Now that you know the answer to the question, “What is a prop master?” you may be curious about the typical career pathway of this professional. If you’re still in high school and you think you might like to become a prop master, talk to your high school guidance counselor about your goals. You may be able to add some relevant courses, such as wood shop, drama, literature and accounting.
It’s also a good idea to become active in your high school’s drama department. Try to volunteer for a number of different roles — from set design to acting — to gain a thorough understanding of what it takes to put on a stage production. You might also look for extracurricular activities such as a film club.
After high school, you’ll need to plan on earning a bachelor’s degree. Although it’s possible for prop masters to land their jobs with just a high school education and plenty of on-the-job experience, a theatre degree is strongly recommended, and many employers may prefer it. Lastly, you’ll likely need to work in an entry-level role before climbing the ladder toward becoming a prop master.
After high school, your first step toward pursuing a career as a prop master is to earn a baccalaureate theatre degree. Even if you think you might prefer to work in the movie and TV industry, rather than on stage productions, a theatre degree will provide you with a well-rounded, industry-relevant education. You’ll learn foundational competencies in theatrical design, stagecraft, acting and stage direction.
Although the curriculum will vary from one school and program to the next, a theatre degree is likely to cover the following topics:
- Basic principles of acting, with a look at the interpretation of character, dramatic action, use of voice and development of physical presence
- Fundamentals of stagecraft, including the construction of props and the set
- Theatrical design, including lighting, costumes and makeup design
- The history, development and major trends of theatre
- Theories and techniques for directing stage productions
- Lighting and scenery design for the stage
It’s likely that you’ll be required to participate in one or more theatrical productions at your college. This is a great opportunity for you to gain hands-on experience. If possible, volunteer to design, construct and manage the props during one of those productions, and be sure to document your work thoroughly for inclusion into a professional portfolio that you can use during job interviews later on.
The job of the property master isn’t always an entry-level one. Although you may be able to pursue this position at a smaller production shortly after graduation, it’s more likely that you’ll need to acquire a few years of professional work experience. There are a few entry-level positions that are well-suited to aspiring prop masters:
- Standby prop: This professional serves on the props crew during a production. Their duties typically include swapping out props between scenes, answering questions about the props and showing cast members how the more complex props work.
- Prop store person: Sometimes referred to as the “prop storeman,” the prop store person acts as an assistant to the prop master. They are responsible for keeping all of the props organized in the storage area, as well as arranging the delivery and transport of any props that are purchased or rented, rather than constructed in-house. To become a prop store person, it’s helpful to have strong organizational skills and to be a “people person,” as good relationships with suppliers are a must.
- Set dresser trainee: A set dresser trainee, or “dress props person,” typically works under the supervision of the set dresser. They are responsible for “dressing” sets by bringing in and setting up all of the set props that create a scene — from wallpaper and flooring to smaller props like file folders and coffee mugs.
After you acquire at least a few years of work experience in an entry-level role, you can begin to look for opportunities to move up the ladder and pursue a position as the prop master on a production. You may find it easier to break in as a prop master on a smaller production before working your way up to larger, big-budget productions.
Professional networking is the lifeblood of the entertainment industry. Throughout your time working entry-level roles, actively strive to develop a robust professional network. Keep in touch with contacts from previous productions and make sure they know you’re interested in becoming a prop master. It’s possible that one of your contacts might help you land your dream job.
You can turn your passion for entertainment into purpose when you become a theatre student at Grand Canyon University. The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre for Secondary Education degree program — which leads to initial teacher licensure for those who aspire to teach drama — is also an ideal degree program for students who wish to work within the entertainment industry as prop masters or in similar roles. Click on “Request Info” at the top of your screen to learn how you can join our creative learning community.
Approved by the assistant dean of theatre and dance for the College of Arts and Media on Jan. 25, 2023.
