1. GC1: Job Roles in the Production Arts Industry
PROPS MISTRESS/PROPS ASSISTANT
The average salary of a props mistress is the equivalent to $16,000.
A props master/mistress is responsible for designing and securing all stage properties
needed for each character in a show. They will research geographical, historical and social
context of the play in order to design/secure the correct props from the right era/social
class etc. They also need to be able to work closely with the director in order to capture
their vision in the props and be able to manage time well to ensure each prop is made in
time for technical and dress rehearsals. They also need to consider the script and time the
show is running for and how the props will be transported if they are considered fragile or
of a larger scale. Working inside a budget is key for the role of a props mistress as well as
working with the producer and actors to design specific props that can be used in specific
ways according to different characters. They are also responsible for setting up prop tables
and the maintenance of props. A props assistant is responsible for assisting this work as not
only one person can create the props needed for an
entire show.
If a props mistress/assistant doesn’t do their job correctly it will affect the entire show and
will delay the show’s premier if props are not created/ do not function properly.
Their day to day job would be working on a production gathering evidence and research of
the show, and sketching/making props suitable for the specific production.