One of the most impressive (as well as most difficult) special effects to be done onstage is flight. Broadway equips themselves with highly skilled engineering teams to create impressive technical illusions that leave audiences wondering: “How did they do that?”

Without Broadway’s secrets of hidden wires and harnesses, how can theatres of all sizes deliver the same magical and effortless effect of flight?

Hiring a standard rigging system, and getting insurance for the safety of your actors can cost thousands of dollars. Due to a lack of funds or another dependable solution, schools can become discouraged from producing certain titles that include flying. That’s why we're is here to lend a helping hand and offer worry-free solutions through Scenic Projections.&nbsp;

<i>Here are a few of our favorite animated flight sequences and suggested staging that you can use for your productions:</i>

Disney’s Aladdin JR: Scene 8 - Magic Carpet Ride

(ALADDIN helps JASMINE onto the magic carpet, which flies into the night sky)

In this scene, Aladdin and Jasmine begin on the Palace Balcony and with the press of a cue, fly over Agrabah, travel amongst the clouds, and then through the city back to the Palace. You can have the magic carpet set center stage on the floor with your actors seated on top. The scenery behind them moves backward, and the audience experiences the illusion that the actors are flying forward and upward.

*You could also use one of your three wishes to construct a small raked platform, with the top angled upwards, away from the apron. Then, cover the base with black fabric, and have your actors sit on the magic carpet laid over the top of the platform. This gives your actors extra height off of the ground so they appear as if they are flying in the middle of the traveling scenery behind them. 

Experience a whole new world with our scenic projection package for <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/disneys-aladdin/aladdin-jr/scenic-projections">Disney's&nbsp;Aladdin Jr</a>.&nbsp;plus<a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/disneys-aladdin/aladdin-kids">&nbsp;Disney's Aladdin Kids.</a>

Disney’s Mary Poppins: Act 1 Scene 1 - Mary Poppins’ Arrival

(MARY POPPINS soars over the London rooftops and through the sunrise)

Press cue and Mary Poppins is flying across your stage with her parrot-handled umbrella in hand. As the scene in the Parlor ends, the actors can clear the stage and begin preparing for the following scene, while the projection of Mary begins to play. The audience watches Mary’s silhouette fly in and your actress playing Mary can await her cue backstage. Eliminating the need for a blackout or difficulty getting Mary out of a harness, she’s ready to walk onstage at the proper cue line.

*Our<a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/mary-poppins/mary-poppins/scenic-projections"> Mary Poppins Scenic Projections</a> are practically perfect in every way, that they’ve even been used in a Disneyland production of Mary Poppins! If you're interested in a school or youth production, check out our<a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/mary-poppins/mary-poppins-jr"> scenic projection package for Mary Poppins Jr!</a>

Peter Pan (1954 Broadway Version): Act 1 Scene 2 - Flight to Neverland

(PETER flies out the nursery window followed by the children. The nursery disappears and the night sky is exposed.)

With faith, trust and a little projection magic, Peter and the children escape out of the Nursery window, past Big Ben, and onto the second star to the right. Tinkerbell bursts through the Nursery window, opening it for the children and Peter to fly out of. As the scenery begins to move forward and the window becomes larger, this gives the illusion that the actors are flying out of it. Your actors can turn upstage and “fly” through the window until the window has disappeared. Then your actors can face the audience and through movement, physically express that they are in the air. The scenery behind them moves backward and downward and the audience follows their graceful journey from location to location.

Fly off to Neverland with our scenic projection packages for <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/peter-pan/peter-pan-1954/scenic-projections">Peter Pan 1954</a> and <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/peter-pan/peter-pan-jr">Peter Pan 1954 Jr.</a>

Still interested in Broadway’s flight sequences?

-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/the-hidden-tech-behind-broadways-aladdin/">The Hidden Tech behind Broadway's 'Aladdin'</a> by Sally Neiman for CNET

-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1979/09/21/archives/special-effects-keep-peter-pan-flying-playing-a-programmed-console.html">Special Effects Keep 'Peter Pan' Flying</a> by Barbara Crossette for The New York Times

-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ever-wonder-how-that-magic-carpet-in-disneys-aladdin_b_58ed407fe4b0ea028d568db7">Ever wonder how that Magic Carpet in Disney's "Aladdin" flies?</a> By Jim Hill for HuffPost

You Can Fly - with our Scenic Projections!

Whether you're looking to add special effects to your production or simply want to take the hassle out of scenic backgrounds, Broadway Media has you covered with dazzling, affordable scenic projections. <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/scenic-projections">Browse our extensive library or search by show to match your upcoming season.</a>&nbsp;

Our team is looking forward to helping your next production soar - both literally and figuratively - so give us a call or fill out an order form on our <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/contact">contact page.&nbsp;</a>

Suspension of disbelief + projection magic = flight. Our Scenic Projections are an incredible resource for flight that saves you the expense of a wire-flying system – so you can take flight anywhere! 

Broadway Media's Scenic Projections are an incredible resource for flight that saves you the expense of a wire-flying system – so you can take flight anywhere! 

Making Your Production Soar (On a Budget) | Broadway Media 

Making Your Production Soar (On a Budget). 

On any given day, you may sit down to stream a TV show or read a book, but find yourself easily distracted by the neighbor’s lawn mower or your adorable pet. Let’s face it, even on vacation you rely heavily on your phone. The intent may be to open a reservation number or hire a ride share, but the call of unanswered text messages or unread notifications proves too strong. Before you know it, your dedicated relaxation time is interrupted by a peer with a question, a friend with gossip, or a local news update.&nbsp;

Things are different with live theatre. Whether it’s professional or amateur, in a blackbox or a <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/solutions/school-theatre">High School</a> auditorium; once you take your place in an audience, your phone is switched to Do Not Disturb and you’re ready to enjoy a show. The overture sets the tone, the curtain rises, and before long you’re swept away to a time and place other than your own.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As a performer and community theatre director, I’m privy to the sequence of events leading to opening night and the necessary steps it takes to effectively transport an audience. 

Each step serves a purpose, from securing performance rights, to production meetings, budget negotiations, auditions, rehearsals, marketing, and of course...Tech Week! The majority of your audience will never know about the in-depth process behind the scenes, and frankly, they shouldn’t. All that matters is each patron is engaged in the story you’re telling, temporarily transported, and finds value in the ticket they purchased.

So how does a theatre effectively engage their audience and ensure their return for future productions?

 First, it’s important to understand the talent in your area and demographic of your community. A region heavily populated by young families may not be the best area to launch an edgy blackbox program, and likewise, a college town is probably not ideal for kid-heavy productions.&nbsp;

As President of my local community theatre, I send an annual survey to our patrons, performers, and volunteers in an effort to understand our talent pool, and what our community is expecting from their local theatre.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Once the survey is complete, the results are shared with our play selection committee to effectively select shows that meet the needs of our community. They review a number of parameters for the season, including, but not limited to:

- What venue will we be performing in?&nbsp;&nbsp;

- Are there safety protocols that need to be accounted for? (for example, for our 2021 return, we were careful to select shows with small casts and limited romance)

Once the rights for a production are obtained and subsequently announced to the public, it’s imperative to understand the vision and outline the story you plan to tell from the beginning.&nbsp; Your production team, including a representative from marketing, should come together early in the process to calibrate and understand how the show will be portrayed. 

If another theatre recently produced the same show, determine how your production will be different. Perhaps use an orchestra instead of tracks? Are there resources like digital scenery to make your stage come alive?&nbsp;

<a href="http://broadwaymedia.com/scenic-projections">Broadway Media’s Scenic Projections</a>&nbsp;include every scene and setting mentioned in the script; whether it’s a day to night transition, a magical embellishment, or a change in the weather. Previously, creative sound effects were needed to illustrate these moments onstage, but with the addition of Scenic Projections and creative lighting, the audience can now see and experience the author’s intent. Whatever you choose to do, use your marketing platforms to build the excitement and start laying the groundwork for immersing the audience.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you’re adding an audition notice on your theatre’s social media accounts and/or website, your performers are not the only ones who will see the post. Audition postings will likely be how your patrons first learn about your upcoming shows, thus beginning the immersive journey. Though you don’t want to give too much away before opening night, offering a glimpse into the rehearsal process via marketing channels can build excitement. 

Tactics like Instagram takeovers or TikTok videos, help audiences identify with a performer or a particular craft, and become invested in seeing the finished product. I’ve also seen theatres partner with local restaurants to offer a dining experience themed to the production (for example: A Greek restaurant paired with a production of <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/mamma-mia/mamma-mia/scenic-projections">MAMMA MIA</a>!).&nbsp;&nbsp;

Once a patron arrives for your production, ensure they feel welcomed and comfortable. Warm greetings from those working the house, comfortable seats, adequate legroom, and temperature control should be considered. Consider eliminating potential outside distractions by covering windows with blackout curtains to ensure outside light doesn’t interfere with show lighting choices. These details can help patrons focus more on the production itself.

With the audience comfortable, it’s time to focus on setting the tone. From your programs to music playing in the house, find ways to match the style and tone of the era to be reflected onstage. During a recent Shakespearean production I attended, instrumental music from the Elizabethan era played throughout the house and programs were printed in an Olde English font. Furthermore, carefully placed props onstage and a customized curtain warmer help create a sense of anticipation for what’s to come. The overture plays and the curtain begins to rise, and the audience is in the right mindset; ready to experience the world your  team has created.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The challenges of the pandemic may continue to ebb and flow, but theatre remains a much needed escape for both patrons and theatre-makers. For an hour or two, you can press the pause button on your own realities and focus on a world other than your own. So as a theatre-maker, take the time to prepare for your audiences; make them feel safe, appreciated, and transported. Remind them why the arts are needed and the positive impact they can have on a community.	

In today’s digital age, it’s difficult to disconnect from reality. Thankfully, there remains a sacred place to transport you from the real world, and that’s the theatre.


Understand the necessary steps it takes to effectively transport your audience with live theatre with Broadway Media's theatrical resources.

Effectively Transporting Your Audience With Live Theatre | Broadway Media

Effectively Transporting Your Audience With Live Theatre

The Sound of Music: Youth Edition - The Breckenridge Backstage Theatre

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Immerse in the timeless heartwarming tale of The Sound of Music, brought to life by beloved Scenic Projections from Broadway Media. The stage becomes picturesque pre-World War II Austria, enhancing the story of Maria and the von Trapp children. Rolling hills, mountains—projections make the setting magical. Celebrate the human spirit with added visual splendor, as Scenic Projections enrich this uplifting musical. With iconic songs, The Sound of Music celebrates love, courage, and music's power—an unforgettable theatrical experience for all ages. Experience this classic anew, as Scenic Projections transport you to enchantment and joy.

Immerse in The Sound of Music Youth Edition through our captivating Scenic Projections. Transport to the Austrian Alps, von Trapp villa, and many heartwarming moments. Elevate your storytelling with dynamic visuals, seamless transitions, and vital effects. Customize via StagePlayer app, upgrade for creative mapping. Let experts craft an unforgettable stage presence for your production. Embrace music and joy with The Sound of Music Youth Edition's Scenic Projections!

Youth Edition

Immerse yourself in the timeless tale of The Sound of Music. Set in pre-World War II Austria, follow Maria, a spirited governess, as she brings music and imagination to the von Trapp children, instilling joy and family bonds. Her connection with widowed Captain von Trapp brings love and harmony. With looming Nazi threats, the family faces a pivotal choice. Featuring beloved songs like Do-Re-Mi and Edelweiss, this musical celebrates love and courage. The Sound of Music remains an uplifting treasure resonating across generations.

The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music Youth Edition

We are a small rural school. Digital backdrops were amazing. The support team was awesome. I couldn’t have done this show without the Digital Backdrops! They were fantasmorific for James and the Giant Peach TYA

Scenic Projections - Standard License

Chillicothe Middle School

Our students love having the Mean Girls projections, it’s the one comment they’ve all made!

Haywood Arts Regional Theatre

Thank you for all your help with getting our production rental set up. There were a lot of extra layers to this show with projections, but the projection package from Broadway Media took part of that stress away!

Scenic Projections

Arrowhead High School

It worked great for us. Our theater is over 100 years old and is a renovated movie theater with very limited wing space. The projections have opened up a lot of possibilities for future production options. Even by using an old, back of the theater, projector.

Rialto Theater

It was the very first production for Newtown Stage Co and we sold out both performances! We LOVED the slides and plan on using slides for every show moving forward.

Scenic Projections Standard License

Newtown Stage Company

Everyone at Grande Prairie Live Theatre would like to thank Broadway Media for the excellent background graphics you provided us for our production of Shrek. These were colorful, detailed and very creative. They added to every scene.

Grande Prarie LIve Theatre

Thanks so much for your fabulous images. They really made a huge impact on our show and worked beautifully. Lots of the audience commented on them as we normally have enormous sets and it was a big change.

The Little Mermaid

Methodist Ladies’ College

We were extremely pleased with the projections for our production of Beauty and the Beast. They added a magical element to the show and helped make the transitions seamless.

North Greenville University

I just wanted to tell you how wonderful our show has been received. With the help of your animated backdrop putting us over the top. Thank you again and again. Looking forward to our next endeavor. 

Paul J. Gelinas Middle School

Tech support was great and once we had some time with the software, editing and running the show was easy enough.

The Sound of Music Youth Edition

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The Sound of Music Youth Edition Production Photos

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