T A Y L E R V A R N E Y
P R O P S A R T I S A N
La Cage Aux Folles
*Peacock Wagon
*Burned Chicken
Props Apprentice
Skylight Music Theatre; Fall 2016
Directed by John de los Santos
Musical Director: Shari Rhoades
Scenic Designer: Liliana Duque Piñeiro Costume Designer: Chris March Lighting Designer: Noele Stollmack
Photo Courtesy to Mark Frohna Photography & the Skylight Music Theatre
Peacock Wagon
The second show of the Skylight season was La Cage Aux Folles. There were two wagons that needed built, a clam shell and a peacock. I was given the peacock wagon to work on. This project was my first major carpentry project, and it helped me to become more comfortable with the various power tools in the shop. I also worked with the Scenic Charge Artist to paint the wagon and add glitter to the final piece.
Wagon Model
Platform Tops
Platform Structure
Platform Facing
Back Fan Pattern
Back Fan Attached
Back Faced In Cardboard
Eyes Patterned
Cardboard Eyes
Eyes Glued to Back Fan
Steel Rods Attached to Fan
Eyes Attached to Steel Rods
Platform Base Coat
Platform Blue Base Coat
Platform Phalo Green Glaze
Fan Base Coat
Eyes Painted
Fan Phalo Green Glaze
Fan Glittered
Rods Based and Eyes Attached
Eyes Base Coated
Eyes Painted and Partially Glittered
Eyes and Rods Fully Glittered
Finished Wagon
Peacock Wagon in Performance
Photo Courtesy to Mark Frohna Photography & the Skylight Music Theatre
Burned Chicken
One of the props required for La Cage Aux Folles is a burned chicken. The prop carpenter showed me how to carve a chicken out of foam and cover the pieces in onion skin paper. Then I began to layer the piece in various glazes until the desired look was achieved. I also stippled on some black Jaxsan to add a charred and dry texture to the final piece.
Foam Chicken and Onion Skin
Chicken Base Coated
Shading Began in Umber
More Shading with Umber and Black
Jaxsan to Add Charred Texture
Finished Chicken
