A show's prop list is the ever changing center the world.
At the Rep the lists are created in a two part fashion. Jim Guy
creates an initial list for each show a year in advance when budgeting out
shows. Stage Management creates a list in the first week before
rehearsal. They then meet up and create a master list combining the two.
Everyone in the shop get's emailed or linked to the master list. From
there it is broken out into everyone's respective area's. As props get
cut or changed the list is updated by both Jim and Stage Management. Props
and stage management, for each show in rehearsal, meet every morning going over
all notes and changes. This is after the prop shop morning meeting when
we go over whats been gotten done. Give an update on process of projects being worked
on, re-prioritize projects if need be, and go over the evening rehearsal notes
and discuss changes. That way, if we have any questions on a note, or about how
an item is used, Jim can bring it up with stage management.
This shop has specialized artisans. Katie handles all paper goods and
painting. Anything dealing with soft goods is Margaret. Any
furniture or construction is Eric. Casting goes to Anna, and Sarah and
Anna divy up all the crafting. The team is well oiled enough to know what
things they are responsible for. Anna takes lead Props Directing on any
show in the Cabaret space. I'm aware that this team runs a bit differently and
smoothly than other shops. I've talked with them about how tasks and
projects are divided up at other houses. Usually a team would go through
the list under direction of the props master/director and get assigned
projects. Most shops don't have such strongly delineated specialists.
When it comes to tech load in, Jim and Anna work with the stage managers and union crew to place items. Prop team cannot place items onstage. Jim can only point and the union member places it. We take props down to backstage ramps and the dressing room area. SM places them on tables. At this time we also bring down props from the rehearsal rooms because as props are finished being built by the prop team during the rehersal weeks, they are brought up and integrated in. If too fragile, or consumable, we hold onto it until prop check in.
If props were unfinished at tech and load-in time, we still send them up if we can for placement. Then we grab them after they have worked through the section it is used and bring it back to the shop to be worked on or tweeked.
Nice entry - I agree you will probably NOT find a shop run elsewhere that has such highly specialized job categories and the people who fluidly work in them....actually Jim has more people than many shops so perhaps that allows the more specialized positions...enviable! thank you for including photo- helps me to see the list of jobs being assigned to you. don't be afraid to ask for more challenging work!
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Angela, I am so proud, you create awesome to the max wherever you go!!
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