Aladdin and Princess Jasmine seated on a rolling magic carpet platform in Aladdin Jr, wearing cream and turquoise costumes during a school musical scene.

Aladdin JR: Magic Carpet

Rolling Stage Illusion for “A Whole New World”

We built a rolling magic carpet for Aladdin JR using a simple wheeled platform and a visual illusion that allowed Aladdin to appear seated while actually standing and moving the carpet across the stage. A cutout in the platform let him walk from underneath, while false legs created the illusion that he was sitting beside Jasmine during the scene.

Rolling magic carpet platform for Aladdin Jr under construction, built from plywood, lumber, and caster wheels for school musical staging.
Rolling magic carpet platform for Aladdin Jr covered in blue velvet with gold fringe for actor movement in school musical production.
Rolling magic carpet platform for Aladdin Jr with center cutout for actor positioning during school musical construction.
Rolling magic carpet platform for Aladdin Jr covered in blue velvet with gold fringe and center opening for actor movement in school musical production.

  1. Lumbar pieces cut to size. If you need a lighter structure I recommend plumping PVS pipes..

  2. Wheels…this is very important. You need very smooth rolling wheels or it’s challenging for the actor to roll the platform.

  3. Cut a hole through the platform fit to the actor. Make sure it’s not to big or the actors upper half will have too much movement wrecking the illusion.

  4. Add elastic to the table cloth so the table cloth acts as a skirt around the actors waist

  5. Add face legs to the platform to finish the illusion of Aladdin sitting on the carpet.

  6. Carpet: I used this table cloth and it was PERFECT! Comes in all kinds of sizes. Cheaper than the cost of fabric and trim.

  7. Black skirt: I used a catering table cloth. So easy and comes in many sizes! Cheaper than the cost of fabric.