Props Thoughts - #1

I'm going to start talking props and design here, try to not only document my thoughts on it, but look for patterns in my process and ways to improve. Blah blah blah.

Designing props - it's a rough gig, because props seems to be the dumping ground for anything set or costumes doesn't want to do, in addition to having all the stuff that clearly falls under "properties". It's also the one scenic element that gets no (and I mean absolutely zero) recognition outside of other theater folk - and even they aren't always sure what is props and what isn't. I had a recent show where the set designer got much praised for the quality of the set, and while I don't want to disparage what they did, a lot of what was being praised was the set dressing/props, which was all my domain. But how is a reviewer to know that? How is anyone to know that?

And it's okay. It is. If I'm doing my job well, much like with stage managing, no one notices it. The production looks great, and everyone is happy, and I'm not in it for the recognition anyway (I'm in it for the money, so let that sink in before you take me too seriously). It can be frustrating, sometimes more than others, but generally it's not a problem. But if you ever decide to become a props designer, be warned - you want people not knowing your name. It means you didn't fuck up.

And be prepared - you'll have a list of things you think are the things you need to find, and show up at the first production meeting only to find that you're also responsible for the furniture and a bunch of things that could be costumes, but because the costume designer doesn't want to find them, or pay for them out of their budget, they're now your problem. Oh, and they added a bunch of stuff. And will continue to add stuff right up through tech week. And they broke the stuff you brought in. And can there be a real banana every night?

Who's ready to design?