MUGSS Properties Notes

So you're the person doing props, here are some notes that I made concerning things I found out (generally the hard way). Not all of them will apply to the props for your show; as shows vary wildly.

• Your budget is small. It may seem otherwise; it isn't.

• My notes had two forms. Organising props, had Prop Name (what is being looked for), Who (who/where it's coming from) and Obtained (gets ticked when we have it). This makes it easier to know what you have and what is needed, and who to give it back to afterwards.

  For show week, I had a list per act. Items noted in the order they are used, a column for if they were used in a previous act, and a column for where things should be preset. This list also contained things I had to remember to do before the start of the next interval.

• A props list is is not enough. You need details of what each prop is used for. Sometimes the effect is what is required, rather than the prop itself.
• If you wont have time to run round after props in the run up to show week; tell the Director. Fix a deadline to have the final list by, after which they know you simply cannot get anything else. (Be flexible, but secretly so!)

• MUGSS has a list of props it contains.
• Ask the Important List if anyone has what you want. People have useful connections.
• Ask local societies for anything which is borrowable. We have connections to SMAOS, Sale Gilbert & Sullivan, Sale and Altrincham Musical Theatre, Glossop Opera and Drama Society, Northernden Players and more. MUGSS will return the favour when they need anything we have.
• When borrowing props, write down what you borrow and who from. It makes giving things back a lot easier. People are grateful, and it helps your successors.
• Find a couple of helpful, friendly students with some free time who are willing and able to spend half a day wandering round town with their friends looking for props. Ask them well in advance (when they still think they have the free time).
• Pound Shops are a treasure trove of supplies. It pays to spend 10 minutes looking round them (it can save many hours or pounds later).
• Make what you can.
  • Fabric is cheap and good for some things
  • Costumes may have very useful offcuts.
• Know what excess/offcuts are left from set building/costumes. The Set Construction and Costumes Managers can make some things very easy.

• Try and save at least 20% of your budget for show week. You'll need it.
• Ensure that the director is aware that you must approve any spending on properties coming out of your budget.
• When going shopping for props, ask Set Construction and Costumes if they need anything. When they return the favour, it will save you lots of time.
• Some stuff is more critical than others. Prioritise.
• Make sure that stuff that should go together, does. E.g. if a tray goes in a basket, know the size of the baskets before sorting the trays.
• Let the Costume team see your props list before they go to hire shops. Some hire shops have a Theatrical Supplies section, and they can look out for things which might be useful.
• If one particular prop (or group of props) is taking a significant part of your budget, talk to people about alternative, cheap ways of doing things.
• If a prop is (overly) complicated or excessively time consuming, can it be replaced with something simpler?
• Your budget is still small.

Sam Smith – email S @ mSmith.net  
Properties Acquisition Co-ordinator/Muppet   
MUGSS, Princess Ida 2004