Words with Friends

Courtney Durham from Church on the Hill in McMinnville, OR brings us this church stage design idea keying off the popular app, Words with Friends.

They started by printing a design on paper, then mounted it to foam board (4×8 sheets). They cut the foam board with a hot knife and hung them.

Then they cut Coroplast sheets into squares and mounted them with pins behind the drum cage.

They had all these materials on hand, so the design was free for them.

Design Concept and Inspiration

The creative team at Church on the Hill wanted to tap into the cultural phenomenon of the Words with Friends mobile game while creating a visually engaging backdrop for their services. The crossword puzzle aesthetic offered a perfect blend of familiarity and visual interest that would resonate with congregation members across different age groups. By scaling up the familiar game board elements to stage size, they created an immediate connection point for anyone who had played the popular word game.

The choice to use foam board and Coroplast was driven by both budget considerations and practical construction needs. These materials are lightweight, easy to cut, and readily available at most hardware and craft stores. The team discovered that foam board provides excellent rigidity for hanging pieces while maintaining a lightweight profile that makes installation manageable for volunteer crews. The Coroplast squares added dimensional depth behind the drum cage, creating visual layers that catch light differently throughout the service.

Construction Techniques and Materials

The foam board elements were created by first designing the letter layouts digitally, then printing them at full scale. The hot knife technique mentioned is crucial for clean cuts through foam board without creating the ragged edges that can occur with standard blades. A quality hot knife tool heats up quickly and glides through foam, sealing the edges as it cuts to prevent crumbling and ensure professional-looking results.

For the Coroplast squares, the team cut standard 4×8 sheets into uniform squares using a utility knife and straight edge. Coroplast’s corrugated plastic structure makes it ideal for stage applications—it is weather-resistant, lightweight, and holds its shape well when suspended. The squares were mounted with simple pins, allowing for quick assembly and disassembly while maintaining secure positioning throughout the service.

The decision to place these elements behind the drum cage was strategic. This location provided a natural frame for the design while ensuring the squares would be visible to the congregation without obstructing sightlines to the worship team. The spacing between squares created interesting negative space that allowed stage lighting to create dynamic shadows and highlights.

Budget-Friendly Benefits

One of the most impressive aspects of this design is its cost-effectiveness. By using materials already on hand, Church on the Hill achieved a completely free stage transformation. For churches looking to replicate this design, the material costs would still be minimal—foam board runs approximately $10-15 per 4×8 sheet, and Coroplast is similarly affordable, especially when purchased in bulk.

This approach demonstrates a key principle for church stage design: creativity often trumps budget. Rather than investing in expensive backdrops or digital displays, the team leveraged simple materials in an innovative way. The result is a design that looks polished and intentional while remaining accessible to churches of any size or financial situation.

Related Designs

Explore these other creative stage designs that use similar materials and techniques:

• Pixel Perfect – A creative cardboard pixel art design using boxes and coroplast panels with LED backlighting for a retro gaming aesthetic
• Moving Day – An innovative cardboard box stage design that demonstrates how everyday materials can create stunning visual impact
• Arrayed – A striking flagging tape design with foam core elements that shows how simple materials create dramatic stage presence
• Hexagon String Art – Geometric shapes using corrugated materials and creative lighting for a modern worship environment
• Multi-Purpose Squares – Versatile hanging squares wrapped with LED tape that can be reconfigured for different service themes

Pro Tips for Foam Board and Coroplast Stage Designs

Plan Your Layout Digitally: Before cutting any materials, create your design in a digital layout program or even on graph paper. This allows you to experiment with spacing, scale, and proportions without wasting materials. Print full-scale templates when possible to ensure accuracy during the cutting phase.

Invest in Quality Cutting Tools: A hot knife is essential for professional foam board cuts, but technique matters. Let the tool do the work—do not force it through the material. Move slowly and steadily for clean edges. For Coroplast, use a sharp utility knife with multiple blades on hand, as the material can dull edges quickly.

Consider Weight Distribution: While foam board and Coroplast are lightweight, large installations can still create significant weight loads. Plan your hanging points carefully and use appropriate hardware. Test your mounting system with a few pieces before committing the full installation.

Lighting Makes the Difference: These materials respond beautifully to stage lighting. Foam board provides a matte surface that absorbs light evenly, while Coroplast can create interesting translucent effects when backlit. Experiment with different lighting angles and colors to maximize the visual impact of your design.

Related: Baseball Score – Discover how Momentum Church created a baseball-themed stage design using PVC panels, Coroplast, and astroturf for their sermon series.