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High Cube in Relation to Theater: Creating Jaw-Dropping Stages

Theater, as an art form, has always relied on creating a visual spectacle that leaves audiences in awe. From well-lit stages to innovative set designs, every element must come together seamlessly to transport viewers into the world of the play or musical.

Enter high cube. The term “high cube” refers to a shipping container that is either 9’6” or 10’ tall instead of the standard 8’. In recent years, theater companies have begun using high cube containers in inventive ways to stage their productions.

Using High Cube Containers for Theatre Design

One of the most notable examples of high cube use in theatre design was New York’s production of Sleep No More by Punchdrunk. This immersive, interactive theatrical experience invites the audience to explore a multi-level, 100,000-square-foot warehouse transformed into the fictitious McKittrick Hotel. In this mysterious Grande Guignol-inspired story, high cube containers were used as strange objects punctuating various scenes.

Another prominent example is Regina Rex’s 2013 exhibition “Contributing Factors” at Open Source Gallery in Brooklyn, New York. Part of the exhibit, titled Full Stop, involved constructing a 40-foot hewn wooden disc out of two-by-fours and attaching it to a massive high cube frame. The frame sat at an angle, creating a striking illusion of movement as if the disc were sliding into the ground.

High Cube Containers for Theatre Set Pieces

The beauty of high cube containers is their versatility. These massive, durable structures can be used as single elements or assembled into intricate sets. They also boast inherent lighting opportunities. Most containers are built with corrugated walls designed to bounce light beautifully and even reflect different colors when exposed to varying intensities.

Whether employing containers as simple backdrops or stacked skyward to build towering cityscapes, high cube boxes allow designers to easily construct the precise environments they envision for their productions.

High Cube Design and Sustainability in Theatre

Another element high cube brings to theatre is a new sense of sustainability. With their robust nature, these containers are much more eco-friendly than traditional theatre materials like lumber or plaster. The reuse of shipping containers not only keeps waste out of landfills but also allows designers to create festive atmospheres that are both breathtaking and responsible.

In Conclusion

As more theaters around the world become aware of high cube’s potential, it’s no surprise that this trend continues to gain momentum on stage. Ranging from simple modifications to imaginative transformations, high cube container use gives production teams even greater flexibility when it comes to crafting visually stunning sets filled with truly jaw-dropping moments.