I recently came upon the 1903-1904 academic catalog for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. At that time, it was a two-year program for young men aged sixteen to seventeen. The school still exists, granting two-year associates degrees to aspiring actors.
All students at the time were given introductory lectures in the various technical departments on stage. The lecture on props has a bullet-point list of all the topic covered, which I have reprinted below. It is fascinating to see the list of what a props person was responsible for and what skills they were required to have from over 110 years ago, and compare it to today.
The lectures were given by a Mr. Wilfred Buckland, with assistance by Mr. Edgar J. M. Hart (no relation) and Miss Louise Musson. The topics of the lectures are as follows:
The Property Man’s Work in Preparing a Production:
- The property plot
- cabinet work
- paper work
- upholstery, furniture, bric-Ã -brac, carpets, rugs, hangings
- stage props
- side props
- hand props
- written letters
- inserts in newspapers
The Property Man’s Work at Performance:
- Helpers and clearers
- system
- the property room
- laying the floor cloth
- setting the stage
- marking
- dressing a scene
- hanging curtains
- hanging side props
- effects
- apparatuses
- flash pans
- rain box
- thunder box
- thunder crash
- glass crash
- carriage roll
- knocks
- snow box
- salt
- fuller’s earth
- blowers
- leaves, stumps, and grass mats
- animals
- the rosin box
- eatables
Striking Properties:
- Clearing
- handling furniture
- care of props
You can read the whole 1903 Annual Catalog of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts here.
