Throughout the summer and into the first term of 3rd year I worked as part of the props team for the Epsom Players production of ‘Spring Awakening’. My tasks included reading through the script and researching to make sure the props were era and thematically appropriate, going to rehearsals and speaking with the cast and director to ensure the props were not only visually pleasing but easy and safe for the performers to use and attending the production to help organise the props for the show itself. I had to respond to new prop requests as they were added, modify props that weren’t working as well as intended during rehearsals and create back-ups where needed- for example where one prop was destroyed and so needed replaying for each showing. I feel my time working on this project not only helped improve my physical making and design skills, but also gave me a glimpse into the pacing and requirements for working as a professional prop maker. This work experience also gave me the opportunity to network with other prop makers, such as those in the costume department and working alongside me. Aiding in building on my communication skills as well as working as part of a team. I found it interesting to compare my experience working on this project with my previous experience last year, creating props for one of the MA Film students at UCA, and I feel that through taking on these projects, I’m building a better picture of the various ways prop related work can differ for different productions and working environments. Additionally, through taking part in this opportunity, I have been invited back to work with Epsom Players in the future and will be working with them again on a production of Shakespeare after hand-in. I feel I have also gained a better knowledge of my strengths and weaknesses in physical making as throughout this project I received notes and feedback on how to improve my props for practical use, the level of detail required for theatre props in relation to the audience’s view of the stage and the balance between the time taken to create props and the level of detail I’m putting into them. As I’m hoping to pursue prop making as a career, I feel the more physical making projects I can get involved in, especially those related to props- the stronger my CV and skills base will be for applying for paid positions after my graduation.
