Largs Academy Department of Drama Prop Designer & Manager Reference Booklet

Introduction to Props  Props is the name for objects that are the property of the theatre. This is an extremely important theatre production skill. Props are objects that are used by a character in the course of a drama/play. Sometimes these props are central to the storyline, for example a murder weapon, and sometimes they are used to help make the drama more realistic. When we use things like swords, telephones, handbags, dinner plates etc. in a drama these are all props. Selecting, looking after and organising the props is the responsibility of the props master. Types of Props There are three different types of prop: Personal Props Pre-set Props Dress Props   Personal Props are props that are used by a particular character in a drama and it is that character’s responsibility to bring this object onto the stage when they enter. E.G. A character’s wallet that they take money out of, a brush that they fix their hair with, an chocolate bar that they walk on eating etc.

Pre-set Props are props that are set up on the stage before the drama starts. None of the characters bring them onto the stage during the drama; instead the props master puts them there before the show starts. Pre-set props are always used at some point during the drama. E.G. Apples that are sitting on the table at the start of a play and that a character eats half way through a scene, a telephone that a character uses at some point during the drama, plates that are arranged on the table and that the characters eat from.   Dress Props are props that are arranged on the stage by the props manager. The only reason they are there is to decorate the set and make it look more detailed or believable. Dress props are never used during a drama – they’re just there to look at. E.G. A picture on a fire place, a vase of flowers.

What can Props Communicate to an Audience? There are 6 main things that props can communicate to an audience.   The time in history when the drama is taking place. This is called the period. E.g. if the characters have mobile phones then the play is probably set in present day. The weather in the drama, e.g. an umbrella would make the audience think it’s raining and a fan would make them think it is hot. The occasion, e.g. if someone had gifts wrapped in paper with snowmen on it then it’s Christmas. Recent events in the drama. The location where the drama is taking place. Information about the characters. E.g. their occupation, their personality, their age, their status, their likes/dislikes.

How Can Props Be Creative? How can a props master be creative? Interpretation of period styles Is the prop in keeping with the period? Does it clash with the period? Why? Does the prop to reflect and support character’s personality? Does the prop help to reflect and support the themes and issues of the play? Do the props help to reflect and support style of production? How can the props help to reflect and support mood/atmosphere Use of colour .    

Roles & Responsibilities of the Props Master The role of the props master is to research, source (find), design and create props appropriate to a particular production. By appropriate, we mean props that are ‘correct’ in terms of the period and location in which the production is to be set, the style of production, the mood and atmosphere of the production and the director’s interpretation of the characters. The props must be practical and usable and should fit with the director’s blocking of the play. It is also the job of the props master to lay the props table and pre-set props and to make sure that actors know where the props will be placed and how to use them.    

Who does the Props Master Work With? The props master will liaise with the following people: the director – to ensure that props support the director’s interpretation of the play in terms of period and style the set designer - to ensure that props match the set designer’s interpretation of the play in terms of period and style the costume designer- to ensure that props match the costume designer’s interpretation of the play and the characters, especially personal props the stage manager as this is the team member with the best overview of all of the technical aspects of the production the actors – to ensure that the actors are aware of where and when props will be placed or set and, if necessary, how more complex props operate

Props Designer Checklist Props List Show Name: Prop Item Act/ Scene Pre-Set Pager No Description Character Location Ends Notes/ Prop Type Task One: Read through the script again. You should copy and compete the table above whilst reading.

Task Two: Read the following information carefully. A props table is just what it sounds like, a table where you lay out all your props so that they are readily available during the production. Having a well-organized props table will ensure that your production runs smoothly and in the best possible manner. Read the steps below to learn how to set up a props table. The more props you have the more props tables you are going to need. Never be tempted to crowd everything on one table. Learn to use more tables when appropriate. Productions will usually provide the props manager with a list of all the props to be used. Using your list you can easily estimate just how many tables you are going to be using. Knowing where to set up each props table is very important. As the props manager approach the stage manager. The stage manager should inform you where the props tables are allowed to be set up. There are typically two areas they are set up, the wings and the green room, but where exactly will always by up to the company behind the production. You will want to add a layer of paper to your props tables. Using long sheets, place them across the whole table and secure them around the edges of the table using masking tape. Now that you have setup your props tables and have added paper to protect both the table and the props, you can actually start laying out the props on the tables. Lay out the props and you can start organizing them. Lie out all the props on your table and spend some time looking them all over. Props come in all shapes and sizes and they are going to be used to different times during the production. Keep in mind that some props are used more than once. It is advisable and makes the most sense to group the props according to what part of the production they will be used. This makes everything nice and organized come the time when they are to be used. Delicate props need special attention and make sure to place them in the middle of the table. Remember that the backstage of a production can be quite hectic and the props tables may be accidentally bumped into multiple times.

Props can fall off when the tables are hit so it’s best to keep the fragile ones in the centre where they cannot really fall off and break. A broken prop is something a props manager should avoid at all costs. It is very useful to label the table and create a little area for each prop. Draw round each item and label it with a short description: the act, and scene in which it’s used, and the name of the character who uses it. So that at a quick place a prop can be located or returned to its proper place. It looks a little like a theatrical CSI table and, sometimes actors are guilty of not returning their props to the table. Be prepared to make changes as rehearsals progress to best serve the show's smooth run. Remember it's your rehearsals too. Theatre is a collaborative art form, it takes a team. Task Three: Using your props list from the previous task, create or draw a props table for your script.