Cool raygun prop!

Here is a link that teaches you how to use a commercial toy to create a truly cool scifi steamray weapon! Check it out! Did you build a great prop for your Halloween costume? Send us some pics, a list of ingredients, a few steps in the how to department and if we like it, we'll post it! Send it to Markrmorris2@sbcglobal.net !

Here’s a fun little prop that expresses a concept I like to call “propeye”, which is the ability to see props in ordinary household items. We just completed a production of The Wiz. In this urban retelling of The Wizard of Oz the tinman is a carnival midway barker left to rust when his amusement park shuts down. He finds himself underneath the considerable girth of his late “wife” teeny. In the film teeny is a cross between a robotic aunt jemima and a bowling ball and coming up with a concept to make her was no easy task.

To make Teeny you will need the following: A large rubber exercise ball like the one shown here, one small baby doll, and a small child’s dress with a full skirt and short sleeves (thrift store, buy cheap, buy ugly color won’t matter but get something with lace or beads for texture).

You will also need: Duck Tape, spray paint (cheap gold, silver, brown, and flat black), and a can of 3m super 77 spray glue. (see the prop box tutorial for more on this amazing product)

First I placed Teeny (the doll) in the dress. I rubber banded and safety pinned her at the arms and neck. Second I sat Teeny on the doll and taped her legs down wrapping all the way around the ball, being careful to keep the tape tight. Also make certain you do not cover the air plug and place it on the opposite side of the ball from Teeny’s head. (for the reinflation, we call it reverse liposuction)

Now using the super 77 and a drop cloth or outdoor space (trust me a film of this glue on your wife’s tile will not improve your love life). Spray the ball and the dress wherever they come in contact then fold the dress back and let the adhesive set up for about a minute before pressing the skirt neatly in place.

For the finishing touch apply the four color paint job as described in the Tinman tutorial here: And welcome Teeny into the funfilled world of live theatre!

I know this a very special use item but I hope it will assist you in learning the art of “propeye”. If you need creative ideas for props email me @ Markrmorris2@sbcglobal.net

Ten minute toadstools!

Ten minute toadstools

When producing Alice in Wonderland we came up with a clever little design for giant mushrooms or toadstools. We later reused them for The Wizard of Oz and I included them in a design for Charlie and the chocolate factory. They are made from readily available materials and are very quick and easy to put together.

First gather your materials. You will need:
1. Sonotube or equivalent cardboard concrete form in a 6 inch size.
1. Circle of chicken wire about 18 inches across
1. Circle of 1” upholstery foam approx. 20-22 inches across.
1. Strip of 1” upholstery foam about 8-10 inches wide and long enough to wrap around the bottom of the tube.
Enough muslin or bedsheet material to cover the toadstool
White and bright colored latex paint
Staplegun and staples

1. Cut the tube to desired height. This can easily be done on a large miter or chop saw. It can also be done , very carefully on a table saw, or using a circular saw. The one in the picture is about 18 inches.

2. Wrap the strip of foam around the base of the tube and staple in place. This will give your ‘shroom a tapered look, thicker at the bottom.

3. Shape the chicken wire to roughly form the top of the toadstool and lay it across the top of the tube.

4. Cover the chicken wire with the foam circle. You can now staple through the foam in three or four places to attach the foam and wire to the tube. Be careful not to crush the wire along the outer edge of your mushroom.

5. Cut a round piece of muslin large enough to cover the top of the toadstool and wrap underneath to the tube. Start on one side tucking it up under the wire, staple it to the tube. Pull the muslin over the top of the mushroom and fasten on the opposite side of the tube. Now working your way around, tuck and staple the fabric to the tube.

6. Cover the tube with the remaining muslin and paint to taste. Voila your caterpillar or munchkins will be right at home! They also make cute decorations around the theatre!

Choose your weapon!

If you stick around theatre long enough you will eventually be involved in a show that necessitates the use of weapons! Usually it will be pretty tame stuff like a pistol or a sword.

In the event that you are asked to care for such an item here are some things that you should consider.

1. Does it need to be a practical weapon? (ie a gun that fires, even blanks, or a sword with an edge) If the answer is even remotely no then don't do it! The risks far outweigh the potential benefit to the "reality" of your production.

2. If it must be practical, what safety measures should you take? Here is the gun safety check list required by actor's equity union to be posted if firearms are in use. It is printable and I strongly advise making a couple of copies.

3. Who will be responsible for the locking and unlocking of gun and knife boxes, etc? In addition to the safety rules you will need a check in and out system that must be strictly enforced.

4. Check to make sure that you are in compliance with local laws before assuming. In many municipalities fireworks, pyrotechnics and the like are highly restricted and may require a licensed professional.

5. Make sure you have a qualified trainer on hand to train both actors and stage hands about the use and handling of weapons.

If used correctly they can add a lot to a performance. Make sure to set up adequate safety to control the use of weapons.

Prop list 101

So, the director just handed me a script and said "Make a prop list", now what? Well first off let's define props shall we? A prop in my book is anything used on stage that is easily picked up and carried.

There are several subcategories: personal props are things that "belong" to one actor (a checkbook or pocket watch), set props usually have a home on the set are used by actors and returned to their home (telephone), set decoration props are things such as hanging pictures which fall in a grey area between sets and props but may be managed by the props master.

Now that we know what a prop is, how do we go about compiling the list? First of all check to see if the acting edition you are using contains a prop list, these are usually found in an appendix at the back of the printed script and can be very useful. (note image above: first page of properties list for Witness for the prosecution)

If not, never fear it really isn't as daunting as it seems. Simply begin at the beginning and look for anything that any actor uses or directly refers to in the script. Write all of these down, you will make changes later. Once you have this general list go back to the director and ask him or her to peruse your list and tell you which items will and will not be used.

Almost invariably there will be things on this list that the director will not use. Also there may be additions of items not found in the list or in the script . These things usually have to do with specific things the director is trying to get across in interpretation or will be used in bits of business specific to this production.

If you have access to a computer it might be good idea to compile your list using a word processor. Or, if you have the time to import your script into Celtx you can combine the two into a searchable database including images! With a didgital copy in your computer you have easy access to printing additional copies, a copy will be saved in a safe place and you can use it to email requests for items etc.

Once you have a list it is time to start pulling props. Most theatre companies will have a prop closet or trunk that they have stored various items in. Start here, pulling anything you think might work, checking off items as they are found.

Next move on to the borrowing phase. Ask around among cast and crew for items you need. If you have connections with other theatres or schools in your community ask if they might have any of the items you need and be willing to loan them to you.

Once you have exhausted your stock and borrowed what is readily available you probably will have made a pretty good dent. Next comes building or buying what you still need. We have already posted a wonderful article on this subject, for more click here.

Once all of your props have been assembled you can complete your list. You might want to create a chart showing which prop gets used when and by whom!

If you have the ability to use a digital camera you can include images which are very helpful in a hurry as not everyone will understand what galoshes are.

Make sure that each actor understands their responsibility to get their props from and return their props to the prop table. This cuts down on the wear and tear on your crew. Now you know, so grab that script and start the list!

Make a sheperds staff with items you have on hand

5 Minute Shepherd’s staff.

So you were asked to do props for the Christmas play? Well chances are you will need a couple of these bad boys. This is at least one project you won’t have to figure out on your own.

1. assemble materials: You will need a piece of PVC pipe or broomstick, some paper, a roll of masking tape, and a can of brown spray paint or other brown paint.

2. Crumple you paper and twist it into the shape of a hook for the top of your shepherd’s staff.

3. Wrap the paper hook in masking tape and tape it to the top of your PVC or broom stick. Be sure to wrap it good as this is where the hook gets its strength.

4. Paint and allow to dry.

5. Go herd some sheep!

The care and feeding of props

Prop table 101 and a little prop etiquette

Props are usually organized on a “prop table”. Any good sized sturdy table that can be set in a convenient location will serve this purpose. Each prop should have its own space on the table boxed off with masking tape and labeled (see image). It is usually advisable to have someone specifically in charge of making sure that each prop finds it place at the beginning of each performance and is put back afterward. That person is traditionally called the prop master or mistress.

In addition to making a specific space for each prop so that a quick visual inventory can be taken, you might want to consider dividing your table into acts and scenes with props categorized by when they are used in chronological order.

The props table is also a good place to keep a few things handy such as: scissors, safety pins, hot glue, staple gun and staples, superglue, masking, duct and gaffers tape. You may never use some of these items but every one of them is something I have needed at least once in a backstage emergency!

Make sure you remind your actor’s of the cardinal rule of prop usage, “If it isn’t your prop, don’t touch it!” There is nothing quite like coming out of a quick change booth to find that someone has moved your props and they are nowhere to be found. One other simple rule: you break it onstage doing what you were supposed to, company buys another one. You break it chasing someone down the hall with it, you buy another one. You must make sure that everyone knows and respects the time and effort that goes into finding, making and caring for props.

Prop Safari, where to find the props you need

What is a Prop and Where can I buy one?

Here is an example of one way to store props on open shelving with labeled containers.

A prop (short for property) is usually defined as any small to medium object that is moved or used by an actor. Here is a list of possible props: a book, a pair of glasses, a keychain, a wallet, a pocket watch, a musket, a cellphone…You get the idea, the possibilities are endless.

Because the work of keeping a show going is generally divided between different departments or individuals, deciding what is a prop and what is not can be very difficult. For instance in some productions the glasses and watch mentioned above could just as easily be considered costume.

Larger items such as chairs, etc. are usually considered set pieces, while stationary objects such as hanging pictures are usually considered set dressing. This is something that will need to be decided so that everyone knows who is responsible for what.

Some props are very easy to find and for most modern productions the majority of the things you need you will have or be able to borrow. For the hard to find or expensive things try a little bargain hunting. I like to go to garage sales and rummage sales. Thrift stores , junk stores, and flea markets are also good sources for many things. If you look long enough you can buy almost anything used! You’ll save a lot of money and have a lot of fun in the process.

I recommend you take pictures, drawings, or notes about the items you are looking for with you on your shopping safari. I cannot count the number of times that I have left my list and ended up going back out for things that I had walked right by. Bringing a digital camera with you is not a bad idea either. You never know what you might see something that you are unsure of and need to run it by the director or stage manager. In most cases used merchandise is non returnable so make sure before you buy.

If the item you need is particularly important be sure you look early sometimes the simplest thing becomes the hardest if you wait until the last minute. We once waited until three weeks after Easter to look for white gloves only to end up in a specialty store paying double what they would have been if we had tried earlier. Be sure that you have some place to store all of the precious things you will begin collecting because most props are reusable again and again.

Need to build props? Look here for more info.

Propmaster toolbox 101

The Prop Master’s Toolbox

This is the prop tool box of Family Theatre Warehouse.

Because props are so varied the methods and materials for making and maintaining them are just as varied. It takes some time for a beginning props master to learn the tricks of the trade. Here are few tips that will give you a “quantum leap” in the right direction.

Tools you WILL use:

Scissors: two or three good sharp pairs.

Tape: masking, electrical, duct, scotch and gaffers or flat black cloth duct tape, you can order this here, or you can get it from your local heat and air supply and it will cost half of what they charge for gaffer’s tape.

Box knife: a plain ordinary one will do but I suggest one of the new heavy duty lock back models shown here. They cost a little more but try it, you’ll like it!

Exacto type modeling knife: Your local harbor freight tools or other discount tool house will sell a good set of these with different blades and handles for about half the cost of the hobby shop. This is different from the box knife, it is for precision cutting.

Hot glue gun: get the cool temp and the hot temp or get a gun that does both. Spend a little extra to get one with a good cord and a heavy duty trigger. You will thank me for that later.

3M super 77 sprayglue: this stuff sticks to almost anything with a strong bond and its instant. Perfect for gluing up documents, pasting patches on scarecrows, joining poly foam andmany other uses.

Boxes of buttons, bangles and beads: I’ve used everything from lamp parts to cheesy stick on jewels to dress up props and give them a more detailed look. Also fabric trims such as upholsterers gimp, braid and fringe will come in handy from time to time.

Gold spray paint: the cheap brand at Walmart for about a buck is the best. It provides a great finish especially if put on over flat black spray paint. Please save yourself the trouble and get the cheap stuff. The “good” stuff is too shiny to look right under stage lights. I usually try to keep several colors of spray paint on hand including white, black, gold silver and red. It will go on most anything (wood, metal, plastic, and fabrics to name a few, but don’t use it on vinyl, it will never dry!) and provides a great streak free finish with a little practice.

Wire, heavy string, and rope: All of these can be used to tie things together or as decorative details.

Paper clips, safety pins, wooden clothes pins, and bobby pins all serve multiple purposes.

Paint brushes: Small to medium. I prefer them with long handles. You will use them for paint and adhesives from time to time.

Marks a lot magic markers in black: for everything: You will use them a lot!

If you can afford it a Dremel rotary tool is a good addition to any toolbox but especially helpful in prop making.

Once you have assembled as much of it as you can find a good place to store it. Your tools will help you if you take care of them and keep them organized.