Props

Props are an essential part of any production, helping to bring stories to life and creating a sense of realism. Props transform empty spaces into vibrant and exciting worlds, sparking the audience’s imagination and drawing them into the story.

Having enjoyed arts and crafts since childhood and experimenting with different techniques, I have developed the skill of looking at an object and seeing how to use it in out-of-the-box ways.

Props don’t need to be elaborate to be effective. Bob the Caterpillar, for example, is made from bottle tops. The simplicity of his design attracted the children I worked with at the time. They would come into the office each week, find Bob and then hide him for the next person. A few years ago, I made a “King’s Sceptre” with objects found around the office.

Since transitioning from a primarily business focus to a performance focus I have found myself in the best position possible. Every day I get the opportunity to create things from nothing – it could be something as simple as making a flyer to use in a short film or as elaborate as a period-style hairpiece.

One of my favourite ways to use props outside the theatrical world is to create Themed Shop Windows. When I created a Priscilla Queen of the Dessert bus for a local lolly shop to coincide with a local production of Priscilla. It became an attraction for them. People were stopping by the shop to take photos of the window before coming in to explore the store.