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Endless West Regular user A town called Malice 185 Posts |
I've been using a rope as the edge of my stage in birthday shows since I started.
I've found that a lot of times the rope ends up being fidgeted with and moved around. Does anyone use a strip of tape? I've thought about doing this but worry about leaving a residue on some nice hardwoods or carpet. Any suggestions on not-so-sticky tape I could use, or an alternative? Endless West!! |
MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
I use the front line of kids. I direct the early seating and let them know how close the front row can sit. After I get the front row seated, I wait until the rest of the group is seated. Then, during my opening, I mention that the kids in the front row are my security team and that no one is allowed past my security team unless I specifically ask them to come up. It gives the front row kids a sense of importance and of being part of the show, and it lets the rest of the group see a visible boundary that will be enforced, without actually saying so.
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Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
Masking tape! I get the 88 cent rolls from Wal-mart.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
I tried a rope too and had the same issues. I worry about using tape on anyone else's surfaces.
Like Michael, I place the front row. It saves time. I tell them not to scoot forward because I'll be Juggling and I don't want to conk them on the head. The Kids laugh at the idea and I emphasize it by bringing a beanbag down almost to the point of touching one of the Kid's heads. Kids will move in but if it is a problem I say, you may want to scoot back for this one because it is pretty scary, or you'll want to be able to see all of this, etc... It is not a big problem if you fill your "stage" by walking in your claimed areas. If you have a particular Kid that is an issue you can kindly move them back behind some other Kids. "I love your enthusiasm but I'm going to need you to sit here Marshal." is the type of comment I use. -Mary Mowder |
jamiedoyle Special user Lafayette, IN 619 Posts |
I've used painters tape at schools and churches. My favorite is the small orange cones with ribbon strung across.
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Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
Sounds like thr cones and ribbon look nice but do the Kids play with the ribbon to the point of distraction? Does the line migrate?
-Mary Mowder |
jamiedoyle Special user Lafayette, IN 619 Posts |
I've not had the line migrate nor the kids play with the ribbon to the point of distraction.
I had a buddy who would bring in small area rugs (bright colors and depending on the size of the group had an idea of how many to lay down) and told the kids they all needed to stay on the rugs - because the rugs were a new element introduced, the kids wanted to be on them and stay on them. This was primarily for parties in homes. |
MeetMagicMike Inner circle Gainesville Fl 3501 Posts |
Yeah, it's really amazing. If you put tape down absolutely perfectly the kids might leave it alone. But if there is the slightest ripple they can't resist messing with it. You're up there doing your best stuff and a few of the kids are just fascinated with pulling this tape up and then trying to put it back down but there's alway another ripple...
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A Show By Joe Elite user Long Island 405 Posts |
I always use painters tape. I my younger age parties, I make a big deal putting it down, making it crooked, redoing it and stuff. The , I make believe it is a tight rope and keep losing my balance on it. Eventually a kid will show me up, and I get a train going. I get to finish setting up while I tell them try going backwards, hop on one foot, ect. Then I say "Now, everyone freeze, and sit down... Now"! I congratulate one kid, which gets them all to listen, and then start. For older kids the tape works fine on its own. I do something simp!e close up, and then they take thier place behind the tape.
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jamiedoyle Special user Lafayette, IN 619 Posts |
Joe - that's an awesome way to make simple painters tape just a prelude to your show!
Do you bring different colors to match your show or contrast the flooring color -- or -- do you think it matters? |
scenic effects New user Wisconsin - USA 77 Posts |
I have some rolls of tape that I got from a physical education teacher that is specifically made for hardwood gym floors. I know it's available from education supply companies. It leaves no residual adhesive on floors.
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A Show By Joe Elite user Long Island 405 Posts |
Hi Jamie,
I use the regular blue. I don't think color matters much. I find after every show before I go, kids are more than willing to help with the peeling off of the tape from the floor. That also gives you a chance to get tangled up in pieces of the tape. ( around your hands, your legs, back of your pants). I will run around like a dog chasing his tail! |
Neznarf Inner circle NY then AZ now 1840 Posts |
Blue 1/2" Tape from Ace Hardware or Home Depot.
Works Great. Or 1/4" Tape if you can fine it
"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning how to dance in the rain."
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Save money by looking on the internet for a bulk of the tape you like to use.
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The Great Zucchini Inner circle 1347 Posts |
I totally agree with using the first row as the boundary.
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0pus Inner circle New Jersey 1739 Posts |
Have you tried taping the first row of kids down with the blue tape?
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Steve Burton Loyal user 258 Posts |
Be careful of the tape you use and be sure to choose "low impact". I use Scotch Blue Painters Tape-Delicate Surface. Why? It's one of those learn from experience situations with a painted floor and a rather embarrassing line across the floor when I took up the tape. It can also harm carpets and wood if it pulls up the surface when you're finished.
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Billybonkers Loyal user Diamond Bar L.A 251 Posts |
I use rope too and it works okay.
I have considered using something like this. I realise it would be a pain to transport but it would be handy if they knew they had their own square. http://www.rtrkidsrugs.com/Color-Blocks-......lick=856 |
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