Open Forum

HELP! I am working on a storage solution for my classroom/dressing room.  I would like a freestanding coat closet to hang costumes with a shelf above it to stack boxes of costume accessories.  It can't be too wide (only have about 56" to work with) or too deep.  I have found stuff online but it is hard to know what is sturdy and will hold up over time. Previously racks have broken or don't have the top storage feature. I don't want a Z rack ( - although those are great!) because I really need a  top shelf  and a place to store the accessories.   

Anyone have pictures or companies or websites to share of open closet systems that have stood the test of time and teenager wear and tear. - Thanks!

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Marla Blasko
Director/Teacher Theatre Arts
Long Reach High School
Columbia, Maryland
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Marla,

If you have very specific requirements, you might consider hiring a carpenter to build it.  I did that in the backstage area of one of the schools where I taught, and it worked out really well. 

I see that you are not but 17 to 18 miles from the Olney Theatre Center.  You might check to see if their Technical Director thinks their stage carpenters and apprentices have space in their production schedule to take on the job.  When my son worked there, they did a few jobs for other theatres.  Using carpenters from a professional theatre, you can be assured that the cabinet will be sturdy. 

CJ

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CJ Breland
Retired Theatre Arts Educator
NC
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CJ's idea to see if you can work with a professional theater company would be great and a great experience for your students to see the work of a professional carpenter and or to work with them if possible.

We build these when we have leftover materials.  It is just a cabinet base box without doors.  I use a piece of galvanized pipe and a block of wood with a half moon shape cut out of it to support the hanging rod.  It's not the greatest picture as it looks like strike was in process, but perhaps it will give you some ideas.


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Michael Johnson
Trinity High School
NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-21-2022 12:49
From: CJ Breland
Subject: closet racks?

Marla,

If you have very specific requirements, you might consider hiring a carpenter to build it.  I did that in the backstage area of one of the schools where I taught, and it worked out really well. 

I see that you are not but 17 to 18 miles from the Olney Theatre Center.  You might check to see if their Technical Director thinks their stage carpenters and apprentices have space in their production schedule to take on the job.  When my son worked there, they did a few jobs for other theatres.  Using carpenters from a professional theatre, you can be assured that the cabinet will be sturdy. 

CJ

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CJ Breland
Retired Theatre Arts Educator
NC
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Hi Marla,
Steve Cosby, Renagade  Production, is a guy I worked with a few years ago. This is his company and he builds sets for theatres in his own space. He was in the the Columbia area.
(240) 478-4978. Also I agree with CJ check with Olney Theatre, I was the Production Manager for several years, and the carpenters take on free lance jobs. 

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Cheryl J. Williams
Professor of Theatre
CJWilliamsConsultant.com
cheryljwilliams1@gmail.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-21-2022 12:49
From: CJ Breland
Subject: closet racks?

Marla,

If you have very specific requirements, you might consider hiring a carpenter to build it.  I did that in the backstage area of one of the schools where I taught, and it worked out really well. 

I see that you are not but 17 to 18 miles from the Olney Theatre Center.  You might check to see if their Technical Director thinks their stage carpenters and apprentices have space in their production schedule to take on the job.  When my son worked there, they did a few jobs for other theatres.  Using carpenters from a professional theatre, you can be assured that the cabinet will be sturdy. 

CJ

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CJ Breland
Retired Theatre Arts Educator
NC
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