Order VS Chaos Katanas

A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Montana Shakespeare in the Parks | Summer 2021

Order

Chaos

Snake Hilt Forged by Reid Loessberg

Wednesday’s Crossbow

The Addams Family | Davidson College | April 2022

More info coming soon!

Painted by Chloe Calzolano

Grenade & Explosion

The Addams Family | Davidson College | April 2022

More info coming soon!

Confetti Air Cannon

Bottom’s Pyramus Armor

A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Montana Shakespeare in the Parks | Summer 2021

*Tunic and Belt Designed by Claudia Boddy

Cloten’s Cane Sword

Cymbeline | Montana Shakespeare in the Parks | Summer 2021

Faux Narwhal Tusk and Antler Skull Cane Sword

The Design:

For this production of Cymbeline we decided to give Cloten a cane sword with a skull grip/pommel. This was his secret weapon, his attempt to be powerful and have control. (Spoiler!) It leads to and causes his own demise.

The shaft of the cane, carved out of oak, emulates a narwhal tusk. However, unlike real narwhal tusk canes it is not whitened. Rather I decided to keep the natural look of a living narwhals tusk to fit in the color palette of our world and serve as a reminder that although beautiful, a living creature was killed.

The skull and shark vertebrae design of the handle, carved from an antler, also pulled from real historical cane motifs. Shark vertebra were often “strung” together and turned into a cane. The skull was meant to be Cloten’s little hint that he had the power of death, hidden with him at all times.

The Locking Mechanism:

By far the hardest part of this build was the locking mechanism used to hold the blade and handle into the shaft. I made three versions before I settled on stacks of earth magnets. My other mechanisms, a locking lever and a ball latch, were not refined enough and/or simple enough of a maneuver for the actor to perform quickly and reliably.

The housing for the mechanisms were house in custom cut brass fittings that nestled together. The brass was sourced from a local metal recycling facility and then Dremel carved and machined.

Moonie’s Tommy Gun

Anything Goes | Roosevelt University Theatre Conservatory | April 2019

Process:

Adding height to the 4/4 violin case to fit the tommy gun inside:

Making the insert to securely hold the tommy gun.

Adding magnets to the stock for easy quick connection to the main body of the gun:

This replica is made to screw together, but I had to modify the prop for quick scene changes.

Moonie in action:

Aluminum Cavalry Swords

Henry IV Part 1 | Montana Shakespeare in the Parks | Summer 2019

Step One: Cutting Out the Blade

Step Two: Threading the Aluminum Rod

Step Three: Brazing the Rod to the Blade

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Step Four: Forming the Guard/Knuckle-bow

Step Five: Assembly

Step Six: Into Battle!

Sword in background is the original, sword worn in front is made by me.

47th Season of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, Henry IV, Part 1

(Photo by Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez)

Bible Safe

Merry Wives of Windsor | Montana Shakespeare in the Parks | Summer 2019

Sir Hugh Evans Bible that doubles as a book safe for his pistol.

Rapier Repair and Re-Gripping

Freelance for The Mis-Adventurers | Summer 2018

 

The original parts of this rapier were glued together to hold them in place, but after use everything was wobbling.

Repaired Quillon Block to hold blade in place without any wobbling.

New Grip to prevent spinning with leather and wire wrap.

Back to the Mis-Adventurer to continue fighting!

Materials: 16 gauge Steel Plate; Solder; Wooden Grip; Stain; Scrap Leather; Silver Coated Wire; Epoxy

Othello Calvary Sabre Ornamentation

Othello | Montana Shakespeare in the Parks | Summer 2018

 

 

Materials: Liquid Gold Leaf, Acrylic Paint, Misc Jewelry Pieces, Lacquer, Epoxy

Montano’s Scabbard

Othello | Montana Shakespeare in the Parks | Summer 2018

Materials: Leather, Leather Dye, Waxed Thread, Rivets, Metal Sheets, Epoxy, Leather Adhesive, Acrylic Paint, Clear Lacquer

Hercules Club

Nine Worthies – Love’s Labour’s Lost | Montana Shakespeare in the Parks | Summer 2018

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks Love's Labour's Lost

Hercules

Materials: Tee-ball Bat, Softball, Epoxy

Bleeding Bone Knife

Dracula | Cravat Productions | December 2017

 

Bone Knife GRip

Bleeding Bone Knife Grip

Renfield cut Dr. Seward’s arm with this jaw bone knife. As he did this, blood poured out of the hole and ran down the blade, which Renfield then licked off.

Materials: Cow Jaw Bone, Mod-Podge, Clear Tubing, Plastic Bag, Hot Glue

Winkie Soldier Staffs

The Wizard of Oz | SUNY Oswego | Fall 2016

IMG_0959

Wicked Witch’s Winkie Soldier’s Staffs – 10 Total

Materials: Wooden Dowel, Scrap Wood, Washers, Wire, Spray Paint, Oil Paint

 

The Broom of the Wicked Witch of the West

The Wizard of Oz | SUNY Oswego | Fall 2016

IMG_0890

The Wicked Witch’s Broom in her Castle.

Materials: Mop, Muslin, EVA Foam, Straw, Wire, Misc. Spare Parts, Gaff Tape, Battery Operated Lights, Spray Paint, Acrylic Paint

Space Pirate Dagger

The Space Pirates of Planet Penzance | SUNY Oswego | Spring 2016

IMG_0389

The Dagger of one Space Pirate from Planet Penzance.

Materials: Scrap Wood, Leather, EVA Foam, Acrylic Paint