Overview 

 

This standard is about ensuring the availability and maintaining the condition of props required for a theatre or live production, including rehearsals and performances.

It covers the full range of props including consumable, personal and action props.

 

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. evaluate the condition of each prop to allow maintenance to be carried out by the required time
  2. gather information to evaluate whether props are in performance condition
  3. carry out maintenance actions to ensure that props are in the required condition when needed
  4. decide on the actions to be taken to deal with damaged and worn props in line with budget and production requirements
  5. maintain prop quantities and supplies at required levels
  6. take precautions to prevent damage to props
  7. keep others involved in the maintenance of props informed of the actions and standards required of them
  8. report problems in maintaining the condition of props and take actions to ensure the performance can continue
  9. prepare and store consumable props in line with production requirements
  10. prepare props which are destroyed during the performance to meet the required design specifications
  11. take account of performer's preferences to achieve the intended effect where possible
  12. check and confirm the setting and handover of props to performers meets agreed specifications
  13. monitor the use of props during the performance and take action in the event of an emergency

 

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. how to use and interpret scripts, rehearsal notes and show reports to assess the potential for wear and tear on the props used in a production
  2. how to extract information about the need to monitor the condition of props from observation of rehearsals and performances
  3. the range of props required for the production, and the nature, frequency and duration of use of each one
  4. the importance of monitoring of the condition of props and how to establish procedures to ensure that this happens
  5. the potential for damage to props and the implications of this
  6. the importance of assessing damage and wear to props
  7. organisational policy for the repair and replacement of props
  8. the implications of legislation, regulations and production requirements for the handling and storage of props
  9. safe lifting techniques and how to apply these
  10. regulations in relation to the preparation and storage of consumables
  11. the quantities of props required for the production, and the nature, frequency and duration of use of each one
  12. the basic construction and properties of props used in the production and how these affect the planning of maintenance and repair activities
  13. how to assess and plan the time required for maintenance and repair of props
  14. the range of suppliers and the cost implications of using different sources of supply
  15. the budget available for the maintenance of props and the limits of your own authority to agree expenditure
  16. the people who must be informed of problems in maintaining the condition of props and the organisational procedures for doing this
  17. the rehearsal and performance schedules and the implications of these for the preparation and supply of props
  18. emergencies that might occur during a performance and the actions to take in response to these