All The World's A Stage

Event staging always poses a unique design problem. You have to keep many factors in mind when composing a stage set, like...

FUNCTIONALITY

Our first task is always to find out what content needs to be shown onstage, and what format that content will be in. For example, if you have multiple types of content that need to be shown at one time, we'll know that we need a double-wide screen to show content on either side. 

AESTHETIC

If you have a theme or aesthetic that you want to emphasize, we take that into heavy consideration as well. It's important that we understand what feeling you want to create with your stage design.

SCALE

One of the most important aspects of laying out a stage set is understanding the scale of the space. From a functional standpoint, the staging needs to accommodate the required number of speakers and/or performers at any given point in the program. The stage decor & screens also need to provide adequate impact given the size of the backdrop & of the audience. If the event is held in a large ballroom, for example, then the staging and displays need to be large enough to make an impact even in the back row.

FLEXIBILITY

Sometimes an event program will require flexibility in either the content being shown, or in the stage set itself. We may need to be able to move elements around, or switch out content on the fly. Whether or not this is the case, we always look for opportunities to insert dynamic or theatrical elements into staging to help keep the audience engaged and intrigued. For this UVA event (pictured left), we needed to be able to switch between many types of content and maintain high quality & color intensity throughout, so we chose to use LED walls instead of projection.

EXISTING FEATURES

Sometimes there are elements of a venue that do not suit the aesthetic of the event. In this case, we can use staging to draw attention away from these elements, whether it's a structural piece that we need to disguise or a utilitarian ceiling that we to cover. Frequently used for tented events, we specialize in designing custom fabric solutions to add visual interest and ambience to an event look. This can be a great way to tie larger-scale decor in with the event branding and staging.

Stage design for corporate & social events is an interesting intersection between business & theater, where organizational values & entertainment principles must operate in tandem to produce a positive experience for attendees - and we love finding new & creative ways to achieve this.

Our Creative Process

We know that no two events or projects are the same, so we always approach new projects with an open mind and adjust our methods to fit the circumstances. But although the specifics of our process are different from project to project, the basic steps that we take to help our clients produce outstanding events follow the same general path.

Our creative process is collaborative and, as you can see, we provide many types of support along the way. This process allows us to come up with new ideas efficiently, and to remain on the same page as we bring those ideas to life.

To see specific examples of our creative process in action, head over to our portfolio page and check out our case studies!

5 Ways to Transform a Ballroom

Ballroom venues are a frequent choice for conferences and social events alike. They often have features and accommodations that make hosting large groups of attendees much simpler and more comfortable. But despite the upsides, the standard ballroom aesthetic is not right for every event.

We often have to find ways to make ballrooms feel like a different type of space, or to draw more attention to the event theme than to the existing ballroom decor. So we've compiled a few strategies that you can use to transform a ballroom into your perfect event space!

One way to quickly transform a ballroom space is to conceal the walls and/or ceiling with fabric. This is also a great opportunity to enhance your event theme or aesthetic with custom fabric solutions. (Photo c/o Allegra's Studio)

Hanging decor can be great for adding ambience to a ballroom. Whether you're using chandeliers, drum shades, 3D shapes, or lanterns, well-chosen hanging decor often helps to disguise existing fixtures and add another layer of dimension to the room's aesthetic.

Another effective way to transform a ballroom is to create an impactful focal point for the space. Whether its a stage, a screen, or a combination of the two, creating a strong focal point will draw attention away from the adjacent surroundings and focus attendees' attention on something intentional.

Don't be fooled by its simplicity - lighting can drastically transform the mood of a space. You can use it to paint an entire room with color, or to highlight key elements that you want to draw attention to.

A more unique way to alter a ballroom space is with projection. You can transform any surface using projection, from walls and ceilings to fabric dividers!