FLATS / BACKDROPS

Many of the following ideas have been sourced from past Wakakirri Story-Dance schools. We take this opportunity to thank these schools for their clever, resourceful and money-saving approaches to sets, props and costumes!

The most commonly used set pieces for on-stage performances are flats/backdrops. The general rationale for their use is to help set the scene being played out on stage. Of course, you don’t need to use flats or backdrops at all if you don’t want to! If you decide that the inclusion of flats/backdrops will enhance the performance, you need to design the pieces, source materials and put it all together. This need not be a daunting, time-consuming, expensive task! Following are a few low-cost, environmentally friendly ideas to stimulate your team’s creativity:



Flat with French bracing

Free standing one-sided flats created using a covered frame supported on small legs.


Free standing flats covered in aluminium cans (Mt Victoria PS NSW)

Three sided flats
A popular form of flats, that will need some construction work but can be used over and over again, are three sided triangle structures. To make these start with three light wooden frames with thin ply or cardboard attached. These simple flats can then be hinged on each side to form a three sided object which is then placed on castor wheels to make three different scenes. A simple bolt hinge between each flat will make them easy to take apart for storage and transport.

A few hints: Be careful when building 3D structures like this that they still fit within the Wakakirri sets and props rules – especially the rule that all sets and props must be no deeper than 79cm. Three thin flats of 90cm width and 250cm height can be joined together at their sides to create a three-sided object that still fits within the Waka rules – but make sure you draw it all up on paper before you start building. Perhaps a chance for your students to practice their trigonometry!

Fridge Boxes
Is there anything more versatile than a fridge box? It can be used to create an abundance of set and prop pieces – four-sided ‘flats’, houses, cars, buses, tables – you name it! The cardboard is sturdy and very reusable. They are ideal as they offer four sides therefore four scene changes. They are free, easy to transport, can be folded up for storage and fall into the maximum dimensions of 250cm x 200cm x 79cm. You can put them on removable wheelbases to allow for smooth scene changes and if stored well, they can be reused time and again. If they are not to be reused, at least they can be recycled.



Mobile Wardrobes
Don’t go and buy these – ask your parent community! These are great as they are already on wheels and you can simply attach cardboard to them. At the end of the series they can be pulled apart, wardrobes returned and cardboard either put away for next year, displayed in a classroom or sent off for recycling.


A gaol cell made from a metal frame on wheels with thin polypipe attached as bars. This frame can be used in future years as a flat by attaching cardboard to it. (Taylor Primary School ACT)

Mobile Blackboards
A clever way to reuse these is to fasten old sheets to the top (with the desired scene painted on each sheet) and then simply flip the sheets over (or if they are attached with velcro tear them away) to reveal the next scene. The sheets can be reused for other performances/Wakakirri Story-Dance entries and the blackboards returned to their previous owner. Be sure to check the dimensions of the blackboards!

Reused Milk Bottles and Long-Life Fruit Juice Containers
Two or three litre plastic milk bottles or long-life fruit juice containers are great to reuse as ‘bricks’ under papier mache. A little more time-consuming perhaps, but the process is great for including your students! Simply fasten the containers together (try liquid nails) and reuse collected newspapers/classroom paper waste for your papier mache. The finished product will provide two sides to paint on and at the end of the series can be deconstructed for recycling.


A frame of milk bottles attached to wood was constructed as two parts on wheels that were each rolled onto stage to ‘frame’ the MTV rock star performers in this story-dance. (Gold Creek Senior School ACT)

Multipurpose Cardboard Boxes
This is a VERY clever idea! Collect cardboard boxes (cubes are best) and use them in a variety of ways in the one production:
• Paint one or two sides for scenery;
• Paint other sides for other parts of the set e.g. columns, bench seats, houses, etc…remember, you will have SIX sides to work with!
Students can then move, stack and rotate them through a variety of purposes.

Alternatives to flats and backdrops…
• Act it, don’t build it…how can the performers be the sets and scenery?
• Think of flexible fabrics to use rather than static built items
• How can you use lighting to show the scene?
• A single flat, column or object be as effective as a whole wall of wobbly flats.
• Consider a simple metal or wooden frame with an old blind attached that can be opened to reveal performers behind

Wakakirri National Story Festiwval...