Crazy Summer

Drake McDonald from One Hope Church in Tuscaloosa, AL brings us this super fun design for summer.

They made this design by mounting Coroplast (or correx) to black foam core and then nailing the foam core the wall. They lit the set with an array of hex lights, color bars, and zooms with some moving spots on the ceiling.

The far left corner and the bottom right corner were made out of a Mod Scenes design they cut to fit into the shape they wanted.

For scale, the back wall (where the center screen is) was about 50′ wide. It was 16′ from the top of the center screen (not the top of the ceiling) to the floor.

Creating Bold Geometric Stage Designs with Coroplast

Summer stage designs offer unique opportunities to embrace vibrant colors and playful geometries that might feel out of place during other seasons. This installation from One Hope Church demonstrates how strategic use of Coroplast panels can transform a standard stage into an energetic, contemporary worship environment. The bold angular shapes create visual movement and excitement that perfectly complements the carefree spirit of summer programming.

The construction technique of mounting Coroplast to black foam core provides multiple practical benefits for temporary installations. Foam core adds rigidity to the lightweight plastic panels, preventing warping and ensuring clean edges that read clearly from audience distances. The black backing eliminates light bleed-through that could reduce the impact of colored lighting, while also creating crisp shadow lines that define each geometric shape. Nailing the assemblies directly to the wall ensures stability throughout the service while allowing for relatively easy removal when the season changes.

Color psychology plays a significant role in the success of this design. The bright yellows, oranges, and reds chosen for this installation evoke warmth, energy, and enthusiasm, emotions that align perfectly with summer themes and vacation Bible school programming. These warm tones also photograph beautifully for social media promotion, helping churches showcase their creativity and potentially attract new visitors. The saturated colors work particularly well under modern LED lighting fixtures that can enhance or shift the hues throughout different portions of the service.

The integration of Mod Scenes elements demonstrates smart resource allocation by combining purchased modular components with custom-built pieces. Mod Scenes panels offer professional-quality geometric patterns that would be time-intensive to replicate from scratch, while the custom Coroplast shapes allow for unique branding and sizing specific to this venue. This hybrid approach gives churches the best of both worlds: efficiency where it makes sense and custom craftsmanship where it matters most.

Lighting design considerations were clearly central to this installation’s planning. The combination of hex lights, color bars, zoom fixtures, and moving spots provides versatile control over the visual atmosphere. Hex lights offer saturated color washes that can transform the entire stage with the press of a button, while zoom fixtures allow for precise highlighting of specific areas. The moving spots on the ceiling add dynamic movement and can create engaging effects that draw the congregation’s attention to key moments in the worship experience.

Related Designs

• Light-Filled Boxes – Discover how Grace Capital Church created stunning custom light boxes with exposed bulbs and versatile Coroplast diffusion for under $500.
• Taste the Rainbow – Learn how to create a wavy Coroplast backdrop with offset studs for dynamic stage lighting and visual depth.
• True North – See how Oak Hills Church built a textured backdrop using Coroplast and styrofoam bowls for their youth ministry under $25.
• Italic – Explore how Heritage Church created giant 3D letters using corrugated plastic and LED lighting for their Daring Faith series.
• Fractal Wall – Discover how Next Level Church created a stunning textured stage backdrop using Mio Paperform tiles and pendant lighting.

Pro Tips for Colorful Summer Stage Designs

Plan Your Color Palette Strategically: When working with bold colors, consider how they will interact with your lighting system and camera equipment. Some highly saturated colors can cause issues with video recording or create unexpected results under LED lighting. Test your materials under your actual lighting conditions before committing to the full installation, and consider having neutral backup options if the colors prove too intense.

Secure Mounting is Essential: Temporary summer installations still need to be safely secured. The foam core backing in this design provides rigidity but also adds weight that requires proper anchoring. Use appropriate wall anchors for your surface type, and consider the dynamic loads that might occur from air conditioning, doors opening, or vibrations from sound systems. Document your mounting methods so future teams can safely remove and reinstall the pieces.

Consider Sight Lines from All Angles: Geometric designs that look stunning from the center of the auditorium may appear distorted or less impactful from side seating areas. Walk through your space during installation to verify that the shapes read clearly from all vantage points. The angular nature of this design works well because the shapes are large enough to maintain their impact even when viewed from oblique angles.

Plan for Storage and Reuse: Quality Coroplast installations can last for multiple years if properly stored. Create labeled storage containers for each piece, including photos of the assembled design for reference. Consider whether elements from this summer design could be repurposed or modified for fall or winter themes, maximizing your investment in materials and volunteer labor.

Related: Light-Filled Boxes – Grace Capital Church’s stunning $500 stage design featuring custom light boxes with exposed bulbs and versatile Coroplast diffusion options.

Related: Office Party – See how Southeast Christian Church transformed fluorescent light panels into an elegant stage backdrop perfect for Night of Worship events.