As a producer, Director, Prop Master, where do you get your props?   For example, you need a vintage wheel chair for "Annie", where do you get it? I live in an area with many community theaters and no prop houses. I am considering opening a prop rental shop but I am concerned that most of the theaters would rather buy the wheelchair than rent it. If you had a central place to get everything you needed for "Annie" from the wheelchair to the laundry cart to the gold locket, would you use it? Thanks for any input!

small stuff can be found online..(usually) Or made (hopefully) I would hate to have to rent stuff.. We ahve a warehouse at our theater, and we try to loan whatever we have to whoever needs it... and hope they will reciprocate when the time comes...

For really unusual props, as I work at a fairly small high school, I go to the local community college (which I also work at) and check around with other high schools . Getting in that network has been priceless. THe exchange of info, props, lighting equipment and so on...well there have been a few shows I could not have doen without thier help.

I have been properties procurrer for plays for about 9 years now purely by default.  I have discovered that there are particular props that essential create an era i.e. styles of telephones, lamps, phonographs ... even plain toothbrushes and coffee cans. things which are fast becoming obsolite.  I have collected a fair number of telephones... both my candlestick phones are actually lamps that look like phones, but are fabululous  on the stage and were substantially cheaper than the authentic ones.  I try to collect distinctive things that I don't think I will be able to make myself that reflect a period or era.  Keeping an open mind and creative eye are your best assets.  So far I have not had to rent anything although my attic is a major disaster right now

I would only use it if the cost were not prohibitive (including shipping)...