Profession prop master / prop mistress

Prop masters/mistresses setup, prepare, check and maintain objects used on stage by actors or other small movable objects called props. They cooperate with road crew to unload, set up and prepare the props. During a performance they position props, hand them over or take them back from the actors.

Personality Type

Skills

  • Design props

    Draw prop sketches and define prop materials and building methods

  • Adapt to artists' creative demands

    Work with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.

  • Work with respect for own safety

    Apply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.

  • Work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervision

    Take the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution for performance and art facility purposes under supervision.

  • Prepare personal work environment

    Correct settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.

  • Work safely with machines

    Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.

  • Translate artistic concepts to technical designs

    Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.

  • Manage personal professional development

    Take responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional development based on reflection about own practice and through contact with peers and stakeholders.

  • Use technical documentation

    Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.

  • Prepare stage effects

    Prepare stage food, blood and other effects.

  • Set up props in a timely manner

    Make sure props are set up on the stage or set according to the time schedule.

  • Build devices into props

    Build mechanical or electrical devices into props.

  • Define prop building methods

    Decide on how to build the necessary props and document the process.

  • Adapt props

    Adapt existing props for use in a specific production.

  • Develop prop effects

    Work with creative personnel to design special effects involving props using mechanical or electrical devices. Advise on feasibility and develop the needed prop effects.

  • Safeguard artistic quality of performance

    Observe the show, anticipate and react to possible technical problems, ensuring optimal artistic quality.

  • Use personal protection equipment

    Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.

  • Work ergonomically

    Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.

  • Preset props

    Arrange props on the stage in preparation of a performance.

  • Change over props

    Set, remove, or move props on a stage during a changeover.

  • Ensure visual quality of the set

    Inspect and amend the scenery and set-dressing to make sure the visual quality is optimal with in constraints of time, budget and manpower.

  • Manage stage effects

    Prepare and operate stage effects, preset and changeover the props during rehearsals and live performances.

  • Organise resources for artistic production

    Coordinate human, material and capital resources within artistic productions, based on the given documentation e.g. scripts.

  • Prevent fire in a performance environment

    Take steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are aware of fire prevention measures.

  • Maintain props

    Check, maintain and repair props.

  • Understand artistic concepts

    Interpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.

Optional knowledge and skills

define prop materials plan pyrotechnical effects ensure safety of mobile electrical systems store performance equipment modify scenic elements during performance obtain stage weapon permits plan weapon use on stage assemble scenic elements on stage store stage weapons purchase stage weapons store pyrotechnical materials purchase props work safely with chemicals document your own practice obtain pyrotechnic permits mark the information from the ground plans on the stage area maintain stage weapons prepare stage weapons work safely with stage weapons promote yourself keep personal administration manage consumables stock operate pyrotechnical control develop professional network advise client on technical possibilities draw prop sketches perform first fire intervention assemble performance equipment

Source: Sisyphus ODB