The stage centerpiece will be one large center (20 ft) mast to reach the ceiling with the High Seas Expedition logo on the mainsail. I will use forced perspective to make the mast seem taller: make the mast fat at the bottom and skinny at the top, and a trapeziod sail smaller at the top. The mast will be made from pipe embedded in a large tire partially filled with concrete. The lower section of the mast will be covered with a cardboard carpet tube so it appears thick. The upper section will be a piece of lightweight aluminum tubing painted brown. I will use PVC pipes for the cross booms with rope guy-lines secured to the mast to hold up the ends. Maybe even a crow's nest with a High Seas Expedition character in it. The bottom of the sail will be about 6 feet off the floor so that (most) people can walk under them without ducking.
Joann's carries several widths of muslin, unbleached and white - since our walls are off-white, we will use the bleached white muslin so that it stands out better. The least expensive is 48 inch wide for $1.99 ($1.50/square yard) and 119 inch wide for $6.99 ($2.11/square yard). A 40% of coupon gets the 119 inch muslin down to about $1.27 per square yard. WalMart also carries muslin, 38 inch for $1.67, 108 inch for $5.00, and 119 inch for $6.54. Pennant flags will be made from brightly colored posterboard so that they stand out from the mast
Posted 2/1/10