Properties AKA Props Which of these are props

Properties AKA “Props”

Which of these are props? • Imagine that a play takes place in a dining room. – There are shelves of china and knickknacks, potted plants, drapes, a mirror, paintings, and a huge table w/ tablecloth, place mats, napkins, silverware, dishes, goblets, and piles of food.

Which of these are props? • ANSWER: all of them!!! • Props include anything the actors handle onstage, as well as any furniture, draperies/curtains, carpets or paintings that help create the overall look (more specifics to come)

Who handles props? • Only the actor that prop is assigned to • Props Master- person in charge of obtaining and organizing all the props – This is a very told term that has been around for hundreds of years • 5 Ways to Acquire a Prop – – – Build Buy Borrow Rent Pull • Retrieve out of storage b/c you already own it

Where do we get props? • Some theatre/supply houses specialize in selling or renting certain items • Depending on the prop: – – – Craft stores Goodwill Antique shops Yard sales Even Wal-mart

Set Props • Furniture, carpets and lighting fixtures • Work w/ other technical elements to establish time period, place, income level of the characters, etc. • Think of set props as the items that are smaller than the rest of the set, but are large enough that they aren’t moved easily

Decorative Props/Set Dressing • Details such as paintings, newspapers (scattered on the floor or piled in a corner), curtains, etc. • Tell an audience a lot about the characters that inhabit this environment

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Hand Props • Items used directly by actors during a show • Ex: a letter, a book, a gun, telephone, etc. • Help establish a specific character – An elegant heroine might gaze lovingly from behind a fan – A poor man, despite his hardships, can’t part w/ his father’s gold watch – Props in Clue: The Musical are very specific

Clue: The Musical

Questions • How do props define a time period? • How can a prop tell the audience something about the socio-economic status of a character? • In what way can a prop provide focus for a scene? • How might a prop help to create a specific mood?

ID the Props

What to use? • Research for authentic props – Time period is important • Some scripts feature a prop list – Create a props plot: list of props needed for each scene • Go for illusion – If it’ll work, use it

Perishable Props • Plants – Plastic or silk plants are better • Food – If it is just for looks, go w/ the fake stuff (like paper mache or specialty items) – If it consumed, then you need real stuff • Toast (don’t get soggy/gross)= French Fries • Mashed Potatoes (don’t melt)= ice cream

Rehearsals/Productions • Hand props should be obtained quickly • Props tables should be set up • Prop should be “checked” • Props should be replaced on prop table by actor or crew

Props Plot example: (Sims) Item Description Mechanical Pencil Yellow w/ tan tip, Bic #2 w/ red eraser Use Writing Notes More lead can be heard inside when shaken Chapstick White tube and Relieving chapped Usable cap, label is blue, lips but 90% of label is worn off from being in pocket Breath mints Ice Breakers, Liquid Ice, clear container w/ orange cap Freshening breath Orange flavor, only two left

“My Pockets” • What kinds of things do you normally carry with you? – In your pockets or in a purse? • What important props would there be that would clue us in to who you are? • Create your own props plot for items you typically carry with you – BE SPECIFIC • To be turned in

Props Plot Item Description Use Notes