be working with and where exactly you have ample room to design the set and ramp constructions.

    • 2

      Take a piece of paper and brainstorm your theatrical production. Depending on whether this stage is intended for music, theater or an artistic production, investigation and research is necessary in order to design the stage. This will give life and ambiance to the production for which you are designing.

    • 3

      Pick up your piece of graph paper. This is necessary as it will help to sketch your design symmetrically and use the correct proportions and geometry. Calculate the size of your stage and draw a grid to show the exact measurements of your features.

    • 4

      Sketch a birds-eye plan of your stage. Design two ramps. One ramp to enter and exit from the stage and another in the central area at the back of the stage. This will create an effective performance area in the center of the stage and provide easy access to it.

    • 5

      Design a stage with includes several ramps so the audience feels the performance intimately. Draw two ramps on either side of the stage. Draw a ramp in the center of the stage and small ramp at the front. This will add possibility for audience interaction.

    • 6

      Experiment with your designs on graph paper until you have four or five good ideas. Outline them with a black marker and label all of your measurements and features clearly.

Stage Productions

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