Tag Archives: Society of Properties Artisan Managers

New Prop Links for the Summer

The Society of Properties Artisan Managers Offers Some Advice – Recently, S*P*A*M solicited advice from its members, which include hundreds of prop masters in most of the major US theaters. They narrowed the list down to 32 nuggets of advice for every new prop artisan.

Interview — DISCOVERY Prop Master Mario Moreira on the Red Angel Suit, Section 31 Phasers, and More – The newest iteration of Star Trek continues the tradition of having cool props. Take a peek into the workshop of Mario Moreira to see how all the custom sci-fi gadgets get made.

‘The Big Bang Theory’ Prop Master and Set Decorator Look Back on the Show’s 12 Seasons – Whether you enjoyed the show or not, a twelve-year run means lots of props and tons of detail in the set dressing. Find out about some of the behind-the-scenes secrets from prop master Scott London and set decorator Ann Shea.

How Gary Does the DicksTaylor Mac’s highly irreverent  Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus, now running on Broadway, needed dicks. A lot of them. The show features dozens of mannequins playing the part of dead Romans, and at various points, they come to life and dance with their members. Learn how specialty prop designer Craig Grigg brought them to life with animatronics.

Avengers: Endgame Film Décor – Check out these photos and descriptions of the miriad sets from this decade’s biggest film. Set Decorator Leslie Pope discusses what went into creating some of the major locations in this film, many of which had to match or reference previous locations in this sprawling 22 film franchise.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Last week I attended the 25th conference for the Society of Properties Artisan Managers. It was hosted by a number of Chicago theaters this year, so I got to tour some of their spaces. First up is the facilities at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, located on the Navy Pier.

Cassandra gives us a tour
Cassandra gives us a tour

Continue reading Chicago Shakespeare Theater

2018 SPAM Grant Winners

The Society of Properties Artisan Managers is proud to announce the recipients of their fourth annual Edie Whitsett and Jen Trieloff Memorial Grants.

Congratulations to Danielle Wermedal, winner of the Jenn Trieloff Grant, and Kayla Carroll, winner of the Edie Whitsett Grant.

These grants are awarded to individuals wanting financial assistance with transportation, housing or other necessities during an internship in theatrical properties. You can find out more about these grants and other resources at the S*P*A*M website. You can also “like” their Facebook page to stay up to date with news and announcements.

2018 Edie Whitsett Grant recipient: Kayla Carroll

Kayla Carroll
Kayla Carroll

Kayla Carroll is a graduate of the University of Indianapolis where she received her Bachelor of Science in Theatrical Production and Design. During her time at the University she worked as Properties Designer for a total of ten productions including Eurydice, Urinetown, Out of Order, and Frankenstein. Her designs for King Lear and Move Over Mrs. Markham! each received a Certificate of Merit from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Before graduating she was able to complete an internship in the properties department of the Indiana Repertory Theatre where she worked with S*P*A*M member Geoffrey Ehrendreich. This July she will be joining the Professional Training Company at the Actors Theatre of Louisville where she will be an apprentice under S*P*A*M member Mark Walston. You can find her resume and examples of her work at https://kladcarroll.wixsite.com/kladdesigns.

2018 Jen Trieloff Grant recipient: Danielle Wermedal

Danielle Wermedal
Danielle Wermedal

Dani Wermedal is a proud alumna of State University Theatre, Prairie Repertory Theatre, and a graduate of South Dakota State University with a BS in Theatre. While with SUT and PRT she prop mastered shows such as Monty Python’s Spamalot, Shrek the Musical, and A Year with Frog and Toad. She is from Volga, SD, and is currently preparing to move cross country in August to be Hartford Stage’s next Properties Apprentice for the 2018-2019 season under the guidance of S*P*A*M member Erin Keller. She is honored to be the recipient of the 2018 S*P*A*M Jen Trieloff Memorial Grant and can’t wait to further her experience and education in the world of props. You can find examples of her work and resume at http://wermedalprops.weebly.com.

May the Props Be With You

First, a couple of upcoming deadlines. The deadline for the 2018 Grants for Early Career Prop Professionals is May 15. If you have an upcoming internship/apprenticeship in props, you are eligible to apply for one of two $1000 grants offered by the Society of Properties Artisan Managers.

If you are going to the Maker Faire Bay Area later this month, check out the The First Annual Maker Faire Prop Contest. The deadline is May 17th to have your prop judged by an all-star team of internet-famous props people.

Han Solo’s Episode VI blaster up for grabs (VIDEO) – Yes, it’s on a site called “guns.com”; sorry about that. But they do have a load of information about the original Star Wars prop, along with a few videos of various replicas being built.

Prop Master April Laird on “Hold the Drama” – The latest episode of the “Hold the Drama” podcast talks with April Laird, who has worked in the props department of shows like Dexter, Grey’s Anatomy, and New Girl.

Make a Marking Gauge for Curves – Chris Schwartz demonstrates how to build a quick marking gauge that allows you to follow a curve to mark an inset.

Building a Portable, Collapsible Workbench - Elisha from Pneumatic Addict shows us how she built a simple workbench that folds down to take up minimal space.

2017 SPAM Grant Winners

The Society of Properties Artisan Managers is proud to announce the recipients of their third annual Edie Whitsett and Jen Trieloff Memorial Grants. Congratulations to Samantha Llanes and Lauren Chilton. These grants are awarded to individuals wanting financial assistance with transportation, housing or other necessities during an internship in theatrical properties. You can find out more about these grants and other resources at the S*P*A*M website. You can also “like” their Facebook page to stay up to date with news and announcements.

2017 Jen Trieloff Grant recipient: Samantha Llanes

Samantha Llanes
Samantha Llanes

Samantha is a third year MFA graduate candidate in Prop Technology at Ohio University. She is from Miami, Florida where she received her BFA in Scenic Design at Florida International University. Samantha is currently enjoying her summer as the Props Intern at the Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, New York. She will present her thesis production of In the Next Room (The Vibrator Play) at Ohio University this Fall. She is grateful for the opportunity to represent S*P*A*M as the 2017 Jen Trieloff Grant recipient and is eager to find new adventures in the wonderful world of props. Samantha’s website, including her resume and portfolio, can be viewed at www.llanesprops.com.

2017 Edie Whitsett Grant recipient: Lauren Chilton

Lauren Chilton
Lauren Chilton

Lauren E. Chilton is a graduate student at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA, entering her third year in their Properties Design & Management program. Lauren earned her B.A. in Drama and Studio Art from the University of Virginia in 2012, where she was shuffled into props her second year out of necessity and never left. After graduation she moved to the DC-Metro area, where she first completed a carpentry apprenticeship at Olney Theatre Center and then spent a year as a freelance prop master, working with companies such as Folger Theatre, Imagination Stage, Synetic Theater, Forum Theatre, and The Welders, and as a prop assistant at University of Maryland under the guidance of Timothy Jones. She is currently working as a prop artisan for the Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown, WV, and is prop designer for The Welders’ world premiere of to tell my story: a hamlet fanfic by Alexandra Petri. Next semester Lauren will develop her project and report in large-scale puppetry while designing and building props for Ping Chong’s Nosferatu, and in the winter will complete her MFA with an internship at the Santa Fe Opera. Lauren’s website, which includes her portfolio and resume, can be viewed at www.laurenechilton.com.

Congratulations to these two talented and promising Props Artisans on behalf of the Society of Properties Artisan Managers. The application process for next year’s grants will begin in March 2018.