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The Drury Lane property team: Sharron Clerk, Shaun Wilson, Michelle Brann |
Michelle Brann’s story takes us behind community theatre scenes, literally and figuratively. Michelle is Drury Lane’s Properties Manager and, with an extended team, ensures that all props are secured or made, maintained and managed. It’s a role requiring centre stage attention…
A little background
The literal definition of a property in the theatrical sense is: Any moveable article or object used on the set of a play. Thespians worldwide shorten the term to props. Think about it: Any moveable object. Take a moment to reflect on the last show you have seen, if not in
a theatre, then in a movie or on TV. In a family dinner scene, visualize the table setting. Now move the family to a restaurant where other guests are enjoying their meals; some are smoking, others are using their PDAs or cell phones while writing on a pad of paper. All of this must look authentic, even though it’s make-believe.
Theatre Mom
In September 2004, Michelle’s eight-year-old daughter was cast in The Sound of Music. Instead of simply watching her child in rehearsal, Michelle asked to be put to work. As mutual good fortune would have it, Drury Lane needed someone for props. “Despite not having a creative bone in my body, I decided to give it a try,” Michelle recalls.
Having only attended shows as an audience member, she was unaware how it all came together. But with the Drury Lane family providing extensive encouragement and support as well as activating her own creative genes, Michelle rose to the occasion. “The fascination
for me lies with the unfolding of the creative process from page to stage,” she says. And she has worked on every show since then.
How do you do it?
First and foremost, property management requires a considerable team effort. Michelle can’t say enough about the people who are always there to assist. Currently, she is working with one other dedicated props person, Sharron Clerk. But there are those elusive
props or ones requiring construction where Michelle finds herself reaching out to cast,
crew, other theatre groups, Drury Lane members or through the internet.
It starts simply by reviewing the script to make a list, or use the properties list supplied in the script (this is so much better). From there, she will pull samples from the properties department that match as closely as possible. During early rehearsals, she shows the director what’s available. Typically, Michelle will bring two or three versions to give the director a choice. For example, a show may call for a gun. They work together to determine the specific one needed.
Michelle ensures that props are available to the actors as soon as possible during the rehearsal stage. Substitutes are used until the real thing is found. She will organize them backstage so the cast can find them or hand them out, where necessary.
The show behind the show
Last season, Michelle needed a bell for Oliver. Through connections, she was able to borrow a 150 year old school bell from Educational Archives and Heritage Centre of Hamilton Wentworth!
Many small pieces of furniture will be repurposed. Again for Oliver, Michelle needed a coffin. Crew members turned a bed into what was required. Despite all the testing that takes place before the show opens, props can break during performances. It certainly keeps the team busy backstage. They are always at the ready with glue gun, tape, scissors, pins -- you name it.
In Man of La Mancha, the tip of a sword broke onstage. In fleeting turnaround time, duct
tape was used to secure the tip for the remainder of the show. For the balance of performances, they had to make another one. Sheer resourcefulness.
For A Little Night Music, one of Michelle’s favourite shows, they had a dining room table set for eight. She acquired tablecloth, a vase with flowers, dishes, stemware, cutlery and napkins. Because the table was too large for the tight space backstage, it was split into two mirror image pieces, held at either side of the stage. Everything was glued onto the table to ensure nothing would fall off when it was assembled onstage. Michelle was as amazed as the audience!
A family affair
Michelle’s children are now actively involved in Drury Lane. They accompany Mom to assist
with many elements of production. Her daughter has moved onto lights, sound, and set
painting. Sounds like the Brann family plays an important role within the Drury Lane family.
To find out more check out www.drurylane.ca or call the Box Office at 905-637-3979.
