Rock, Paper, Scissors: An Easter Stage Design

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!”
― Dr. Seuss

Easter at Ginghamsburg is always a pretty big affair – lots of energy, thought and resources go into rolling out the red carpet to celebrate all new possibilities – in light of Jesus’ unprecedented resurrection. This year Greg the Graphic Designer gave us a fresh “look” using a colorful torn paper/confetti design which turned out to be all we needed to imagine a low-cost, hi-excitement stage set.

Intern Brianna suggested an idea that she and I had both pinned –  a paper mobile design that put us to work reimagining our Easter stage, pic shown here from the website www.ohhappyday.com :

The WHAT IF? sketch: paper twirly mobiles hanging above – complemented by fractiled fabric pieces across the lower section of our stage walls. We confirmed a color scheme, ordered cardstock and warmed up the sewing machines to connect lots and lots of those paper strip mobiles together.

I sewed a TON of those twirley mobiles with help from the amazing Jen Jessup: chiropracter by day, makeover team servant by night. Sorry, no pic of Jen 🙁

Introducing a new servant on this project, Beatrice Montana Casto, A.K.A. “Bea” 🙂

Bea ‘n Me discovering the joys of fabric shopping.

 Robin Nuse creates an under-screen design for the fabric pieces…

…which go on fairly well with a paint roller – but you’ll need three arms. Did you know liquid starch can serve as a temporary adhesive for fabric on walls? It’s also really good for experimenting with “fabric wallpaper” at home -why not?

{You can even upholster the fridge with a little glue and fabric!}

“If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good.”
― Dr. Seuss

For our side walls we were lucky to snag pre-made triangles from Student Ministry stage designer, Lindsay Hefner. YAY! In addition, our mobiles filled up each of the “window wells.”

And just to add some extra fun, artist Trish McKinney splatter-painted the piano shell to match the mood. Trish is soooo good at whatever paint job she’s given. She is. And so we put that piano CENTER stage.

But that meant that the gynormous chicken wire ‘n paper mache STONE our ingenius servant Robin Clark created was going to have to go somewhere else.

So we staged it on the floor directly in front of the speaker space. Do you have challenges in regards to your worship space? We do, especially on holidays. But there is ALWAYS a way around, over or through those challenges – that’s my belief.

The Brain Trust: Clark Miller flanked by the two Dougs …working on the mobile-hanging strategy. These guys are SKILLED SAINTS.

Mobiles are suspended from 22 guage wire connected via eyescrews. Less than $10 for hardware for this project.

Drummers and dancers and singers – oh my.

It was a great worship experience: lights, ambient projection, spot-on music, hip-hop dancers, resurrection stories, and a powerful WORD:

~~~GOD STILL MOVES STONES~~~

…but you just might be asking, “Was it worth all that work for just one weekend?”

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,

Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

― Dr. Seuss

With all this [resurrection] going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.      

I Corinthians 15:58, The Message