Stage Designs

Throwback: Dot Panels

Ben Salzmann from Topeka Bible Church in Topeka, Kansas brings us these panels of glowing dots. (Originally posted October 2013)

This design is an adaptation of the set “Dots and Spots” from Evergreen Christian Community.

The overall budget for this set was around $500, and it was created using 4×8′ sheets of black Coroplast and 3″ diameter styrofoam half-balls.

Ben really liked the concept of using light to amplify a set, and using the white balls was perfect for that. Being lit from the top and bottom, you can blend two different colors and it gives off a really cool effect, with one color on the tops of the balls and one color on the bottoms. It also creates really cool shadows.

The process of creating the pieces was very simple. They would mark a 4×8′ sheet of Coroplast every six inches, then use a chalkline to create a grid. Then they used liquid nails to fasten each half-ball at the intersections of the grid lines. From there they would just “eyeball” the lines from all directions to make sure they were straight.

The set pieces were lit with 4 Elation Opti Tri Pars from above, and 4 ADJ Mega Tri Bars from below.

scenic design 1

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Throwback: Tilted Rectangles Towers

9 responses to “Throwback: Dot Panels”

  1. Mike Foudy says:

    Where did you obtain your coroplast and 3″ diameter styrofoam half-balls? Looks great. I like how you spaced the panels out. Good job!

  2. Ben Salzmann says:

    Hey Mike,

    We have a local dealer here who we get our Coroplast from. The styrofoam was all purchased online through http://www.smoothfoam.com. I highly recommend them, they have great prices and the product arrived very quickly and was exactly what I expected.

    Thank you for your kind words! Happy designing.

  3. dino munoz says:

    Did you paint the coroplast black? How did you get the chalk lines off afterwards? How did you hang them up?
    Thanks in advance for you help.

  4. Mark says:

    This is probably the single most genius idea I have ever seen. My mind in blown. Awesome transformation.

  5. Dee says:

    How thick was the coroplast you used?

  6. Dustin says:

    Hey Ben,

    Absolutely love this. Looking to possibly incorporate this into our youth ministry stage. I would also like to know if you purchased the coroplast black, or if you painted it (sprayed, brushed…etc.)?

    Thanks for the great design!

  7. Josh Ridder says:

    Hi guys,

    We’ve made the same but instead of the half-balls we did it with plastic white coffee cups. Doesn’t cost a thing but from distance (>10 meter from the boards to the first row) not even possible to see. And because of the size of the cups, very good to catch the light shining from LED pars.

  8. Adebayo says:

    i want a stage design for my church in pretoria, kindly contact me on this number 0624661667 or send me an email how to contact you to dsn_adebayo88@yahoo.com
    looking forward for your quick reply.
    best regards

  9. Robert Walker says:

    Super clean and minimalistic! Love it

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