Handprops

A handprop is anything the actor uses on stage that is not attached, therefore a handprop can be virtually anything. In order to narrow the spectrum down, here are some general guidelines to follow when making a handprop.

• Make sure it is lightweight.
• If it is too heavy the actor may have to concentrate more on the object than the scene they are in. We also do not want to hurt the actor if they have to strain to pick up or carry something.
• Make sure there are no hidden sharp edges, screws, nails, or other things that might scratch, cut, or poke the actor.
• As much as possible, try to make the object is as believable as possible.
• It will possibly destroy a scene for the audience if they do not believe what the actor is holding or it does not fit the scene.
• ie. An actor is suppose to have a large sack of grain. If the grain bag stuffing does not move like grain the audience will not believe he actually has grain in there. Alternatives to heavy grain could be broken pasta shells or pieces of cork.
• Another scenario is if a play is set in the 1950s and the actor uses a telephone from the 1980s. As handprop constructors we need to make sure we are being period accurate.
• Make sure the handprop is user friendly.
• The last thing an actor wants when they are in front of an audience is for the handprop to malfunction or be hard to use.
• ie. If you have a chest an actor is suppose to open make sure they don't have to stand on one foot and hold their breath in order to open it. It needs to be a simple lock and place latch they can rely on 2 or 3 times a day.
• You may also have to modify a prop. Going back to the telephone scene, if the receiver needs to be knocked off the hook during a scene, you may need to modify the phone to ensure this happens everytime.
• Always be in constant communication with the artistic creators, ie the director, writer, costuming, etc. You want to be on the same page as everyone else to make sure the overall function and look of the show is achieved.