Pizza Party!

The Service Design Team from Immanuel Church in Gurnee, IL brings us this fun stage design.

To create this, they strung cardboard pizza blank circles through fishing line. They suspended the strands from the ceiling, and then used colorful LED lighting to light it up. They spent about $300 on the project.

Creating Whimsical Stage Designs on a Budget

This clever design from Immanuel Church demonstrates how everyday materials can transform into extraordinary stage elements. The use of cardboard pizza blanks—those circular pieces that separate pizzas in delivery boxes—shows incredible creativity and resourcefulness. What might seem like trash to most people became a stunning visual centerpiece that added texture, depth, and playful energy to their worship space.

The concept behind this design is both simple and brilliant. By threading these lightweight cardboard circles onto fishing line, the team created multiple strands of floating discs that catch light beautifully. When illuminated with colorful LED fixtures, the cardboard transforms from plain brown circles into glowing orbs of color that seem to dance in the air. The semi-translucent nature of the cardboard allows light to filter through while still maintaining enough opacity to create solid visual shapes.

One of the most impressive aspects of this design is its accessibility for churches of any size. At approximately $300, this project fits within almost any budget. The pizza blanks themselves are inexpensive and often free—many pizzerias are happy to give away excess blanks that would otherwise be discarded. Fishing line is affordable and readily available at any hardware or craft store. The LED lighting represents the primary investment, but even basic color-changing LED pars can create stunning effects on this type of textured surface.

The installation process requires some planning but remains manageable for volunteer teams. The key is creating secure overhead attachment points for the fishing line strands. Ceiling grids, exposed beams, or temporary rigging points can all work depending on your space. Varying the lengths of the strands creates visual interest and depth, with some circles hanging lower to create a sense of movement and dimension.

Lighting design plays a crucial role in maximizing this setup’s impact. The cardboard circles act as miniature light diffusers, softening LED beams and creating gentle gradients of color. Slow color fades work particularly well, allowing the congregation to experience the full spectrum of hues as they transition through the worship set. Uplighting from below creates a different effect than front lighting, emphasizing the three-dimensional quality of the suspended circles.

Related Designs

Looking for more inspiration with hanging elements, creative materials, or budget-friendly stage designs? Check out these related stage designs:

• Down the Light – Northland Church used hanging fabric drops with Kabuki solenoids for dramatic reveals and projection mapping during their Easter services.
• Dancing Diamonds – Willow Creek North Shore created captivating hanging diamond shapes with professional lighting fixtures for dynamic visual interest.
• Multi-Purpose Squares – SALT Nashville designed versatile hanging wooden squares wrapped with LED tape that can be reconfigured for different service moments.
• Hexagon String Art – Village Baptist Church built geometric hexagon shapes with RGBW LED lighting and creative string art patterns for a unique backdrop.
• Dotted Half Moons – Willow Creek Huntley used styrofoam cups arranged on foam boards to create textured half-moon shapes that catch light beautifully.

Pro Tips for Creating Hanging Cardboard Designs

Sourcing Your Materials: Contact local pizzerias and pizza supply distributors for cardboard pizza blanks. Many establishments discard these regularly and will give them away for free. Aim to collect at least 200-300 circles for a substantial visual impact. Store them flat to prevent warping before installation.

Stringing Technique: Use a large needle to thread fishing line through the cardboard circles. Space them 4-6 inches apart for optimal visual density. Tie knots above and below each circle to keep them in position, or use a small dot of hot glue to secure them without knots. Test different spacing to find what looks best in your specific space.

Lighting for Maximum Impact: Position LED fixtures to graze across the surface of the cardboard circles rather than hitting them straight on. This side-lighting technique emphasizes texture and creates shadows that add depth. Use color combinations that complement your worship theme—warm ambers and oranges create intimacy, while cool blues and purples evoke contemplation.

Safety Considerations: Always ensure overhead rigging is secure and rated for the weight of your materials. While cardboard is lightweight, moisture can cause unexpected sagging or failure. Keep fire safety in mind—cardboard is flammable, so maintain safe distances from hot lighting fixtures and consider treating the material with fire retardant spray if required by your venue.

Related: Moving Day – Discover how Purcellville Baptist Church used actual moving boxes to create a sermon series stage design that cost under $50 and could be donated to families afterward.