Props and Properties Masters

1. Props and Properties Masters Max Busser and Emma Rice

2. The History and Origins of Props A property, commonly shortened to prop is an object used on stage by actors during a performance. The first known props were stylized hand held masks, called Onkoi, used by performers in “Greek Theater” and have become symbols of theatre today, known as the “comedy and tragedy masks”. First use of Props: Barbed Wire - 1867 Coke - First use as a brand name - 1941 Kool -Aid - 1927 (originally spelled Kool-Ade) Tide - 1946 iPod - 2001 Microsoft - 1975 Top Hat - January 15, 1797 Murphy Bed - 1900 Camera - 1839

3. Properties Master Job Requirements The property master is anartistic and organizational employee in a theatrical production who is responsible for purchasing, acquiring and/or manufacturing any props needed for a production. The property master also works with other members of the production managing the physical appearance of the stageorset, for example they might work with the script supervisor to maintain set continuity. While designing the props for a show, the props master must create a props breakdown which is essentially a logical map of the progression of each prop throughout the story. During the performance of the production, the props master makes sure the props are positioned where they need to be on stage and organizes the props that aren’t on stage. They also make sure that any actor that needs a prop, has that specific prop when they go on stage. In professional theater, props masters maintain their own budget. They There are physical aspects of productions that are managed by specialists other than the property master, for example weapons masters are responsible for any weapons (firearms, blades, etc.)

4. Prop Designer Properties Artisan and Master Eric Hart is well-known in the props community as the creator of Prop Agenda, a literate and enjoyable blog that offers fascinating glimpses into the ongoing life and challenges of today's props master Hart's professional experience is extensive and varied. He has spent most of the last four years working with the prestigious “Public Theater” in New York City as Assistant Prop Master, and Lead Props Artisan. Hart has also worked with such companies as the Santa Fe Opera, the Actor's Theatre of Louisville, and more, and as Props Artisan for a variety of famed NYC Christmas window displays for Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Lord & Taylor.

5. Culture The Chinese Culture of Props Qimo is the name for all stage properties and some simple decorations. Qimo (the props) includes objects of everyday life such as candlesticks, lanterns, fans, handkerchiefs, brushes, paper, ink and ink slabs, and tea. How the Chinese Culture uses parts of the set as a prop to represent what’s going on in the play: A table can be used as a rock or other objects. When a person goes up a hill, he stands on a table. One table on top of another can represent a high mountain. The table can also represent a wall for jumping over. An actor conveys sleeping by slumping over a table with the head resting on one hand, and climbing from a low hill to a higher one by stepping from a chair onto a table. Waving a whip means riding a horse, and waving an oar means rowing a boat. The Chinese theater culture is very different from the Unites States. In the United States theater a table represents a table and not a mountain. If we needed a mountain we would come up with something to represent it either its a back drop, part of the set, and or main set. (meaning its there for the whole show)

6. Works Cited  Finkelstein, R. The History of Props: A Timeline of Props and Product Usage. N.p.: Artslynx Dramaturgy Pages, n.d. PDF. Mitchell, Angela. "The Prop's the Thing for Eric Hart: Part 1 of 3." About.com Performing Arts. About.com, n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2013. McMahon, Mary, and Bronwyn Harris. "What Is a Prop Master?" WiseGeek. Conjecture, n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2013. "Stage Props in Peking Opera." - China Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2013.