It all began just before my granddaughter’s second birthday. I asked my oldest son what Ella likes to do, and his answer surprised me.
“She likes to watch concert videos on YouTube“.
So I thought for a minute, and said “I’ve got it.”
First, I needed something that would look like a stage. Answer? A bamboo cutting board.
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0.jpeg)
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-1.jpeg)
For the proscenium arch, I used a picture frame.
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-3.jpeg)
An additional frame to stabilize the arch and a base for the whole thing.
Now for the walls.
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-4.jpeg)
Of course, backstage should look like backstage.
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-6.jpeg)
Up go the sides.
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-7.jpeg)
It’s primer time.
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-8.jpeg)
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-9.jpeg)
Curtains, Rocco. It’s curtains.
Raising the roof.
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-10.jpeg)
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-11.jpeg)
Speakers, anyone?
Set designs.
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-12.jpeg)
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-13.jpeg)
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-14.jpeg)
Every actress needs a costume trunk. This one was made by Daryoush Ababaf, a wonderful artist and friend in the Dallas area.
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-23.jpeg)
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fullsizeoutput_10bb.jpeg)
Now we’re getting somewhere…
Gotta have lights.
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-16.jpeg)
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-18.jpeg)
I think she likes it.
One day when she says she got into theater early on, she’ll mean it literally.
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-19.jpeg)
![](http://jodydean.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fullsizeoutput_10bf.jpeg)