Education

First use of “Property” in the theatrical sense

By Eric Hart | Published: October 19, 2009

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the use of the word “property” in the theatrical sense first appeared around 1425 A.D.  In the prologue to the play, The Castle of Perseverance, the second flag-bearer announces to the audience: Grace, if God wyl graunte us, of hys mykyl myth, þese parcellis in propyrtes we purpose us [...]

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Precision and Cut lists

By Eric Hart | Published: September 25, 2009

Whenever I take on a carpentry project, or a similarly precise prop, I try to get my drawings and plan as precise as possible. For the first pieces I measure and cut, I try and be accurate down to the 32nd of an inch. By the time you get to the end of a project, [...]

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Changes aHead

By Eric Hart | Published: August 21, 2009

The Bacchae opens this Monday in Central Park. For those of you who follow this blog, you’ve seen some of the cool work we’ve been doing in the prop shop for this show. Let me say, it wasn’t easy. I’ve arranged a small series of the various states and stages the head of Pentheus went [...]

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Feeling Creative and Design Patterns in props

By Eric Hart | Published: August 14, 2009

I focus a lot on the “building” and “making” of props on this blog; it’s time for a bit of information about the organizational and motivational part of the job. 43 Folders is a website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work. It’s great if you’re a prop master trying [...]

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I’ll take “Swords” for $100

By Eric Hart | Published: July 22, 2009

Let’s face it. Swords are cool. Luckily for props people, swords pop up all the time on prop lists. I learned some basic swordmaking techniques from Tom Fiocchi while at Ohio University. Usually, when I’m asked to make a sword, it’s a decorative or trick sword with a very show-specific look. If it’s for stage [...]

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  • About

    Eric Hart

    I am Eric Hart, former assistant props master at the Public Theater in New York City, and a longtime prop maker.

    This site is a way to share my work and the things I've learned over the years. It's also a way to connect with other prop makers, props masters, and artisans, as well as a collection of all things of interest to props people from around the internet.

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