KRISTA D. PRICE

Important terms are in RED.

Google Classroom assignments are in BLUE.

If ABSENT, you are REQUIRED to read / understand / do all activities posted for that day, even if it's not an "assignment".  

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Day 1: Props Masters / Stage Managers

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1.) Chose:  Students chose an area (from the IB Learner Profile) to individually focus on this week.  (If Absent, be sure to choose your individual "focus" for the week, and write it down under Week 9 in your REFLECTION JOURNAL in Google Classroom.  (Also be sure you answered the "End of the Week" question for LAST week.)

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2.) Introduc​ed this week's CLASS focus:  Problem Solving

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3.)  Started new unit:  WHAT'S BACK THERE? 

• If you went backstage during a production, what might you see?  What types of people would you see doing what types of jobs? 

  • running/deck crew helping to "power" all the scene changes and "magic" that happens during a show;

  • props hand-offs and preparation;

  • the "coordination" of entire crews following a stage manager's cues

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4.) Watched a video (Props with Austin - Phantom of the Opera) and discussed all the tasks and skills of a props master that were highlighted in the video.  (Also, what all is considered a prop on stage?)   (If absent, be sure to watch on your own.)  Note:  Austin is a former student of Ms. Price!  :) 

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5.) Discussed: WHO is in charge of acquiring or making all the props & set pieces for a show? (Props Master)

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6.) Discussed:  If you had to gather or make props for a show, what is the FIRST thing you'd probably need to do?  (Read the script)

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7.) Discussed:  If you had to gather or make props for a show, what is the SECOND thing you'd probably need to do?  (Research - research the time period, style, how the props need to be used, etc.) 

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8.) Discussed the props needed for our current fall play, and the director's vision for the play.

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9.) Learned about Props Tables.din theatre:  why/how they are used, organized, and maintained.

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10.)  Discussed Stage Managers and what students think they do.

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11.)  Learned about  and discussed the role of a Stage Manager.  Watched a video (Working in Theatre: Stage Manager) and responded in Google Classroom REFLECTION Journal about 3 things you learned about what Stage Managers DO from this video.  (If absent, be sure to complete this on your own.)

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12.) Learned about:  ​

• "Spiking" a set:  putting down spike tape that outlines the set or furniture that will be on stage during a production (so actors can rehearse with the "real" outline of the set)

• Groundplan:  A scaled drawing of the set as seen from above 

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13.) Students were split into groups for this week's projects:

Project #1:  Spike the Fall Play rehearsal space (led by John

• Use the fall play groundplan to spike the set in the black box (rehearsal space) in order to learn about...

  • use of spike tape​

  • groundplans

  • working in scale (from groundplan to reality)

Project #2:  Props Table (led by Sam & KP)

• Create a PROPS TABLE from a teacher-assigned props list, in order to learn about...

  • props room

  • how to gather props

  • how to organize props in show order

  • how to make an original prop (problem-solving)

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Days 2-3: Props (KP absent - See Oct 17-18 sub plans in Google classroom) 

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13.) Students continued for this week's projects:

Project #1:  Spike the Fall Play rehearsal space (led by John

• Use the fall play groundplan to spike the set in the black box (rehearsal space) in order to learn about...

  • use of spike tape​

  • groundplans

  • working in scale (from groundplan to reality)

Project #2:  Props Table (led by Sam & KP)

• Create a props table from a teacher-assigned props list, in order to learn about...

  • props room

  • how to gather props

  • how to organize props in show order

  • how to make an original prop (problem-solving)

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2.) Received Props Table "Tips"  (if absent be sure to read)

• Be sure it's ORDERLY​

  • Arrange props in show order (in a show you'd may also have SL & SR tables)

  • Put very bulky/large items under the table (such as suitcases, if there is not enough space)

  • if using paper over the tables (instead of spike tape on the tables), be sure to tape down the paper edges

  • Be sure to maximize space (keep things compact, and don't leave any large blank spaces)

• Be sure it's VISIBLE to actors

  • install back stage blue lights​

  • put taller items at the back of the table so they don't block view

• Be sure it's SAFE

  • put breakable items near the back so an actor reaching for a prop doesn't knock over​

  • don't lean items that could fall

  • others? (discussed)

  • prop weapons? (discussed)

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Days 4:  (Fall Play Retreat Departure prep)

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Explore More (Optional):

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Additional Videos on Stage Management:

• Working in Theatre: Stage Manager

• SM's: What do they do?

• Wicked Stage Management

• Stage Management from Beginning to End

• Spiking a Set in a Rehearsal Space

• How Stage Managers Prepare/Call a Script

 

Additional Videos on Props:  

• Role of Prop Director

• Role of Prop Manager

• Prop Making

• Props in Hamilton (Role of Props Master)

• Why Props Matter (Props in Film)

• Props Design & Fabrication

• Designing/Creating Specialty Props

• Soft Props

• Paper Props for Movies/TV

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Videos on Special Effects on Stage: 

• Special Effects in Wicked

• Making it Rain in Theatre (3:35)

• Working in Theatre: Magic (23:11)

• How Beetlejuice on Broadway Creates Jaw-Dropping Magic (4:19)

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