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  • 1.  What are your most commonly-used props

    Posted 02-26-2025 23:37

    Hey all! 

    I'm starting to teach in the Fall, and I'm blessed to have a section of Tech Theatre. My plan is to take them through each area of backstage: lights, sound, scenic, etc. 

    For our props unit, I'd love for them to make some stuff we can use in shows. So I thought I'd ask a question: what are the props you use again and again and again?

    Right now, my list is: old books, letters, newspaper, fake food. What else should be on there? I'm looking for stuff that can easily be used across different plays.

    Thanks for letting me borrow your brains.



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    Bryan Lucchesi
    CO
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  • 2.  RE: What are your most commonly-used props

    Posted 02-27-2025 09:47

    Hi,

    Rotary dial phone, candelabras, typewriter, hat boxes, silverware, plates & glasses (unbreakable).

    DWT



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    Dana Taylor
    Educational Consultant
    www.techtheatre4teachers.com
    Evansville, IN
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  • 3.  RE: What are your most commonly-used props

    Posted 02-27-2025 11:22

    It might be good to come up with some ideas for props that could represent swords and firearms, without actually BEING swords and firearms. 



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    Josh Kauffman
    Teacher, Thespian Society/Drama Club sponsor
    Winfield City Schools
    Winfield, AL
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  • 4.  RE: What are your most commonly-used props

    Posted 02-27-2025 13:29

    Yes - wooden swords and daggers!



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    Ken Buswell
    Drama Teacher
    Peachtree City, GA
    http://mcintoshtheater.org/

    Theater kills ignorance
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: What are your most commonly-used props

    Posted 02-27-2025 16:32
    Edited by Jose Triana 02-28-2025 10:47

    If you're looking for props that can be easily used in different plays, then you may want to consider items that are not period-specific. For instance, what would look approximately the same all the way from ancient Egypt to today? Sure, some types of weapons, some types of glassware, some types of boxes. Remember that something as simple as a dial phone has lots of variations from the early 1930s to today. But if you want to narrow the periods from, say, the early 1900s to today, you have a lot more choices in the type of props that can be used in different shows.. There is lots of information on period styles online.

    You may also want to check out a couple of my blog posts on period stuff:

    https://setdesignandtech.wordpress.com/2024/11/27/keep-it-in-context/

    https://setdesignandtech.wordpress.com/2016/05/13/what-period-is-it/

    https://setdesignandtech.wordpress.com/2016/08/21/lets-make-it-victorian/

     



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    George F. Ledo
    Set designer
    www.setdesignandtech.wordpress.com
    www.georgefledo.net
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    Original Message


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