| Back to Print Stuff ! | - | Introduction | - | Before You Begin | - | Attention Grownups! | - | Pieces to print |
| Rubber Cement is less
expensive, and very clean and effective,
but it is not recommended for use by young people. It is a specialty adhesive designed specifically for bonding paper to paper. It is a clear liquid with a distinct odor and is hard to see when you spread it onto paper. Make sure you work in a well ventilated area, and point a fan at yourself while working if you can. IF YOU BECOME UNCOMFORTABLE IN ANY WAY BECAUSE OF THE SMELL, STOP WORKING IMMEDIATELY! Close up the cement and consider the labels listed at the bottom of this page. OK? |
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The answer is, School Paste and Glue Sticks make the pieces of the Theater ugly, wrinkled and warped like potato chips when they dry. ( I know. I tried both. ) |
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Also, School paste takes a long while to dry, while Rubber Cement is ready and dry in less than a minute. In fact, Rubber Cement dries almost as soon as you spread it on the paper. Which is part of how it works. Both parts may not seem sticky at all, but wait until you put the two of them together!
There is also no need to work quickly with rubber cement. In fact, after you have spread the cement, you can sing two whole songs from beginning to end, eat a sandwich and take a walk around the block. The two parts will still hold together very smoothly and tightly when you come back and put them together. Just remember to close up that Jar or can.
The only part of the Theater construction where a good dry glue stick can be used, is in attaching the side walls to the proscenium, and folding the actor halves together. (Note: The Actors do not require cardboard backing.)
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You don't need a lot of cement, just an even and thin layer on BOTH the cardboard and the back of the printed page. The cement will dry almost instantly even while you brush it on. This is normal. No need to hurry. Once you have spread the cement on both pieces, put the cap back and close the jar tightly. |
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When you place the two pieces together, try to be as careful as possible. They don't have to line up perfectly, but there should be some cardboard under each part of the page that has obvious printed parts of the theater on it. Once they're stuck together . . . WOW! No pulling them apart now! |
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Now apply even pressure in light, sweeping motions across the paper, to make sure it is flat and smoothly adhered to the cardboard. (Note: The Actors do not require cardboard backing.) |
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 Your young Theatrical Producers can now cut out the pieces whenever they want! |