I like Richard Osterlind's use of a chalkboard for the reveal in several of his routines, but I don't need a fancy $150 Ultra Board. Can someone point me in the direction of a good source for chalkboards that are about the same size as Osterlind's? These things are harder to find than one might think.

I've seen some at local craft stores for a few bucks (like Michael's Crafts)...

Check your yellow pages for teacher/education supply shops. Last time I checked, they still sell student-sized chalkboards.

Or ask some shops like this one (not necessarily this one) if they can make boards in the size you want with the wooden frame color you want...

http://www.hearthsidecollection.net/stor......lkboards

Billy Boards can make you any thing you want. I love his frameless boards easy to carry, light. I use the 12X18 faux slate with rounded corner with the painted edges.
http://www.billyboardsmfg.com/chalkboards.html

All great suggestions. Thanks!

You can buy chalkboard paint at a craft store and make your own.

Ron

Why do you wanna use chalkboard???

In answer to Amira's question, I like the old-school feel of a chalkboard. It just has a little more character than a dry-erase board.

ok..., your choice

I hope that you find good material and perform goood stuffs!

If you are good at working whit wood, you can make you're own in the dimension you want. You can even buy some chalkboard paint in hardware store.
I also prefer the chalkboard over the dry-erase board, since dry-erase board are white and shinny, which make it hard to impossible to read under certain light. Even on instruction dvd you can barely see it right.

I find them at 99 cent stores at times. It is hit and miss but great finds are possible at cheep places. And often they have the look that find great.

Two Words: "Hobby Lobby" or Cratfs, Etc where you may be. Lots of different sizes and inexpensive.

The boards I used on the Corinda video were purchased at my local Hobby Lobby.

As for the reason for chalkboards (Like my Ultra Board); you have to see the effect on stage with full lighting to appreciate it. A non-reflective black board with thick white chalk writing on it, seems to "light up" from any distance.

I first learned this lesson many years ago from watching a Ronnie Gann show. I was amazed at the brillance of the writing! Remember - this is a "performance" and the difference between just seeing the writing and having it jump out at you is like the difference between a closing chord on a guitar played at sf compared to fff!

Richard

Thanks for the advice Richard! To Hobby Lobby I will go...