Working in the Theatre: Prop Masters

Through the generosity of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, the American Theatre Wing has invested a three-year grant of $1.3 Million to pilot and establish the Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative, which helps under-served, diverse students overcome barriers to pursuing a career in theatre. The Initiative provides public school drama teachers with the resources they need to nurture young talent in their schools, and gives training and university scholarships to underserved students, especially those from groups that are underrepresented in the theatre industry.

Please help us ensure that Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legacy at the Wing will endure forever. If you choose to support Andrew’s Legacy Fund this is a quick and easy way to do so! Simply open a new text message on your mobile device and enter the number 41444 in the recipient field. Type our custom “ ALW70 “ and hit send. After a brief pause you will be sent a link to donate which will allow you to customize your level of support. Any amount is appreciated and gets us one step closer to meeting the Legacy Fund Match!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The life of a Prop Master is often unknown even to those working in the theatre. But, an important career it is, filled with a variety of skill sets. From designing innovative and usable props to sourcing the best materials to finding the best price to fulfill budget, these busy theatre artisans must wear many hats. As we follow the journeys of prop masters Kathy Fabian, Buist Bickley, and Faye Armon-Troncoso, find out the ins and outs of what it takes to be a successful Prop Master in the theatre.




American Theatre Wing’s Working in the Theatre documentary series features the most fascinating people on the stage, behind the scenes, and in the audience. From Tony Awards® and Obie Awards® winning artists to the next generation of theatre makers, we capture theatre’s inner-workings, industry luminaries, and unique stories that surround important work.


#WorkingInTheTheatre #Season37

---Support Working in the Theatre---

Help us continue to freely distribute Working in the Theatre by becoming a Patreon member! We’ll take you behind the scenes with some of your favorite theatre artists, onto the red carpet at the Tony and OBIE Awards, and give you opportunities to interact with industry luminaries. The proceeds from your Patreon membership will be invested in grants, scholarships, and content that supports the theatre community across the country.

[christinaspencer]

"I try to make it toddler proof when dealing with actors they brake it"-every technician ever

[redd]

"They dont teach you in school" yet my teacher assigned this video to my class to answer the questions on it

[bunty]

As a high schooler, I didn’t know that prop masters make a mock prop, so they can evaluate on what they need to fix, add, or lose on the final prop. I always thought 💭 they go straight to creating the final product. Now that I know, I appreciate the tech a lot more!

[djtripp]

As a current rookie prop master struggling through a high school production of Le Mis, this is the most inspirational video I have seen in a long time. This brought a smile to my face, it is an incredibly stressful job and these seem like just the best kind of people

[brianabouttown]

The “theater lady”.... “the one who’s never got any money”
🤣

[edgedancing]

I never realized before how much effort and attention goes into all the little details.

[travisbell]

I love the Prop Star woman. I am in the same mind. I was a bit stunned by this video that things aren't used and repurposed but bought new. For that matter built! By an antique chair that could be built and painted by a good prop house for a fraction of the cost?? Anyone one ever heard of the art of illusion?

[iloveminions]

There is so much to props in every play and musical and I like how you can see how they are found and how hard it is at times.

[cedricwright]

Thank you thank you thank you! What a great video!

[AJB]

“Not the Queen—Helen Mirren playing the Queen.”

So… the Queen?

[jeymsy]

Very Informative at the same time they inspired me a lot ... I'm 17 years old but I really love Art especially creating props for a Role Play presentations in our school WE *ALWAYS* WIN for example :

We won 1st on a Room Decoration contest for Presenting our room inspired by a theme of a country INDIA . ( United Nation month )

We WON 1st of making something from a movie ... We made a Game of thrones Throne ( English Month )

Made a stage play called " If I were a Hero " and We've got 1st and won best production set

and MANY MORE !

It keeps me and us ( my classmates ) to strive more and *learn* *more* .... This video motivates me to get a course of Arts and Design in College ( I'm studying at Senior Highschool ).... I want to be a Prop Master too 😍💙 thank you for Inspiring me .

PS: I'm not really good in English sorry for my grammar 😅😄

EDIT!! Year 2021 Update: I'm shook that I commented somthing like this haha. I'm currently 21 Years Old now, studying Bachelor of Performing Arts major in Theatre (and a Scholar too!!) I still love crafting and stage designing!! I hope someday I'll be working with people who's also passionate about these stuffs :)

[clairebear]

Prop people, you help out a lot and I thank you for it.

[eviebee]

This is an incredible video. Informative and inspiring!

[dervinflavier]

Here in the philippines, no name or title that can describe your position at Art Department but it can be called "One man team" at TV Prod. But its nice because you can do whatever or wherever you assigned. 😊

[snowboarder]

"The one that's never got any money" 😂😂

[richardfollett]

This video is a wonderful classroom resource. Thank you!

[roaminggnome]

I wish things didn't get thrown away. That's such a shame. Why couldn't they just be donated to any thrift store? I feel like there should be a person whose job is to sell things at the end of a production and make some money back. And I know there are prop houses, but maybe there should be huge warehouses where things are stored in sections by period or something. It seems like a lot of prop people are having to reinvent the wheel unnecessarily.

Also, this guy should try to talk to some former prop masters & find out how they did this job before the internet! I'm sure many are still living; pre-internet wasn't THAT long ago... Mabye he could learn something. I'm interested to know about this myself!

[tatyanatyse]

something that stuck with me was that being the perfect prop master depends on your personality. also, the hard work the put into the props was phenomenal

[judithwalker]

Can you imagine? Ah!
Now, make it real, really real.
Indestructible, yet improved every day for consumers
who rarely if ever give it a thought!
?? Wow!

[gabbyrocha]

i love how they try their best to make it look so accurate, i also live how they make so strong because we as theatre kids do tend to break props easily!