THE PROPERTIES DIRECTORS HANDBOOK
PROPS for the THEATRE
Setting up a shop involves more than dividing by the kind of work done and the products used. It also must consider how the work flows through the shop. Any shop, large or small, uses materials and must access stock. Getting those raw goods into the shop from sheet goods and lumber to furniture pieces requires rolling access. Having a loading dock where lumber, metal, foam, and other materials can be unloaded onto a rolling cart allows for the delivery of materials to be safely and easily accomplished. Many theatres have a central loading dock for access to the entire building and utilize corridors with ramps and elevators to move goods between the floors and around the building. As the spaces are being planned, it is critical that adequate freight elevator support is provided when the prop shop is located on a floor different from the access point for raw materials. Utilization of a passenger elevator to move lumber and other cumbersome prop materials can create a problem for both the safe movement of the materials as well as for the public or other theatre personnel needing to use the elevator. Most personnel elevators are too small to move large furniture pieces and completely inadequate for moving lumber and large sheet goods.
Once at the prop shop, materials need to have a storage place where they can be placed until ready for use. Lumber should be stored flat to prevent warping but can take up too much space in most shops. Some theatres buy only on an as-needed basis and have only vertical storage available for sheet goods, metal, or lumber to be used on a specific build. Others work with the scene shop to access materials from a general stock and charge back against their particular budgets for goods used allowing materials to be bought in quantities and available but not having to necessarily be stored in the prop shop. A balance of having materials on hand and available for work and yet not having too much quantity of materials taking up valuable work space is needed. This is true of all spaces from the woods shop to the crafts room to the upholstery and soft goods area. Managing materials and knowing the inventory so materials can be purchased in appropriate quantity is one part of the artisans work process.
Getting items from stock is an important part of the work flow through the shop. As the prop list determines what items might be pulled, those pieces are found in storage and brought to the shop for cleaning, alteration, or repair. Moving furniture pieces such as sofas, dining room tables, and other large heavy items requires wheeled dollies and furniture pads to allow them to be moved without damage to either the piece or the people doing the moving. Smaller items such as clocks, glassware, picture frames, books, etc are often moved in boxes loaded in a cart. All items should be packed in adequate padding to prevent accidental breakage. As the items are cleaned or repairs completed, a safe dust-free storage area should be provided in the prop shop.
Some theatres have rolling prop "run" boxes for storing completed props allowing an easy transition at prop check-in time. Others simply designate particular shelves or a storage cabinet for completed props. The size of the show and the amount of props may determine what kind of storage space is needed with some shows requiring a great deal more and others far less. It is also perfectly acceptable to load completed props in storage boxes in anticipation of prop check-in.
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Electrical Floor Surfaces Water Ventilation/ Dust
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WORK FLOW and ACCESS
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Milwaukee Repertory Theatre - Prop storage/ run/ strike cabinet. Doors allow for secure storage and castors and trunk handles make them easy to move.
