The Props Table

Balloon to dove is a strange item. The performer inflates a balloon, clamps it to a very suspicious looking tray (one much thicker than what is needed to hold the enormous weight of a balloon), and Voila! —traumatized bird! Perhaps someone wanted to charge an extra fifty bucks for having a show with animals, and this prop just screamed to be bought at the local auction. Nevertheless, it probably isn’t very deceptive to adults. As for kids, it’s the bird that is getting the strong reaction, not the trick. If you doubt this, just skip the trick and pull the bird out of a paper sack.

Seeing that props are in place on the props tables are the responsibility of both the props running crew and the actor who uses the prop. The crew should do preshow check AND each actor should check his own personal props before the show. Ideally props should always be in their place on the table when not in use. The actor will pick them up before an entrance and should replace props on the table when they exit. During Strike , Props Crew is responsible for assisting Props Designer in returning props and insuring all items are returned in good condition.

The Props Designer

Bernie only makes a few of these each year and not many are put up for sale. This 36 plat, two tone brown & black stock whip is a prize for anyone’s collection. I imported this whip and sold it over 15 years ago and it was the keystone of a private collection.

The Props Designer discusses the budget with the Director and Staff Production Manager/Technical Director and determines if any props will have to be bought or rented. The Props Designer is responsible for obtaining a purchase order, check, or petty cash from the Department Administrative Assistant and making arrangements for purchase or rental (see Petty Cash policy ). At the end of the day’s rehearsal the props master should go to the post-rehearsal production meeting and receive notes from the director and designer and then develop a priority list for the completion of the props.

Naturally it is the star who catches the eye and ear of the audience. When the hero does and dares it is he whom the spectators are with heart and soul, and the curtain goes down upon the last set while auditors join in exclamations of rapture over the work of their idol. They fail to take into consideration that when from his trusty revolver sped the fatal bullet which winged the bold, bad villain, none other was responsible for the blank cartridge and the wreaths of white smoke which curled above than the humble property man.