GC3: Carrying Out My Role

 

 

 

To get started finding the props I had a meeting with the Director of the Musical and together we went through the script and created this  first Props List Sheet.

I then went to a rehearsal and talked with the Director and the Stage Manager about any more props that were needed. From this I added more props to the previous props list.

I also went to another rehearsal and again talked with the director to make sure that there were not any more props to get. As I could not stay the whole of the rehearsal I asked the Stage Manager and the Deputy Stage Manager to sit in for me in turns. I then combined all these lists with the directors list to make a final props list.

 

After I received all the information for the props and what was needed and condensed them into one props list  I had a meeting with the Stage Manager (Ashleigh Gow) and we distributed the props between the Props Manager ( Myself), the Stage Manager, The Deputy Stage Manager and the Assistant costume and props managers.

We did this by using the calendars to work out what the high priority items would be and what needs to be made either on the day or the day before. For example food items so that they do not go stale.

 

 

 

 

This is a digital copy of the First Props List I created. I have added to this list who  I delegated to get the prop and when it was to be got by. I managed this by keeping a flow of communication between my team via text and talking.


This is a digital copy of the Final Props List I created. I have added to this list and again to keep to deadline I have distributed all the props  equally.

Here is a props list that has notes and additions on it for where the props might be. I made this sheet with the stage manager during the pre show week rehearsals. This is important to do as we need to know where to se the props every night and where they need to be put back each night.

 

Here is a lists of the setting for the props in their pre show state.

 

During the pre show rehearsals and the dress runs the Stage Manager made notes of what was needed to be changed, re done or any additional items needed. We also spoke with the directors after each rehearsals and dress rehearsal to see if they have any notes on anything that needs to be changed or acquired.

 

The Stage Manager also wrote out the Job Roles for everyone during the show. It was my job to make sure that the props department managed their job roles that were set by the Stage Manager as well as myself.

Here are some pictures of props that we sourced as a team.

Here are some pictures of two coffee machines I sourced. I sent the pictures to the stage manager and the director so they could choose between them.

These are some of the items that I used to stock the shop with to make it look authentic.

 

Slushies.

Spray Paint for graffiti Pete.

Boxes to show that the characters move out of the town.

Bin bags and brushes to clean up after the riot that happens at the end of act 1. As well as this we gathered rubbish and papers to make the set look like it had been trashed.

 

For the Newspapers the Director wanted to have authentic American Newspapers from Washington. However when we tried to source these on the internet we found they were very expensive and way out of our budget. So the Stage Manager and myself bought 30p local Newspapers and covered the front of the paper with print outs of Authentic American Newspapers. This saved a lot of money and was also quick to do.

 

Here are some pictures of the props tables that I created with the Stage Manager. We needed to have four props tables as the set was large and there were lots of exits and you could not access the back stairs via backstage as there was no room and the performers may move the back curtain.

 

To make sure that each table is organised and the stage crew know where to find each prop there is also a list for each props table and what should be on it.

This is useful as it make sure that each table has the same items on each night which not only creates continuity but if anything were to break or go missing that we did not know about we can check the list every night to check this.

 

Reception Props Table

Stage Right

Stage Left.

 

Behind the Set.

 

 

I also needed to create a mural for the character Abuella Claudea as she dies during the show and another character called Graffiti Pete creates a painted mural to honour her.

To do this I started by getting a picture of the actress in her wig.

I then researched previous versions to get a visual understanding of what it should look like and how to age the younger actress while still making it look like her.

 

Here is the design for the Mural.