Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup: Props, rent or buy?

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Props, rent or buy?

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Forum Discription: For how-to's and where-can-I-find
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2928
Printed Date: 7/29/25 at 11:16am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Props, rent or buy?

Posted By: JaneGwen
Subject: Props, rent or buy?
Date Posted: 1/24/08 at 11:49am

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!

Replies:

Posted By: dboris
Date Posted: 1/24/08 at 12:42pm

The community theatre's I work with rarely, if ever use props houses. The big downside to a props house is almost always going to be cost. We all know that community theatres operate on a shoe-string budget so they are always looking for the cheapest way to get things.

If we don't have a prop in stock, we will look at flea markets, yard sales, thrift stores, etc, borrow form other theaters, and ask cast and theater staff what they have available. I am constantly amazed a what an industrious prop master can actually come up with. We did a show once that required a mounted moose head. Our props person spotted one handing on the wall of a local resturant, and they were happy to loan it to us for the run of the show.

The only time I might resort to a props house is for something that is very specific and very hard to find.

Dan

Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 1/24/08 at 1:18pm

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...

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Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

Posted By: neilfortin
Date Posted: 1/25/08 at 4:28pm

We are a small theater on a very limited budget and most of the time cast members and crew members have the most uncanny ways of finding what we need! If we dont have it in stock upstairs from past shows, the search begins!!!!

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Community Theater makes us smile

Posted By: Aimee
Date Posted: 1/25/08 at 5:35pm

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.

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Aimee

Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 1/26/08 at 8:12am

Another way to "network" is check into your state organization (most have one, mine is OCTA, The Ohio Community Theater Association) many have resorce info available and others have web pages/forums (much like this) where you can ask the question "Hey any one have a three handled family credenza" or what ever... Most community theaters are generous and willing to share... (becuase thats the way they would like to be treated)...

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Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

Posted By: DramaMamaStill
Date Posted: 2/01/08 at 9:32am

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

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Life is Mysterious don't take it too serious

Posted By: ange
Date Posted: 2/01/08 at 11:18am

I talk to various schools , colleges and dinner theater groups in the area to see if they have it. The local high school that did Annie used an old bentwood rocker and added the wheels to it. Hope this helps.

Posted By: mary051756
Date Posted: 2/01/08 at 1:20pm

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

I find a lot of costumes at garage sales, on ebay and other websites, or we send out a Prop list to all cast members to see who might have what we need.

That said, I direct middle school theater, so I can cheat a little when it comes to props - I don't have to have a replica of the Annie wheelchair!

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“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” EMERSON