CHAPTER 15FLATS
FLATS ARE THE quintessential piece of theatrical scenery and have been around since the renaissance period. The basic rationale behind building flats is to provide a lightweight structure that covers a large area. In earlier times, flats were essentially an oversized artist’s canvas onto which all decoration such as windows, doors, wallpaper, and even furniture were painted. Early stagehands would lash flats together with ropes to form a room or box set. In the early 20th century that method was used to create settings that were inexpensive and easily transported. At that time acting companies made a living doing “one nighters” at theatres in small towns across the country. In this modern era, audiences expect to see a more ...
