Staged Violence and Weapons - New Plays Festival

Columbia University encourages its students’ creative endeavors and strives to make sure its students are performing in an environment as free from risk as possible while creating performance-based work. 

Adjunct Professor Jacqueline Holloway serves as the staged violence advisor for New Plays Festival productions. She can assist the creative team in defining how choreography will be approached in the production and deciding if the choreography in the piece would benefit from or require hiring a specific fight director or choreographer. (Please note that Jacqueline's schedule does not permit her to serve as the fight director in the rehearsal room, if one is needed.)

No document can cover every circumstance, since fight choreography is developed for a particular production and is unique to its specific needs. This policy seeks to outline issues common to the vast majority of theatrical combat and/or “threat”-based scenarios that use prop weaponry, as well as to provide you with resources to obtain, use, and care for prop weaponry. Remember the common-sense adage: “when in doubt, ask.”

You may not use prop weaponry without department approval. To obtain approval to use your proposed prop weapon, you must follow the steps below. To receive approval, a representative from your organization (production manager, director, stage manager, or prop master) must read, agree to, and abide by the following document, and sign the last page of this document. You must review your plans with your Production Manager and you must review and submit all forms and supporting documents. Please note this process is only for rehearsals and performances occurring in a Columbia University facility only. Included in this document are:

1) Process for Notification/Approval – Step-by-Step Safety Guide to Using Prop Weapons
2) Prop Weapons: Guidelines for Proper Care and Use & Emergency Procedure
3) Safety Common Sense

You should complete the notification and approval process at least two (2) weeks in advance of the date of the first use of the prop weaponry in rehearsal. If the prop weaponry needs to be rented, please allow additional time for the rental process.

1. Discuss the interest in utilizing a prop weapon with the Production Manager at the first production meeting, or earlier.

2. Review the Safety Guide to Using Prop Weapons (below) with every member of the cast, crew and with faculty advisor(s).

3. Supply the following information.

  • Name of Production
  • Event, Title, Schedule of Rehearsals and Performances. Detail confirmed location(s), dates, times and schedules.
  • Student Contact Responsible for the Prop Weapon – Provide the name, Columbia UNI cell phone and email address of the student responsible for the prop weapon. This may be the prop designer, director, stage manager, etc.
  • Description of Prop Weapon and Prop Weapon Usage – clearly describe the physical appearance of the prop weapon (provide a picture or URL for a visual), how it is being utilized in the scene/production/event, and how it is being transported and stored when not in use.
  • Crew/Cast Lists – provide a full list of crew and cast members involved with the scene/production/event utilizing the prop weapon, along with Columbia UNIs.
  • Written confirmation from the student contact that they have reviewed the Safety Guide to Using Prop Weapons.


4. Submit your materials in to Production Management via the Gun & Weapon Release Form, prior to use on rehearsal. 

5. The department has authority to approve or disapprove use of prop weaponry. If approved, Production Management will visually inspect the prop weapon to determine that it is considered a prop weapon and will confirm your understanding and acknowledgement of receipt and review of the Safety Guide to Using Prop Weapons.

7. Should the vision/intended use/plans of the prop weapon change, the initial proposal and approval is revoked and the production will need to begin the process from the start. No exceptions can be made to this.

Real Weapons


Real weapons are weapons manufactured with the intent and ability to harm another person. Real weapons include but are not limited to actual guns (pistols, rifles, flintlocks, etc.), sharp knives, martial arts weapons, daggers, swords, and bows and arrows. Real weapons are not allowed in any Columbia University building nor are they permitted in any Columbia off-campus activity.

Disabled guns, defined as guns initially manufactured to fire ANY type of projectile that have been modified to an inoperable state, are not allowed in any Columbia University building nor are they permitted in any Columbia University off-campus activity.

Do not use a sharp blade for any sort of fight scene or struggle. Do not take it upon yourself to dull a sharpened blade. Dulling a sharp weapon can lessen its tensile strength and can cause the blade to shatter. 

Live ammunition, blank firing cartridges and loads, paintball or airsoft pellets, or anything else designed to be capable of being fired is not allowed in any Columbia University building nor are they permitted in any Columbia University off-campus activity.

Prop Weapons


A Prop weapon is a weapon manufactured to give the illusion of authenticity without the actual ability to harm anyone in the intended perceived fashion. PROP WEAPONS SHOULD ALWAYS BE TREATED AS REAL WEAPONS, AS THEY MAY STILL BE CAPABLE OF CAUSING INJURY.

Stage weapons include but are not limited to guns, knives, swords, spears, bows, arrows, crossbows and clubs. It is also important to recognize that everyday objects which may include but are not limited to, pencils, lamps, rolling pins, etc. may also become weapons when staging combat scenes, and the protocols regarding weapon safety must still be employed.

Prop weapons can cause unsafe situations and harm if they are not used and cared for correctly. Please use the
guidelines below to ensure the safety of all project participants.

Your Production Manager must physically inspect the actual weapon in its performance-ready state. 

Prop Firearms

NYC law prohibits the use of any prop firearms that are not licensed. This includes, but is not limited to, cap guns, paintball guns, non-working replica firearms, airsoft guns, rubber firearms, and any other props painted or designed to appear like a realistic firearm (wood, painted nerf guns, etc.). The Columbia Theatre Program rents licensed prop firearms through https://www.thespecialistsltd.com/. These rentals must go through Production Management.

Live ammunition, blank firing cartridges and loads, paintball or airsoft pellets, or anything else designed to be capable of being fired is not allowed in any Columbia University building nor are they permitted in any Columbia University off-campus activity. Cap guns not allowed in any Columbia University building.

Disabled guns, defined as guns initially manufactured to fire ANY type of projectile that have been modified to an inoperable state, are not allowed in any Columbia University building nor are they permitted in any Columbia University off-campus activity.

General

1. Treat all prop weapons as real weapons. Handle all prop guns as if loaded (even if it is a wooden cut-out). Treat all prop knives as sharp. Be especially conscious of the point on bladed weapons, as they can still cause penetrative injury even though they’re dull. Prop weapons can cause severe harm or worse and should be treated with respect.

2. You should designate a responsible member of your production team, preferably a Stage Manager or Fight Choreographer, as the person in charge for ensuring proper safety practices with the prop.

3. Find a secure place to lock your prop when not in use inside and outside of rehearsals. The specific location will be provided to you by Production Management.

4. When transporting your prop weapon make sure it is not exposed. If possible, keep it inside of a lock box inside of a bag during transport. Production Management will provide specific instructions for the specific weapon(s).

5. It is crucial that your prop is cared for and maintained. Always inspect weaponry before and after every rehearsal and performance. Perform regular cleaning and maintenance on the props as recommended by the supplier. Do not use a damaged prop.


Rehearsal and Performance


Do not attempt to work beyond your capabilities – pushing artistic boundaries is what school is about, as this should be a safe place to experiment, fail and grow. However, do not let that attitude prevail over proper safety measures – make your production, LITERALLY a "safe place to fail"! If you don't know how to make an illusion safe, seek out appropriate help, which could include hiring a professional fight director or stunt coordinator; working with personnel who have training and experience; and/or finding a creative solution to the story-telling needs that doesn’t include a prop weapon ... perhaps something that isn't realistic would not only make the moment safer, but might have more of an emotional impact on the audience as well.

1. At the start of rehearsal, you must hold a safety meeting where all individuals involved in the production are informed that there will be a prop weapon in use, which individuals will be handling it, and how it will be used. At the beginning of the rehearsal in which the scene(s) will be rehearsed where the prop is used, you must hold another safety meeting should occur where all members are informed that there will be a prop weapon in use, which individuals will be handling it and how it will be used in the scene. If the plan changes, you must hold another safety meeting to update the cast and crew.

2. If a prop weapon in your performance is used in a threatening or combative manner, a fight choreographer with an SAFD certification must be assigned. A fight call must take place before every performance with all cast and crew involved in the scene.

3. When a prop weapon is not in use keep it securely and safely locked away at all times.

4. When the prop weapon is needed, the person designated as the responsible party must hand the weapon to the actor. When the stage action with the prop is complete, the actor must immediately return the prop weapon to the responsible party and secure it until it is needed again. The prop must not be preset on a prop table or left on a prop table after use. It must either be worn by a responsible party or promptly locked up.

5. While the prop weapon is in use, the user should never point the prop weapon at anyone or themselves. While staging never aim a weapon directly at the face, head, or body of a performer or directly at audience members.

6. Always aim off line, either up – or downstage of the victim.

7. Beware of disarms; when dropping a prop from a large height or from repetitive drops the prop can become damaged. Do not let the disarmed weapon become a trip-hazard later in the fight. Do not let a disarmed weapon slide towards the audience.

8. Never leave a prop weapon unattended, including on prop tables.

9. At no time should there ever be any horseplay with a prop weapon.

Despite careful preparation and steps to minimize risks as much as possible, accidents may still occur.

In the event of an emergency:
Call the Columbia University emergency line:
When calling from a cell phone while on campus: 212-854-5555
When calling from a campus phone: 4-5555.
Call 911 when calling from an off campus location.

Be prepared to give the following information:

  • Location of the emergency – give clear directions, street address, building, and room.
  • Type and severity of the emergency:
    Fire – type and size of fire.
    Medical – type of illness or injury, cause, number of victims.
    Police/crime – type of crime, description of suspects and their direction of travel.
    Chemical/hazardous materials – quantity and type of substances involved, hazards and injuries.
  • When the incident occurred.
  • Your name, location you’re calling from, and phone number.
  • Call from a safe location, if possible. Remain calm. Speak slowly and clearly. Do not hang up the phone until the dispatcher tells you to.

The first rule of safety: when in doubt, ask. Understand what makes a rehearsal or performance safe and do your best to act in a professional manner.

Safety begins long before your rehearsal or performance. It is the responsibility of each member of your team to educate themselves and one another about safety and to arrive to rehearsals and performances on time, well rested and healthy.

Accidents are caused by negligence, lack of awareness, and lack of foresight. It is important to stay alert, understand the potential dangers, and be able to recognize the safety hazards in advance.

Follow your instincts. If it feels unsafe, it probably is. And if you think something is unsafe or someone is acting in an unsafe manner, say something. By calling attention to the safety hazard, it gives your Stage Managers, Director, crew members and fellow actors a chance to reevaluate the situation.

Safety must be your first concern, making a great piece of theatre is second. Everyone wants the show to be great, but it is never worth risking the injury or death of anyone involved. Take care of one another.