Similar to electrics, the sound department collaborates with props to bring the props to life with audio support.  Radios, record players, televisions, telephones, doorbells-anything with a speaker - requires the coordination of installation with the sound department.  While props provides the actual physical source for the sound such as a radio, the sound department is responsible for making the sound emit from the source.  Other times the sound department is asked to provide sound support for special effects  like an explosion coming from a smoke effect or for a prop that needs to look like it is making sound such as a piano played by an actor who cannot play the piano but is simply moving his hands about on the keys.  This coordination of sound and props is best worked out early in the production process.

    

    Some sound departments have begun using "wireless" speakers which allow props to emit recorded sound even when no wires are possible. This is especially helpful when a unit is moved about and cannot be actor operated.  Obviously a small tape recorder or similar audio device can be concealed inside many props allowing sound to be emitted but the sound is limited by the device.   These units must be actor controlled as well making the cue dependent on the actor flipping the switch at the correct moment.  A "wireless" speaker gives the freedom to broadcast a variety of cues or change volume from the sound board run by the sound operator, not the onstage actor. These systems are battery operated requiring the same considerations as the light source mentioned in "Electrics" with space for batteries as well as the speaker and audio receiver.  Getting the wireless unit to the prop shop and working with the sound department from an early stage in the show build allows the prop to do everything needed to support the action required by the play.  Security of the unit and battery maintenance should be considered as the prop is built and the speaker unit installed.

 

        Live sound effects used to be the province of the prop department.   Today, sound effects are coordinated between both props and sound departments, sometimes including the music department as well in opera and music theater houses.  Offstage sound may be done as a live effect, sound reinforcement of a live effect using microphones, or it may be recorded.  For example, a doorbell rings offstage to signal the arrival of a guest.  Traditionally, the prop department would simply pull a doorbell from stock and the run crew would ring it on cue.  This can still work in small theatres where the sound of the doorbell is easily heard.  In many theatres however, the sound department controls the doorbell as a recorded cue manipulating volume, length of ring, pitch, etc.  They may ask to use a doorbell from prop stock for the initial recording but as sound effects and sound libraries expand and the digital ability to create and manipulate sound changes rapidly, the use of a live effect is becoming obsolete.   

 

 

    Collaboration between electrics, props, and sound is necessary when the prop must emit sound but also light up such as a TV set. Plays using television often face them away from the audience as they tend to draw focus away from the actors but the action of turning on the TV usually requires both sound and some minimal light effect to occur.  If the TV also has to have a picture then the video feed is coordinated with all departments as well.  

 

    For those theatres who do musicals or opera performances, the musicians who play the orchestration usually provide their own instruments.  In some cases the prop shop may be asked to provide an instrument not in the usual repertoire for a sound effect from the orchestra, for a performer to use on stage, or to arrange for piano tuning or other support.