Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup: Where to get props?

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Where to get props?

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=3214
Printed Date: 7/30/25 at 10:43pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Where to get props?

Posted By: HongKongCV
Subject: Where to get props?
Date Posted: 5/30/08 at 5:17pm

I'm working on a production of "Barefoot in the Park", and need two props that I have no idea how to obtain. I need a Franklin Stove, real or fake doesn't matter, as it's a stationary item. And I need a radiator mounted on the wall. A real steam radiator is extremely heavy, and it won't be attached to a permanent wall, so I'm looking for convincing fakes.

We're a very small community theater, and have no prop shop and little ability to create convincing fakes. Does anybody have any ideas where I can find the things we need?

Replies:

Posted By: neilfortin
Date Posted: 5/31/08 at 12:05am

With no reference to where you are...or your budget (but as a SMALL community theater, I can only imagine that its small!) there is a FANTASTIC place in New Bedford, MA called the New England Demolition and Salvage...they stock everything from old fashioned bathtubs, Franklin Stoves, Corbels, Desks, Stained Glass, everything a set director might want....its AWESOME!!!

Its at 73 Cove Street in New Bedford, no website, but absolutly worth a look if your nearby!

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Community Theater makes us smile

Posted By: Spectrum
Date Posted: 5/31/08 at 8:33am

We fashioned a SMALL steam radiator by stacking sections of four inch thick styrofoam (with real hardware attached) that looks pretty darned authentic. Since it is primarily styrofoam, it is exceptionally light and was mounted on a shelf attached to a "hard flat" with no problems. Where are you located and how big is your stage/set?

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Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

Posted By: HongKongCV
Date Posted: 5/31/08 at 2:58pm

We're a fairly new theater located in the southern US, and use what is essentially a converted church (a small one) for the theater. The stage area is the old pulpit/choir area. The stage has no fly system (obviously), little backstage area, and is approximately 30' wide by 20' deep (in an irregular shape, narrowing to about 18' wide towards the back).

Our total prop budget is less than $2k, but on the bright side we have most of the props and building material that we need on hand, reusable leftovers from previous shows.

I wouldn't want to spend more than $400 or so on the stove, though I'm a realist and will spend what I absolutely have to spend.

Posted By: neilfortin
Date Posted: 5/31/08 at 6:19pm

http://cgi.ebay.com/Montgomery-Ward-Franklin-Heater-Wood-Burning-Stove_W0QQitemZ270240329111QQihZ017QQcategoryZ12QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem - http://cgi.ebay.com/Montgomery-Ward-Franklin-Heater-Wood-Burning-Stove_W0QQitemZ270240329111QQihZ017QQcategoryZ12QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

A quick ebay search yielded this...not to bad a price. New Bedford probably isn't within traveling distance for you...but check around your area, Architectural Salvage places are fantastic, sometimes they will even loan out their stuff for the run of your show for a quick bit in the program! Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

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Community Theater makes us smile

Posted By: neilfortin
Date Posted: 5/31/08 at 6:21pm

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Franklin-Cast-Iron-Wood-Stove-Atlanta-Stove-Works_W0QQitemZ300190032185QQihZ020QQcategoryZ41987QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247 - http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Franklin-Cast-Iron-Wood-Stove-Atlanta-Stove-Works_W0QQitemZ300190032185QQihZ020QQcategoryZ41987QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

This too!

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Community Theater makes us smile