Volunteering as a Props Designer
- Majestic Marketing
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
Position: Props Designer
Suitable for Ages 18+ (15+ with an adult co-designer)
Commitment Level: Very High
Involved with the production from the very beginning; attends Production meetings and design meetings; follows rehearsal reports for updates on needs; sources and builds props throughout the entire production process
Commitment: 6-12 months
Experience Needed: A fair amount—the ideal candidate has either served as Props Assistant on prior productions, or has previous experience from another theatre or school
The props designer uses a variety of resources to source, build, buy, or coordinate the various props needed for each production. They are masters of thrift, wonders with hot glue, artists with every conceivable medium, and know every single thrift store owner by name. In addition to designing and creating the props for performance, they also provide rehearsal props throughout the process so the performers can get acclimated to what they may be using as soon as possible.
How do I start?
Many Props Designers are recruited by directors themselves, through word-of-mouth or referrals from previous productions. You can also sign up for our newsletter to stay abreast of any available design positions for upcoming productions.
What's designing props like?
Designing props is a lot of work, but it's also really fun, especially if you're someone who likes crafting and thrifting. Props are a very important aspect of a production's design, because the objects that the actors interact with onstage help to ground both them and the audience in a really tangible sense of the setting of the play.
After you've met with the director to get an understanding of their vision and what they're looking for as far as design ideas, the first step is to read the script and create a list of props that you know will be needed based on the text of the play. For instance, if someone in the play talks on the phone, then you know you're going to need to provide a phone! You can send your list to the director to see if there are any props you missed. You can also make suggestions for props that you think might add to the play.
Once you know what you need to gather for the production, your first task is to find and organize a set of rehearsal props for the actors to use while you're sourcing and building the final props. Rehearsal props (and some final props!) can be found in the Majestic's offsite storage area, the Berg Complex. Theatre admin can get designers keys to this complex, and much of the inventory stored out there can be perused by visiting the Majestic's online Prop Storage library.
Sometimes a rehearsal prop ends up being the final prop with no modifications; sometimes the final prop is the rehearsal prop with some embellishment; and sometimes the rehearsal prop is simply a similarly shaped stand-in until the real prop is found or created. Rehearsal props are loaded into the rehearsal space sometime during the first two or three weeks of rehearsals, the sooner the better!
During the rest of the rehearsal process, the Props Designer works in the background on their own time to find and create all of the final props. Sometimes this means you stumble upon the perfect thing at Goodwill. Sometimes this means taking a couple of rehearsal props home at a time to paint or modify. Sometimes this means buying something online. Sometimes this means doing some basic graphic design to create paper props like brochures or posters. Every production has different needs!
If you need to purchase props or materials, you can order things online by entering them into the digital Online Ordering Sheet provided to your production. Or if you want to go out into the community and buy things locally, you can speak to theatre admin to check out a Purchase Card. (There is a brief training involved so that you understand all of the special rules surrounding making purchases.)
Sometimes during the rehearsal process, the actors and the director might request new props that they didn't know they needed until they blocked or worked a scene. These requests will be communicated in Rehearsal Reports, documents sent out after every rehearsal to all of the lead production volunteers, especially the designers. If there are any problems with props—for example, something breaks or it turns out that a particular prop is too heavy—that will also be indicated in the Rehearsal Reports. It's important to stay informed by reading them!
Once the show takes stage, props are moved from the rehearsal cabinets downstairs to props tables on one or both sides of the stage. The table(s) are also taped off with labels so that every prop has a clearly defined home and they are easier for actors and crew to track. (Some props might be preset on set pieces and won't live on a table.)
As tech and dress rehearsals proceed, modifications to props might be requested for various reasons, so it's especially important that the Props Designer is available during those weeks to make sure all of the props are ready for opening night!
During the performance run, the Props Designer will also receive Performance Reports, which will contain information about any props that might need to be fixed, touched up, or replenished.
After Closing Night, the cast and crew of the production engage in Strike, which is when everyone works together to return the theatre to its base state. This means cleaning up, moving the set offstage, putting away the costumes, and gathering up all of the props. The Props Designer is expected to come to strike in order to help organize and load up the props. If a prop was taken from Majestic storage or bought, it will return to the Berg Complex, and the Props Designer will put everything away. If a prop was borrowed, it is the Prop Designer's responsibility to set it aside and make sure it returns to its original owner.
...and that's Props Designing, start to finish! It's a lot of work, but it's incredibly rewarding to see your props help to bring the world onstage to life.
If you'd like to find out more about Props Design opportunities, reach out to the Majestic Theatre Volunteer Specialist Milo Galasso at milo.galasso@corvallisoregon.gov, and they can provide you with more information!
