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  • 1.  Props Suggestion

    Posted 08-13-2025 08:56

    I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this question, but I'm looking for advice on how to make the electro shock therapy device for Diana in Next to Normal. This is for a community theater production. I've tried researching props for this show specifically and this device in general, but not having any luck. I would appreciate any advice or suggestions on other places to look for help. 



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    Nancy Schuneman
    Stage Coach Players
    DeKalb IL
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  • 2.  RE: Props Suggestion

    Posted 08-15-2025 16:56

    I just did a google search for "electro shock machine" and came up with lots of photos of new ones and antique ones, and a search on eBay also yielded lots of photos. 

    Depending on your staging and how the machine is used (and how it will be seen), you could make a box with several dials, or use a small desktop radio with dials, or even use an older laptop turned away from the audience, with a custom label hiding the brand name. What will make it believable are the wires coming out of it and of course the power cord.



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    George F. Ledo
    Set designer
    www.setdesignandtech.wordpress.com
    www.georgefledo.net
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  • 3.  RE: Props Suggestion

    Posted 08-19-2025 15:59

    I would definitely check out all the thrift stores, where you can often find unusual-looking electronics. You can spray-paint them white and put them onto any sort of rolling cart (or if you can't find a cart, put wheels on a table/podium). Most people don't know what it should look like anyway, so anything with wires and buttons/dials should work.

    If you can find a thrift store that sells used electrical and plumbing parts, you can add more parts to complicate your machine, too.



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    Veronica Brush
    CO
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