Prop Designer
At a Glance
- You source, build, and manage every prop. From hero objects to consumables.
- Your closest partners: Director (vision), Set Designer (set dressing handoff), Stage Manager (prop tracking and prop table), Costume Designer (handheld accessories that double as costume pieces).
- Key deliverables: prop list, sourcing plan, prop tracking sheet, rehearsal substitutes, prop table layout.
- Where you live in the process: Pre-Production and Rehearsals heaviest (sourcing and rehearsal subs); on call through Tech and into performances for repairs and replacements.
- Phase responsibilities at the bottom: see By Phase.
Position Overview
The Prop Designer is responsible for sourcing, building, and managing all props used in the production. Working in close collaboration with the Director and the full design team, the Prop Designer ensures that every prop serves the story — reflecting the period, setting, and emotional world of the show — while remaining safe, functional, and ready for use by the performers. This role requires both creative judgment and strong organizational skills to manage a production-wide prop inventory across the full timeline.
Reports to: Production Manager Collaborates closely with: Director, Stage Manager, and full design team
Ongoing Knowledge and Oversight
- Know the theatrical space — its stage dimensions, storage areas, and prop table logistics.
- Maintain regular communication with the Stage Manager, Director, and other production positions.
- Stay current on the budget, timelines, and production expectations.
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of all other production positions.
Qualifications
Essential Qualifications
- Strong creative judgment with the ability to source or build props that serve character and story.
- Excellent organizational skills to manage a full prop inventory across the production timeline.
- Ability to work within a defined budget and meet construction or sourcing deadlines.
- Excellent collaboration skills and ability to work within a defined creative framework.
- Ability to work effectively with young artists while maintaining high production standards.
Preferred Qualifications
- Background in prop design, scenic art, woodworking, or a related craft field.
- Understanding of historical accuracy and period-specific design requirements.
- Experience managing prop departments in community or professional theatre.
- Familiarity with prop table organization and backstage logistics.
Working Conditions
- Work primarily during evenings and weekends to accommodate young artists’ schedules.
- Collaborative environment requiring close coordination with the full design and production team.
- Physical requirements include building, transporting, and installing props; extended standing during tech.
- Fast-paced during technical rehearsals, requiring adaptability and quick problem-solving.
Success Measures
- Props that serve the director’s vision and support clear visual and physical storytelling.
- All props built, sourced, and organized before the add-props deadline.
- Smooth integration of props during tech rehearsals with minimal issues.
- Effective, professional collaboration with the Director, Stage Manager, and design team.
- Safe, well-maintained, and consistently organized props throughout the production run.
By Phase
Inception
Welcome to the Encore fam! Be sure to complete your onboarding items below — we look forward to building an incredible show that builds life skills through stage skills for young artists.
Onboarding
- Complete child safety training.
- Submit background check.
- Submit W-9.
- Sign and return contract.
- Complete onboarding process.
Initial Production Work
- Begin reviewing the script for prop scope and any unusual props that will need lead time.
- Attend the onboarding meeting with the full production team.
See 1 - Inception for the phase overview.
Pre-Production
- Obtain a script and develop thorough knowledge of the prop needs and any specialized physical demands — in collaboration with the Director.
- Participate in all production meetings.
- Obtain the production schedule and timeline from Stage Management or Production Manager.
- Map your schedule against the full production calendar, including rehearsals, tech week, key design milestones, the add-props deadline, designer run, dry tech, and opening night.
- Obtain the contact list and maintain communication with Stage Management, the Director, and fellow designers.
- Be prepared to present the prop design to the creative team and ultimately the cast and crew.
Casting
- Light involvement.
See 3 - Casting for the phase overview.
Rehearsals
- Engage in and respect a harmonious, collaborative working environment.
- Present the prop design to the cast (typically in the first week of rehearsal).
- Check and respond to the daily rehearsal report as needed.
- Continue attending production meetings and maintain ongoing communication with the production team.
Designer Run. The tech process begins at the designer run. Come in with a fully realized understanding of the prop design — how each piece works both from a storytelling perspective and in practical execution. This is your opportunity to identify and resolve issues before moving into the performance space.
The designer run should inspire greater specificity in the design and function of each prop. It should always be followed by a production meeting where questions and discrepancies can be addressed.
See 4 - Rehearsals for the phase overview.
Pre-Tech
Pre-Tech is when all design elements should be installed and ready so Tech can integrate rather than build. See 5 - Pre-Tech for the full process and timeline.
- Props should be built, sourced, and ready to be installed.
- Any moving or complicated pieces should be tested and optimized.
- Basic build and design details should be finished.
- Communicate any delayed props to the Director and Stage Manager.
Dry Tech
Dry Tech runs the design team through cues with no actors or costumes yet — set moves, lights, sound, sets coordinating. See 5 - Pre-Tech for the full Dry Tech process.
- Set up prop tables.
- Label prop locations.
See 5 - Pre-Tech for the phase overview.
Technical Rehearsals
The Prop Designer is responsible for ensuring all props are safe, functional, and serving the storytelling throughout tech.
- Install props into the theater.
- Create a prop table with a designated place for each prop, in collaboration with Stage Management.
- Ensure any moving or complicated elements are working as designed.
- Demonstrate how complicated or unfamiliar props work to the cast and crew.
- Take notes on adjustments and implement fixes promptly.
- Attend post-tech production meetings at the Stage Manager’s discretion. Assume a meeting will occur after actors are released unless told otherwise.
- Continue close collaboration with the Director and Stage Manager.
- Track props during tech.
- Make repairs as needed.
- Attend production meetings.
See 6 - Technical Rehearsals for the phase overview.
Performance
The Prop Designer’s primary work is complete once the production opens.
- Maintain all props — both aesthetically and functionally — for the duration of the run.
- Repair or replace props as needed throughout the run.
See 7 - Performance for the phase overview.
Post-Production
- Supervise strike of prop elements; return rentals and consumables.
- Archive design materials and submit final reports/budgets.
See 8 - Post-Production for the phase overview.
Related
Status: Working · Portal: Team · Last reviewed: 2026-05-11 · Owner: Rhett