Which ever prop you end up using – please be aware that possession of anything that even looks like a weapon on a school campus can be grounds for being expelled for a student. To protect your students and to assuage your admin, have a prop weapons safety policy and rules in place before anyone brings any prop weapons onto campus. Here's an excerpt from my Safety Manual book (link to books in my signature line) that you are welcome to use as is or adapt as needed (if your school theatre doesn't have theatre technicians on staff, substitute the words drama teacher, or other staff members in charge).
Prop WeaponsSchool policy prohibits the carrying, possession or use of a firearm – or anything that looks like a firearm - on school premises, which includes, but is not limited to, guns, knives and swords. Prop weapons are permitted in the theatre for the purposes of use during rehearsals and production only. Prop weapons are not toys, therefore the following procedures must be followed:
The theatre Technician must be informed prior to the event if the event includes the use of any prop weapons.
If you will be bringing a prop weapon to the theatre for the use in your event, the theatre Technician or other district employee must meet you at your car and accompany you to the theatre. (This is so that you are not put in the place of being mistakenly accused of having a weapon on campus, between your car door and the theatre door.)
Prop weapons shall only be available when required for a rehearsal or performance. Only the performer who is using the prop weapon, the Props Master, assigned Weapons Handler, event manager, or theatre Technician shall handle any prop weapons. If your character does not use the prop weapon, do not touch it.
All prop weapons shall be treated as real weapons; handle prop guns as if loaded, and handle prop knives and swords as if they are sharp. All prop weapons shall be secured in a locked room or cabinet when not in use.
The school shall be held harmless from injury or death resulting from the use of prop weapons.
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Beth Rand, EBMS
Educational Lighting Designer
School Theatre Operations Coach
www.PRESETT.org- HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE OPERATIONS BOOKS and COMPLIMENTARY ARTICLE DOWNLOADS (http://www.presett.org/helpful-books.html)
- LIGHTING INSTITUTE FOR THEATRE TEACHERS - ONLINE MINI COURSES (ask for complimentary syllabus)
- HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE OPERATIONS ONLINE COURSE FOR TEACHERS (ask for complimentary syllabus)
- THE ECLECTECH SHOPPE (http://www.presett.org/eclectech.html)
beth@PRESETT.orgWestminster, CO
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-20-2019 07:49
From: Rebecca Reisert
Subject: gun in WEST SIDE STORY
Original Message------
There was a similar discussion a few months ago.. hopefully here is the link as there was some really good discussion in this thread.
Another route you might explore is to have another actor or technician simply clap two boards together off stage when the prop gun is "fired". With some rehearsal timing, this can be pretty effective.
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Michael Johnson
Trinity NC
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