Big and Bold
One of the challenges that we face with a large stage is filling the space. To give some perspective, our stage opening on one of our campuses is close to 50′ wide and almost 19′ tall. THIS IS BIG, especially when you are trying to fill it with some kind of themed design, which we still like to do from time to time. On of the ways we’ve found that we can accomplish this in a fairly cost and time effective way is through the use of backdrops. We are fortunate to have a company locally who has the capability to print very large format backdrops, banners, signs, etc on a variety of materials. We have done regular vinyl, but more recently have paid a little more for light weight fabric, which is much easier to hang.
The way we do this is we have the backdrops come with a pocket sewn on the top and bottom. Then, we cut slits in the fabric at various points, and as we are putting a metal pole (light weight aluminum shock corded poles also built by our printer) into the pocket, at each slit we have a looped cable and have the pole run though the loop. We then use the cables to attach above our stage. We then can put another pole along the bottom of the back drop and even screw it into the floor if necessary in order to put tension on the backdrop and make it look crisp.
We recently did this with a series we did on Ephesians at Central Christian Church. You can see (and purchase) it here – http://www.setseller.com/arizona/azstagesets/azthemedsets/ephesians-retro-sign-open-road-backdrop/
We can then use other small props and lighting as needed. That is one way we do things. Let us know some of the ways you do staging. Send them to me and we can share them, it if you are not using it anymore, list it for sale (or just to give away).