Video transcript
@The Arts Unit Art Bites – Drama Props – 01. Props for creative thinking module one

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SUE MUSGROVE: Hi, my name is Sue Musgrove, and I'm a teacher at Balgowlah Heights Public School, as well as a tutor of the Primary Ensemble here at The Arts Unit since 2009. I'm going to talk to you today about using everyday objects as props in a dramatic context. Props can be used in either a realistic or a symbolic form. This module looks at props used realistically.

Using literal, or real props, and actions to go with them, can make the plot spring to life and can emphasise important movements. We will look at the what, the why, the when, and the how of props, followed by tasks to help you select a suitable prop to use when dramatising a narrative.

So, what are props? Props are the items held, and often used, by actors onstage, to make the action more realistic. They make great tools for actors to express themselves with. The purpose of this workshop is to select a prop which can be used in multiple forms, and therefore reduce the need to use an array of different props in a narrative. We'll do this by exploring some of the specific qualities of the chosen object, or prop.

Why use props in drama? Props draw the actors and audience into a scene, and help move to another scene. They can also be used as a support of a theme, or give a glimpse into a character's personality or struggles. In addition, props are just objects, but often they are objects which the audience can make connections with, connections to their own use of the object, through to connections with the actual actors using the props, and to the narratives being presented on stage.

So, when to use props? It's important to think about when to use props. This can be motivated by needing to change the setting in a story, without using a traditional set change, which would require moving objects on and off the stage, hoping to immerse the audience in the universe of the story, making even the most fantastical settings come closer to being a reality. Props can be objects used on stage to help set a scene, or create meaning.

Props can be what we call 'personal props' specific to one character, and used to give meaning and insight into that character. For instance - a walking stick, a gun, a doll, a set of rosary beads. If a character constantly carried or used one of these props, you could make assumptions, and begin to create narrative for that character, based on that prop. You start to associate that prop with that character. And, that can add to the dramatic meaning on stage too.

How to use props? In this module, we'll be using props in a realistic sense. That is, we will use them in their obvious state, and then transform them, as needed, when we devise problems and solutions in the narratives. Shape is important when choosing an object to be your prop in a narrative. The actor needs to use the object thoughtfully.

The prop needs to have the same, or a similar shape, as the things you're hoping it will represent. For example, if you were given a ruler, it could transform into anything with the same shape such as a wand, a spoon, a spade, but it wouldn't work well as a ball or a hat. In this first task, the prop will be used as the obvious, and then it will be used in a more imaginative way. We're going to use objects which have a basic shape, and are rigid.

So, for Task 1 - what you'll need. Before we start, collect the following things to use - paper and pen, either a ruler, a mop, a broom, a roll of paper or glad wrap, an umbrella, a clear space, and a large mirror, or a family member, or another member of your class, as your audience.

I'm going to give you an instruction, and then you can pause the video after each one, until you're ready to resume. Give yourself a time limit to brainstorm ideas for each of these tasks, maybe 30 to 40 seconds.

The first is - 'Who?' List all the people who would use the objects, props, you have chosen. Use a descriptive word for each person. For example - a brave teacher, a nervous cleaner, an extremely old chef. Number 2 - 'What?' List different variations of this object. For example - a foam mop, a rope mop, an old broken mop. An umbrella - rain, sun, or beach umbrella.

Point 3 - this is the 'Where?' List all the places where you might find this object. For example - a classroom, a kitchen. A really old broken mop may even be found at the rubbish tip. 4 is the 'When?' List all the obvious situations or problems when we might need to use this object. For example - a broom used to sweep the floor, clean.

Now be creative, and think of all the less obvious but possible situations, for example, the broom to remove cobwebs from the ceiling, or around the windows, or to stop the dog from running on to a newly-polished or washed floor, to use as a barrier between the character and an imaginary monster, or a threat.

Let's put this all together. This is what I call 'prop in a narrative.' Think of a setting, real or imagined, for a narrative. Now, choose one word or idea from each of the categories 'Who? What? When? And, Where?' Write these down.

Using these words or ideas, devise a short narrative to be mimed, that is, no dialogue. Something important - your object must play an integral role to the narrative, and must transform in each new section, that is, the beginning, the problem, and the ending.

Here's some sample ideas and structure for your narrative, things that you could actually play with to get you underway. So first, devise a sizzling start. For example - a nervous, anxious cleaner with a tired old mop, cleaning cobwebs from the ceiling, and, to their horror, disturbs an enormous spider, which then sprints across the ceiling, out of reach and out of sight, for just a moment.

But, think how will the mop help the actor tell this story? It will need to be transformed through movement and gesture and positioning of the mop. So, for example, the beginning may be the character, using a slow sweeping motion above their head, and the mop to hide from the spider.

The next thing is to build the tension. The enormous spider reappears, and scurries down the wall, and it appears to be watching the character. Think again about the movement and the gesture and the positioning of the mop, a possible stabbing motion as they try to stop it running down the wall.

Next, we need to solve the problem quickly, or create a bigger problem. The spider rushes across the floor towards the cleaner who slips, and stumbles backwards, finding they are trapped against the wall. The cleaner then scrambles to find a chair and climb on to the chair.

Think again - the movement, the gesture, and the positioning of the mop, a possible hitting motion as they try to stop the spider coming near them, as it runs across the floor. It could also be used as a support as the cleaner tries to escape and climb on to a chair.

Put this together and rehearse. Think to present to an audience, and make sure to ask for feedback. I'll recap the important bits - sizzling start, prop as a storyteller, build the tension, extend your use of the prop to continue your story, solve or extend the problem, and find your ending.

Good luck with your story. And, remember, when you've finished and you've performed, ask your audience, 'How did the prop help show my character, situation, and story? What did you think was the strongest part of my performance? Were you able to follow my story?

Were there things I needed to make clearer? What else might I have been able to do in this performance in using the prop to make this piece stronger?' Have fun with it, and make sure to watch the next episode for other ways to use props.

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