Baroque Elevator Workshop
Aims
Through studying and building the model elevator, students will learn:
- The basics of the lifting machine and the trap door.
- The use of pulleys.
- The proportions of the baroque elevator, its placement on the stage and its use on stage.
- Working with wood to make simple models.
- Drawing and interpreting plans to construct a working item of stage machinery.
Key Information
| Number of learners | Minimum 2, maximum 12, working in pairs. |
| Number of staff | A teacher and/or technician who knows how to use the tools in the workshop and knows how the baroque elevator works. |
| ECTS Credits (if applicable) | Not applicable. |
Learning process
| Lecture/seminar | Lecture, presentation, discussion (face-to-face or online) | |
| X | Making project | Making a model, mock-up, plan or design (physical or digital) |
| Performance project | Making a performance or demonstration (live or mediated) | |
| X | Records and Archives | Interviews, photographs and videos of artefacts, annotating archives, creating learning materials (physical or digital) |
| X | Independent study | Reading, researching, analysing and evaluating learning materials (physical or digital) in groups or alone |
Type of learner
| X | Student of technical theatre |
| X | Student of theatre design, architecture |
| X | Student of theatre arts |
| X | Professional |
| X | Researcher |
| General public |
What You Will Need
Duration and schedule
Preparation by the teacher:
1-8 hours to gather materials, tools and teaching materials. The time required will depend on whether you have to make a working demonstration model beforehand, or you already have a finished model.
Preparation by the students:
The time required will depend on whether students already have the required practical woodworking skills, or if they will need the teacher's help to cut and assemble the pieces. Depending on the students' previous knowledge, it could be structured as follows:
- For beginners, around 7.5 hours, structured in 3 classes of 2.5 hours each.
- For advanced students, a single 4-hour workshop.
Room or type of space
Workshop with tools for working with wood to make the model.
Classroom with drawing board and computer (optional)to make the plans.
Equipment
Tools:
- Circular table saw
- Dremel type mini drill
- Wood mitre saw
- Hammers
- Screwdrivers
- Square
- Sliding bevel
- Tape measure
- Scale ruler
- Pencil
- Eraser
Computer with CAD drawing software (optional).
Materials (consumables)
- Plywood
- Pulleys
- Rope/cord
- Assorted screws
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper
- Sketch paper
Learning resources (books, websites)
Canonbase articles:
- The elevating stage
- Corral de comedias
- El escenario de la ilusión: sonido, luz e ingeniería en el teatro barroco (exhibition catalogue)
- El Corral de Comedias (exhibition catalogue)
Other resources:
MELLO, Bruno. Tratatto di scenotecnica. G. Agostini Novara 1972
LÓPEZ DE GUEREÑU, Francisco Javier. Decorado y Tramoya. Ed Ñaque. C. Real 1998
COPELLI, Dino. Manuale Pratico di scenotecnica. Le macchine teatrali. Patron editore, Bolonia 2006.
Process
Preparation
Have the learning materials (various documentary sources) and a model mock-up ready.
Gather the construction materials, and ensure the workshop has all the tools required.
The learning activity
Introduce the students to the project, and the historical context of the baroque stage elevator.
The students then study the learning materials and compare with the model provided by the teacher. They analyse the model and take measurements to build it to a different scale.
The students then make hand-drawn sketches of the different elements, and a plan for assembly to achieve the final product. They make all the necessary adjustments to achieve a working machine.
After building the model, students should draw plans of the final result to scale, to capture the ‘as built’ design.
Assessment and feedback
If the students manage to assemble a model that works as an elevator, they will have achieved the objective. After the first result, you can discuss whether it can be improved by varying the proportions, layout and size of the elements it is made from. These revisions should be shown in the final plans.
Our Experience
Tips
It is important for the student to analyse and understand the elevator mechanism before cutting and assembling the model material.
Additional information and resources
Model and plans made by the students S. Padilla and A. Pérez. (RESAD, Madrid 2020):
- IO4 28 Baroque Elevator Workshop 06.jpg
- IO4 28 Baroque Elevator Workshop 07.jpg
Example drawings of the elevator: File:IO4 28 Baroque Elevator Workshop 08.pdf
Video showing the model elevator working: File:IO4 28 Baroque Elevator Workshop 10.mp4
Video of the model elevator, with discussion (in Spanish): File:IO4 28 Baroque Elevator Workshop 09.mp4
Credits
| This learning method was made by: | Mercedes de Blas, Felisa de Blas, Almudena López Villalba. |
| Institution: | Real escuela superior de arte dramático de Madrid (RESAD) |
| Thanks to: | 2020 RESAD students S. Padilla and A. Pérez. |