It is easy to create this paper model of the Globe Theater.
It was damaged in a fire in 1613 and completely destroyed during the English Civil War of 1643. It has since been reconstructed, but scholars and historians will freely admit that nobody knows the exact construction of the original theater.
It was thought to be round or octagonal with approximately twenty sides. It was approximately 100 feet across and was three times as wide as it was high.
There was specific seating for the various classes of people. This was typical of many the play houses constructed during this time period. The wealthy sat in the gallery. The yard housed a mixture of the lower class including shopkeepers, servants, soldiers, laborers, fishermen, etc.
Many class assignments include the requirement of building a model of the Globe Theater. There are many different ways to complete this assignment, and one of the easiest is to construct the Globe out of paper.
Probably the most important condition of building the model is the type of paper that you choose. Some type of textured paper would work better than simple notebook or print paper. You can find textured or artists' paper at art supply stores.
You will need to decide how large you want your model to be and adjust your measurements accordingly.
The directions for this model focus on the galleries, stage, and yard, so that you will be looking at basically two thirds of the theater from the inside.
You will need some type of support system, and popsicle or craft sticks or straws work best. You will also need white glue and a hot glue gun and acrylic paints or magic markers. Acrylic paints give the model a more professional look, but magic markers will get the job done.
Start with a large piece of cardboard for the base of your model. If it is too large, you can always cut some of it off after you have finished the model.
Using at least three pieces of paper, fold each piece as if you were folding a letter, but fold it into fourths instead of thirds. Open the paper back up and the folds will create the octagonal shape of the theater.
Tape or glue the pieces together lengthwise so that the papers create one long length of paper. You should be able to curve the long, joined piece of paper into a semi-circle, and that forms the back and side walls of the theater.
You will need to place your craft sticks on the cardboard base creating a semi-circle that will be the same length as the paper walls you have created. After you have them placed the way you want them, glue them to the card board. (A hot glue gun will be easiest to use when dealing with craft sticks.)
On each outside crease of your paper walls, glue craft sticks. You will need two craft sticks for each crease. This will give your walls more stability.
Run a line of hot glue along the edge of the inside of the craft sticks and along the cardboard. Working quickly, press the bottom of your paper wall and the bottom of your wall supports (sticks) against the craft sticks along the entire semi-circle.
To form the stage, fold another piece of paper in half and then fold the edges in toward the middle forming a one inch fold on each side. Put the folded paper (stage) against the inside of the wall directly in the middle.
To hold this stage in place, take two popsicle sticks and hot glue them to the card board base, and then run a bead of glue on the outside of the sticks and push the edges of the stage into the glue and hold in place for a few seconds.
You may want to take a small piece of cardboard that is cut to fold and fit under the stage, put a dot of glue on it, and slide it under the stage for support.
You are now ready for your paint. Decide how you want to paint the seating. You should have three levels of seating around the walls to either side of the stage. You can add rails to designate the galleries. Contrasting colors work best to add depth to the seating area. Behind the stage, draw and paint three levels with curtains, as this is where the actors stayed until they came on stage.
If you are really industrious you could glue craft sticks for the rails and paint them a contrasting color.
You can decide how you want to decorate the outside of your theater. Search the internet or check out a book from the library to get more ideas on color and decorations.
Use your imagination. The more creative you are, the more unique your theater will become!
