Building the prison

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It always amazes me that simplicity in a set can really impress audiences. A clock, a few security cameras, a two-way mirror, and a watercooler- and a cinder block wall - and the audience sees a prison. More accurately, an interrogation room within a prison, but you see my point.

The set is Building The Wall, a future-set play that follows the logical and scary timeline of our current anti-immigration agenda by that moron of a President, Donald Trump. More about the play at Trustus Theatre here: http://trustus.org/event/building-the-wall/

How? That cinder block wall is insulation foam - sheets of it, approximately 3/4" thick by 4'x8' - not gonna keep anyone in that really wants to get out... However, we've got a good record of no escape attempts in this prison...

The technique is to add texture to the smooth foam surface by using a paddle with exposed staples - beating the hell out of the surface, leaving numerous holes to give that cinder block texture. Then, using a hot soldering iron tip, outlining the brick pattern by melting deep trenches that mimic the mortar line. A paint treatment of water and latex paint - spray water first, to allow the paint to penetrate the holes created by the paddling. Then, a second coat to insure the awful green color doesn't bleed through. Tip: use the blank side of the foam, not the printed side.