CAMBRIDGE — December 2014 marked the 80th anniversary of the Cambridge Rescue Fire Company’s Christmas Train Garden. In order to help celebrate this event, C-SD Theatre II students were asked to create scenic elements that would enhance the appearance of the newly-renovated layout. Using only their scenic design skills, a little paint, and a roll of brown paper, the students created realistic rock formations and a mountain that takes up an entire wall of the old firehouse.

Earlier in the fall, students began the time-intensive process of building up layers of paint on heavy weight paper, allowing for drying time between each successive coat as they worked from a dark shade to a light tint. The large paper panels were then crumpled like paper balls, flattened out, and ultimately formed and sculpted to fit the underlying structures built by Rescue Fire Company members.

Over the last two decades, Recue Fire Company members have been great supporters of the C-SD Theatre Department. They have helped build sets, worked on lights, sound, and special effects, and have often served as stage hands. To the students involved, being able to give something back to this organization was both an honor and a pleasure.

The Train Garden closed for the season Jan. 1st.

Special to The Dorchester Banner/Board of Education Pictured below, are C-SD Theatre students Jake Weber, Bob Grierson, Sean Grier, Lauren Robinson, and Thomas Anderson working on painting and installation under the direction of C-SD Theatre teacher Mike James.