DUTIES

Upon assignment of the position, the props master will contact the scenic design instructor, (Chris Pickart – Ext. 5-5943), who will serve as supervisor, to arrange an initial meeting. At this meeting, the props master will be given the following:

1. A copy of the script
2. The budget information
3. The names and contact information for the director, designer, and stage manager of the production.
4. All relevant dates (Please note: The props master is required to attend all production meetings, technical rehearsals, and strike. Credit cannot be given without meeting this requirement.)

Following acceptance of the requirements, the props master will contact the director of the production, who will arrange an initial meeting between director, designer, props master and stage manager. Prior to this meeting, the props master will be required to read the script and become familiar with the property needs of the production. At this meeting, the following will be completed:

1. A list of all props for the production will be drawn
2. A list of rehearsal prop necessities will be drawn
3. A date after which no props may be added will be decided
4. A date when all props must be finished will be decided (Please note: the props master is responsible for delivering the props by this date. Credit cannot be given without meeting this requirement.)

After this meeting, the props master will contact the supervisor to review the prop list and discuss the best methods for acquiring all of the items on the list. Every list will be different. Items will be built, borrowed, found or bought. The props master and the supervisor will decide which method of acquisition will be most appropriate for the specific list. Before going to work on the list, however, the student and stage manager will be responsible for quickly acquiring the list of rehearsal props. The props master will then be responsible for arranging to deliver the rehearsal props before the first rehearsal. (Please note: Credit cannot be given without meeting this requirement.) The scenic designer is ultimately responsible for the visual look of the props. Therefore, the student will be responsible for contacting the scenic designer for approval of the final versions of each prop on the list.

Once all the props on the list have been acquired, the student is required to contact the stage manager of the production and arrange a system for delivery and storage of all the final versions of the props (It can be done all at once, or item by item.) Once tech rehearsals begin, the props manager will be responsible for setting up prop tables with stage management for the run of the show. The props master is required to be at all of the technical rehearsals to accommodate the prop needs of the director and the designer.

Once the show has opened, the props master will be responsible for staying in contact with the stage manager in order to maintain or fix props as needed.

After the show has closed, the props master is required to be at strike in order to assist in the removal and storage of the props from the theatre. Once the props are properly stored, with the supervisor’s approval, the props master may leave strike. Please note, however, the student may be asked to assist in the return of any borrowed props.

GRADING

The student will be given a pass/fail grade by the supervisor based on his/her ability to fulfill the requirements described above. The supervisor’s decision will be based on his own observations as well as on reports from the director and stage manager.