Closed-Cell Spray Foam Applied To Theater Prop For Oregon Play

ASHLAND, OR - June 6, 2013 - Spray polyurethane foam application is generally associated with projects involving roofing or insulation, yet sometimes a contracting company can be challenged with tasks that demonstrate the versatility of SPF, like creating stage props. Oregon-based Pacific Spray Foam (PSF) took on the challenge to assist in the production of a giant tree stump prop for the production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer's Night Dream, which took place at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

"They wanted the stump to look realistic," said Mark Mansfield, vice president of Pacific Spray Foam.

After the clients behind the Shakespearian play decided to apply spray foam to their props, the PSF crew received two halves of the tree stump, which had been constructed of plywood, and quickly went to work on them.

"When we got the models, they didn't look anything like tree stumps, so our idea was to use the spray foam to provide the desired effect of realism," said Mansfield. "We wanted the whole model to look like an old weathered stump, which meant applying foam on certain areas that would make it look like it contoured down into the ground."

The application took place at the PSF workshop facility in Central Point, Oregon, which is approximately 15 miles south of the location of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. During the project, the crew made sure the doors of the facility were opened so that air circluated; they had ventilation fans going and wore fresh air respirators. Mansfield noted that the shop has flat, concrete floors, which made overspray easy to clean up.

The crew installed between half an inch to five inches of MD-C-200, a 2 lb. closed-cell SPF insulation made by Icynene, to the exterior of the plywood substrate on both stumps halves, which were put together after the foam was applied individually. The total spray area was roughly 280 square feet.

SPF was then applied to the top of the stump so the audience would be able to look down at the top of the stump without noticing any difference in the effect of the model's exterior, explained Mansfield.

"It had a more realistic look to it when we finished," said Mansfield.

It took the two-man PSF crew about two and a half hours to complete the job. The team had one rig on site, which was equipped with Graco equipment. Mansfield said his clients were very pleased with the end product.

"It turned out better than they expected," Mansfield said. "They told us that they'd like to work with us again with different props for a different play in the future."

Mansfield also added that their SPF application saved the clients a lot time in design work, materials, and man-hours because of what they were able to accomplish in just a few hours. Upon completion of the project, the PSF crew turned the stump over to the A Midsummer's Night Dream stage crew for minor touch ups, which included the application of Jaxsan 600 series roof coating and painting the stump a bark-like color to finish it up.

For the PSF crew, it was both fun and informative to be part of this unorthodox project.

"This project was a learning experience," said Mansfield. "It gave us a sense and ability of directing and creating while solving problems in an unusual situation. If something like this comes up at a job site with a homeowner or a commercial application, this experience serves as another step in accommodating a client's needs when it comes to trying to a accomplish something a little different than the standard."

Mansfield affirmed that Shakespeare would have approved the use of spray foam on his set because it came from a creative approach.

About Pacific Spray Foam: Pacific Spray Foam Insulation, Inc., located in Central Point, OR, is a subdivision of Pacific Wall Systems. Pacific Spray Foam is a licensed dealer and installer of Icynene spray foam insulation. For more information, please use the contact details provided below.