Props

Where dreams become reality

The Props department is where the ideas, wishes and dreams of designers and directors become reality. The props managers act as sounding boards and turn ideas into reality.

Liza Kollau

From idea to prop

The props for our operas and ballets are either made by the artistic teams in the Props Department workroom or purchased externally. The latter is often the case for food and drink that is to be used on stage – which is usually real.

From animals and utensils to nutcrackers and bodies: you name it, they make it. This is how the corpse of the main character in Tosca was created, after she leapt to her death from battlements of Castel Sant’Angelo:

Prop Tosca

“The arms are from a mannequin, the head was lying around somewhere, and the rest of the body is based on polystyrenes”

Robert-Jan Ruijl - props manager

Props Managers

The aim of a props manager is to translate the ideas of artistic teams into stage props in the most effective and efficient way possible.

Props Managers

Materials

Every possible material and technique is used in the creation of props, including wood, metal, plastics, paint and textiles.

Environmental responsibility

Re-use is important and environmentally responsible choices are made wherever possible.

On stage

The props managers work not only in the workroom but also on stage during rehearsals and performances. They are responsible for pre-setting props and for assembling, disassembling and changing them during performances.

Special effects

The Props department is also responsible for coming up with and providing special effects such as fire, water, smoke, and movement effects. Pyrotechnics - including the use of fireworks and other rapid combustion devices – require a permit

Photo: special effects Der Ring des Nibelungen