Props Design - Acting Thesis

Prior to starting work on any Columbia Theatre production, please make sure to read and understand the duties and stipulations for general design work at Columbia and the specific design area as detailed below.

General Information for All Design Disciplines

• The Theatre Program will only be responsible for department-approved designs that are received by their designated deadlines.
• Columbia property may not be altered without express permission.
• It is the responsibility of each designer to keep and fill out a comprehensive list of their items, categorizing everything by owner and location origin.
• There are no deliveries of purchased goods available on the weekends.
• All items purchased by the production budget are the property of Columbia University after the production.
• NYU designers need faculty permission from NYU to participate in Columbia SOA thesis productions.
• If a designer is going to be remote for all or most of the design process, their participation in the production must be approved by the relevant production staff to ensure that the designer’s in-person duties are adequately covered by a member of the production team. It is strongly recommended that designers be able to attend in-person rehearsals and meetings.
• A written and signed agreement indemnifying Columbia of liability must be provided for any items loaned to the production or borrowed for the production from sources outside Columbia.  This form is provided by the Production Manager.

Props Designer Responsibilities

1. Present at all Columbia Production Meetings
2. Select a Props Cut Off date with the Director, prior to the technical rehearsal process starting.
3. Determine and clarify who is responsible for set dressings, furniture, and costume props.
4. Work directly with the Scenic Designer to design and source props
5. Source and obtain rehearsal props/furniture prior to, and during, the rehearsal process.
6. Prior to the first day of tech, sourcing and obtaining all props/furniture for the production within the approved budget.
7. If needed, building any necessary props in the shop in coordination with the Technical Director.
8. It is the responsibility of each designer to keep and fill out a comprehensive list of their items – categorizing everything by owner and location origin.
9. Present for the entirety of tech and dress. If not available there must be a creative team member present to represent props.
10. Coordination with Production Stage Manager and Director on props designer schedule during the rest of tech. If not present, and a repair/change occurs, set up a plan for this work to be accomplished.
11. If any items were borrowed or rented, present at strike to coordinate the return of items to the appropriate location(s).

Process/Resources

1. The drafted seating arrangement is the only approved seating for the 2026-27 school year (see Lenfest Center for the Arts Google Drive for drawings).
2. For online orders (always preferred), send links with description of quantity, color, size, delivery preference, etc. directly to the Production Manager.
3. A small amount of petty cash can be fronted for prop purchases through the Producer - Please see purchasing rules below.
4. If a prop needs to be built, tools and space can be provided for this upon coordination with and approval by the Technical Director.
5. If there is a complicated prop build, the shop may be able to assist in this. Please be sure to get it approved and submit formal drawings by the given due date.
6. If a prop needs to be painted, repaired, or altered, the shop can also help with repairs or painting, if approved.

General Notes

1. The Theatre Program will only be responsible for department-approved designs that are received by their designated deadlines.
2. Columbia property may not be altered without express permission.
3. There are no deliveries of purchased goods available on the weekends.
4. All items purchased by the production budget are the property of Columbia University after the production.

Prop Design Stipulations

1. Each production must have a designated Props Designer, unless express permission is given.
2. Student Stage Managers, Producers, and/or Directors may not act as Props Designer, unless express permission is given by the head of their respective concentration.
3. All scenic/prop elements must be flame proofed. Items built in the shop will be flame proofed by the shop and covered by the production’s material budget.
4. No flame, running water, sand, fake snow, dirt, or other small particles (venue & NYC law restrictions)
5. The use of carbon dioxide and/or liquid nitrogen (dry ice) is prohibited in accordance with requirements as set by the NYFD.
6. No spray painting in the Lenfest building. We have a spray booth in the scene shop in Nash.
7. NYC law prohibits the use of any prop firearms that are not licensed. Columbia rents licensed prop firearms through https://www.thespecialistsltd.com/. There are costs associated with this rental (often significant costs). If using any weapons on stage, please review Columbia University’s Weapon Policy.
8. The structural build of your design is at the purview of the Technical Director.  Where there is conflict over structural integrity and aesthetics, the structural integrity will take precedence.  The Technical Director will confer with the designer if such a conflict arises so that the design may be amended to ensure structural and design integrity.

Fire Safety

1. Exit signs may not be covered. Additional Exit Signs may be added for sight line issues, pending Technical Director approval.
2. There must be 42” egress to fire exit doors at all times during the production. No scenery, lighting instrument, person, chair, or curtain may obstruct the exit.
3. All scenic elements must be flame proofed. Items built in the shop will be flame proofed by the shop and covered by the production’s material budget.

Purchasing

1. As much as possible, please allow Production Management to make purchases on your behalf. It is faster and significantly less complicated than requesting reimbursements.
2. Due to restrictions put in place by the university, the Production Staff may not order from the following sites: Ebay and Alibaba.
3. If making a purchase via Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or another marketplace where you are directly paying a person rather than a company, please both save a screenshot of the original online listing and ask the person selling you the item to sign a simple receipt confirming the item, price, and date purchased.
4. Please see the Making Purchases section for more information.

Recommended Props Resources

Materials for the Arts
https://www.nyc.gov/content/mfta/pages/

• Recipients may visit the MFTA warehouse for supplies by appointment only. Appointments availability varies but is generally during the following times:
  Tuesdays 10 am to 1 pm (Warehouse closes at 2:00 pm)
  Thursdays 1:00 pm to 3:45 pm (Warehouse closes at 4:45 pm)
• You may make an appointment to visit MFTA through the Director of Production or Production Manager. Please email the names of the shoppers (maximum of three are allowed) and the contact information of the lead shopper to production management.
• All Items procured at Materials for the Arts are owned by Columbia, not the production or any of its members.

State Supply
http://www.statesupplyprops.com/

• Local rental house with easy pick-up/drop-off

Production Resource Center- Columbia’s Prop, Furniture, & Costume storage

• Located at 3280 Broadway, 5th floor. ID required for entry to building.
• Detailed information, including making appointments and accessing Production Resources can be found on the Production Resources, Stock Items, and Inventories section.
• All appointments must be made with 48 hours advance through PR’s Google Calendar Appointment app.
• Unless specially requested, appointments are for one-hour blocks only.
• If a student is late for their appointment, they will forfeit the time lost. There are no overlapping appointments.
• Students are responsible for storing their production items according to Production Management instructions.
• Students are responsible for coordinating the transportation of their items following Production Management and PR instructions for transportation.
• A truck runs between Nash, Lenfest, and Schapiro regularly throughout the semester, usually on Monday mornings.
• To check the upcoming truck schedule and request that items be transported, please fill out the truck manifest request form before the corresponding deadline.
• The form to request trucking services can be found here: Trucking Form.
• Glassware, dishes, utensils, etc, must be washed and sanitized.
• All items should be returned in the condition they are checked out in.
• Students may only check out items for Columbia University Theatre projects.