As you can see below, the stage we used for the Shakespeareans of Tamenend Park was destroyed and ultimate disassembled as a result of vandalism. I said "no more" and discontinued the efforts.
Adding to that was the insertion of a new Park Director, who was not amiable to what we were doing.
Truthfully, the stage which we built in the park was intended as a temporary stage, being that it was not constructed of actual stone, but rather originally used for on-stage sets. I knew it would only last for so long and it was reaching the end of it's usefulness in that regard. It was a test to see if a stage in that location of the park was viable. We were considering reconstructing the stage from stone and concrete, materials that could withstand the weather. But the reality was that, although, we had programs under way and the community enjoyed coming there to practice their stage skills (acting and singing) and it was a wonderful stage, there too, were elements that were not as desirable (vandals and drug use).
So it was decided to disassemble the stage and discontinue activities.
But... it has always been the intention to rebuild the stage. Only this time it will be built as a portable stage, which can be taken down and stored away when not in use. The method to achieving that is to emulate the core of this stage as a Parade Float. This core will be added to with extensions when the stage is being used in a Park or Festival setting.
Below is a photo of the 1963 Corvair Greenbrier that will provide the powered chassis for the parade float, which will make up the core of the larger stage. First things first however, and the body of this truck needs to be removed and the "chassis & power-train" needs to be rebuilt before a stage can be constructed.
Supplies and preparations for this work are being gathered, while the work area is also being prepared. The Parade Float aspect of this project must take priority, since that will be used for
"The Gnomes of New Hope: Zach & Zebby's Grand Adventure",
but since part of using the Parade Float includes the possibility of presentation in a Festival Environment, then the extended Stage will come into play as needed for The Gnomes project. It may be that the Puppet presentation of the Gnomes may be part of the Festival Presentation, so the staging will accommodate that as well.
Certainly, if there Producers who think they may like to employ the Parade Float and Stage system for other projects, I am open to discussing that future potential.
