Assistant Props Designer

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Reports to: Production Manager, Props Lead

The Assistant Props Designer for the show will work closely with the Director, Scenic Designer, and Props Lead, and will be responsible for sourcing and designing properties to be used by the characters, and they will work with the Scenic Designer to dress the set. They will need to read the play several times in order to gain a complete understanding of the needs of the show. No prior experience is required. 

The full list of expectations of this position are listed below in accordance with the STA Contract:

Responsibilities and Characteristic Duties:

1. Create and maintain an up-to-date props list for the production in consultation with the director, scenic designer, and stage manager(s). Provide all parties with copies of the list. Be sure to include a revision date on each update.
2. Respond to all rehearsal questions and concerns in a timely fashion (for rehearsal reports it must be less than 24 hours after they are sent out each night) and forward all associated correspondence to the producer.
3. Coordinate with the stage management staff regarding rehearsal props and their priorities. It is your responsibility to obtain and deliver them to rehearsals, but occasionally they will happen to pull items from somewhere which are suitable for performances. Constant communication will avoid duplicating items and needlessly increasing production costs.
4. Create drawings for properties items to be built in the shop, as necessary.
5. Adhere to all rules as outlined in the “Emerson College Policies Relating to Use of Performance and Rehearsal Facilities” handbook.
6. Comply with state and federal safety regulations (including EPA hazardous material regulations) while working on this production.
7. Attend all production meetings for the project, as class schedules allow.
8. Obtain cash advances for purchases and rentals, as needed, from the Producer. Ensure that all purchase receipts are kept and organized for the Producer to check off on.
9. In consultation with the Producer, create a schedule of deadlines for all props. All items must be present by the Monday of the last week of rehearsals.
10. Train the stage managers, run crew, and/or actors in the use and care of built, borrowed, and valuable props, or those which have something unusual associated with them.
11. Coordinate with stage manager to come up with a plan by which consumable items will be replenished during the run of the show.
12. At the minimum, attend rehearsals at least once a week – in addition to all scheduled run-throughs during the rehearsal period. The value of attending rehearsals cannot be emphasized strongly enough.
13. Attend the crew run, tech, and dress rehearsals and take notes in consultation with the scenic designer. 
14. Attend strike and work in conjunction with the crew to return pulled and purchased props to storage.
15. Return any borrowed and/or rented props in at least as good a condition as you received them to their home location(s) in a timely fashion.

All positions at BlueJay Theater Collective must adhere to the mission statement and core values of the organization, both of which are listed below:

Mission Statement: BlueJay is a Dramatic Theater-based student organization at Emerson College. Their purpose as a collective and organization is to execute and depict relatable theater in which their young-adult and college-aged audiences can see themselves accurately portrayed onstage. In doing so, BlueJay will also work to make audition material accessible for students who are struggling to find text that suits their age group, gender identity, relationship to the content, and/or more, creating a collection of literary materials available for use. They aim to appeal to and uplift the demographic they are working with in creating an inclusive, professional, and familial work environment, as well as creating a space in which actors, designers, Managers, and staff feel supported and encouraged to share their ideas. Their goal is to inspire the artistic spirits of young creatives through proper representation and relatability.

The objectives and goals for BlueJay Theater Collective:

• Execute relatable theater.
• Create a platform for students to access audition materials that appeal to their demographic.
• Provide opportunities for performers to feel personally connected to the characters they portray.
• Reflect on and depict honest stories that will impact the audience beyond the world of theater.
• Create an inclusive, accepting, and collaborative work environment.
• Encourage growth and learning as a collective.
• Inspire joy and excitement for the art we create to influence the communities that surround us.
• Aim to foster an equitable and unbiased space for all.