[Music playing]

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. The last episode, we looked at how to use props as real objects, telling stories in scenes. In this module, we'll look at using props symbolically.

Props are often used in drama as symbols or metaphors, and further enhance skills and understanding with creative thinking. Props used symbolically can create powerful and profound images in the heads of your audience members.

We will look at the 'What? Why? When? and How?' of props, followed by a sequence of tasks to help you select the best props to use in your drama. The final task will be devising a short narrative using symbolism, where we will transform 1 prop into 2 or 3 new objects or images.

So, what do we mean by symbolism? Symbolism is a device that uses symbols, for this purpose, objects, to represent something beyond the object's literal meaning. We will do this by learning to transform the objects of props.

So, why use props symbolically? Props provide a function, but they can also provide a subtle subtext. That is, they can challenge the audience to read between the lines as an alternative to using dialogue.

In addition, props can represent a theme or an event. They can stimulate creative thinking, as we find different ways to use them as symbols or metaphors. For example, a crucifix could represent a church or religion in some way. A chair could become a boat, a plane, a surfboard, a table, even another character.

When to use props symbolically? As stated in the last module, it's important to think about when to use props. For symbolic purposes, this can be to create memorable small or large-scale images on stage, which will hook the audience visually, to present a recurring or important theme in a narrative, to ignite the imagination of the actors and audiences.

So, how to use props? In this module, we'll explore how the actor can transform a prop. We will need to take into account the object's shape, the differences with how we use props as symbolic representation of something in the way the actor uses it, using movement, expressive gesture, and at times even trying to endow the prop with a personality or emotions.

With some objects or props, we can change or alter their shapes - umbrellas, newspaper, paper lanterns. These can be very useful as a prop as they can represent even more objects with transformations.

For example, a piece of newspaper might symbolise a piece of art, a book, or you could fold or scrunch it into a new shape. An umbrella when folded up, it could symbolise a walking stick, or a crutch for a pirate. Opened, it could symbolise a shield or a wheel, or it could be part of a larger object - a flying machine, the sun.

Plastic bags can be used as a real prop to carry things on to the stage. However, symbolically, they could be scattered around the stage to represent chaos, or they could be animated to represent the extraordinary.

For example, if you fill them with air, they can be animated. They could symbolise jellyfish, strange creatures. Join them together in groups and represent large clouds, monsters. Let your imagination go wild. Have a look at these photos of how props are being used.

[Music playing]

If you intend on selecting a prop for a performance, it's important to allow time to play with the props first, so that your ideas on how to handle them, and use them creatively, have time to develop. It's also a time when you can identify any issues, or limitations, with the prop. Have a look at these videos and the ways different people have used props in their performances.

[Video playback]

- Put that stick down.

- It's not a stick. It's ...

- About face!

[Music playing]

- Hey! Be careful with that stick.

- I told you, it's not a stick. It's ...

- I think I got one.

- It looks like a big one!

[Music - 'Jaws theme']

[Laughter]

[Screaming]

- Don't trip on that stick.

- Nuh-uh. It's not a stick. It's ...

[Cackling]

- Giddy up, horsey. Giddy up.

[Music playing]

- Look where you're going with that stick.

- What stick?

[Music playing]

- Oh.

[Grunting]

[Growling]

- Home run.

- Put that stick down.

- You don't tell me what to do. You're not my father.

- Oh, but I am your father, Luke.

- No!

[Music playing]

- Stop that!

- You could poke someone's eye out with that stick.

- It's not a stick. It's ...

[Music - 'Harry Potter theme']

[Laughter]

- Lumos out.

[Applause]

[End playback]

SUE MUSGROVE: In this module, simple props, or object transformation exercises, will get you thinking about the possibilities. Object transformation ideas are only limited by the imagination. And, then it's up to the performer's skill to use these ideas in performance. In the first task, we're going to use the same props as for Module 1 - rulers, mops, brooms, or umbrellas, but in a more creative capacity.

This task is called 'Prop as an Imaginary Object.' Gathering our ideas, we will explore how to think of as many things as possible which the object is not, but it could represent. For example, the mop could be a telescope, or dancing partner, or a large spoon to stir a cauldron. These things have a similar shape, and they're rigid too. The size is different, but this is OK.

So, how do we transform our objects? In this first exercise, we're going to be transforming our chosen objects or props. I'm going to give you an instruction, and then you can pause the video after each one until you're ready to resume.

First - invent a machine. Remember, the shape will dictate the type of prop you will devise. Simple machine is best if you're working on your own, for example, a wheel, a lever or a pulley, or part of a more complex machine if you're working in a group, a propeller. Create a short narrative using your new machine as the main focus.

Second exercise in transformations is animating your prop. It could be a character in a story. It could be the protagonist, or hero, or even the antagonist, or villain. So, who or what could it be? An umbrella bird who befriends the lonely kid at school, a one-legged creature with a nasty attitude to humans. Devise a short narrative with your newly-animated object as a character.

Our third exercise in transformations - think of a story which features a significant object. For example, in Shaun Tan's 'Grandpa's Story,' the characters go on a journey in a car. Can your one prop be transformed to represent the object or part of this object, for example, the umbrella, a wheel or steering wheel of a car? Play with your ideas till you find one which is clear. Ask a friend or a family member for feedback.

Now, try to think of some other objects which could be in the story, and can be made in part, or whole, by transforming your object again. Transform it with movement, gesture. The way the actor transforms the object is vitally important. For example, the umbrella may have been a wheel, but then can transform to become a telescope, maybe because your character is lost.

Props transform into 2 or 3 objects. This time, we'll be transforming our props into 3 different things in a short story. You will devise a short scene in which your object will first be used as what it actually is, and then transforms logically into 2 more objects.

So, we start a story where the object is used as it usually is. For example, a broom is used to sweep the floor. Opening - the character sweeping the floor with the broom. Problem - the character is startled by a flash of light in the sky. So, the broom becomes a telescope.

Next, a character is frightened by a noise, goes to investigate, and finds an alien intruder, uses a broom as a shield, or a sword, to solve the problem in a nonviolent way. Maybe an alien has something to trade with your character, or presents something larger and more imposing, or maybe a broom transforms into a form of transport to whisk the character away to safety.

Perhaps you are using your umbrella as you walk in the rain, and then the sun comes out, and your umbrella becomes the sun, then a bird, then a huge cloud until it rains and becomes an umbrella again.

Have lots of fun. And, remember afterwards, ask your audience some questions to help you as a performer. You might ask 'How clear were the symbols created through the prop? What did you see? What might have been other ways I could have used the prop symbolically?' Then, perhaps you can take that feedback and try again.

Props are a wonderful way for actors to explore role, storytelling, design, and tension. Good luck, everyone. Hope you have been inspired to continue creative thinking with props.

[Music playing]