For eight years Ron Horoshko has lent his expertise to design and build sets for theatre productions on Kaua‘i. For the first time though, Horoshko utilized a greener approach to set construction when he met general contractor, David Griffith of
For eight years Ron Horoshko has lent his expertise to design and build sets for theatre productions on Kaua‘i. For the first time though, Horoshko utilized a greener approach to set construction when he met general contractor, David Griffith of Red Dog Construction. From a black and white picture and a scale drawing of the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall stage, he pitched his vision to Griffith.
“When I saw the set idea I thought ‘whoa, that is a lot of lumber,” Griffith said.
Castle walls, double stairwells, disappearing doors and a revolving room are a few notable elements of this 11-section set covering the War Memorial stage end to end — roughly 38 feet.
Having grown up in a California family with seven siblings, Griffith is no stranger to reuse, reduce, recycle. Once Horoshoko showed him where old sets were stored he dismantled seven of them to build a castle for Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre and Kaua‘i Community Players production of “Cinderella” opening next week.
“This is the only green set we’ve ever built,” Horoshko said.
While this is Griffith’s first time building for theatre, he said, “building sets is easy — maybe as a kid watching all those cartoons, something sunk in.”
First he spent days cannibalizing old sets for wood.
“I’ve done remodels my whole life,” he said. “When Ron said he wanted a whimsical stage for fantasy I could envision it. This was fun to do.”
The average cost to build a set is $4,000, Horoshko said. He estimates only $2,000 was spent.
“For an elaborate set like this it would have cost over $7,000,” Horoshko said.
Built in the carport beneath Griffith’s rental, the veteran contractor constructed the 11 primary parts in 18 days without plans or drawings.
“The top of the set brushed the bottom of the house,” he said. “Each of the major parts is a cube — they’re like big Legos.”
He said it takes four to five hours to disassemble and reassemble the entire set.
Not only is the set entirely recycled goods, Griffith and Horoshko built the carriage that delivers Cinderella to the ball from scavenged parts provided by Island Liquidators and Princeville Hotel.
“These are metal tables,” Horoshko said, pointing to the wheels on the carriage.
Other ornaments include a toilet paper handle, towel racks and coiled copper pipe. The frame of the carriage is made from PVC Griffith heated and bent into graceful curves.
“People can buy a ticket at intermission to have their picture taken with the carriage,” said President of the Board for HCT, Debra Blachowiak.
While the conscious construction and artful design are big selling points, for Blachowiak the icing on the cake was the timely completion. Ready for use two weeks before opening night, the players will be rehearsing on a completed set.
“We’ve never had a set we were able to rehearse on before,” she said.
As for dismantling the “Cinderella” set for future productions, that won’t happen for awhile.
“Kaua‘i High School wants to use it, Kalaheo School too,” Horoshko said. “There’s even talk of renting it to other islands.”
“Cinderella” runs weekends, Nov. 13 to November 29. Shows are 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 4 p.m. Sundays. The opening night Enchanted Ball benefit is 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 for $50 ,by reservation only. Dinner and drinks will be served with a backstage tour and chance for a walk-on role. Entertainment is by the Starlighters and will include a waltz contest. A $5 show will be 4 p.m. Nov. 15 to benefit Kaua‘i Food Bank and Salvation Army. For this special price bring a non-perishable food item.
Tickets are $10 from cast members, $12 from local outlets, $15 at the door. Ticket outlets include: Kalaheo Coffee Company; Progressive Expressions, Koloa; Larry’s Music, Kapa‘a; Papaya’s Natural Foods, Kapa‘a and Hanalei; Northshore Pharmacy; Cake Nouveau, Kilauea and Borders Books and Music, Lihu‘e.
For reservations call, 246-8985. For more information visit hawaiichildrenstheatre.com.
