Other things may need to be purchased. Thrift shops and garage sales are good places to find props for a play. A craftsman may make props that can't be purchased.

Props: It's short for properties.
Props are all of the things needed to decorate the set and be used by actors onstage. Some props are made; some are bought; some are borrowed; some are rented. Most theatres have permanent properties they keep in storage and use over and over.

Personal props
A personal prop is something actors carry or wear to help develop the characters they are portraying. Glasses, a walking stick, a pipe, a purse or a fan are examples of personal props.

What famous theatre character might have used this personal prop:

• a hook for a hand?
• a broom?
• a basket with a dog inside?
• other ideas?

You're faking it!
Many props are made from papier maché, foam rubber, cardboard or Styrofoam. Props can be decorated to look expensive and elaborate, or textured and painted to look like wood, stone, food or whatever is needed.

Most props are meant to be seen farther away, by the audience.

Up close, they may not look real.

Set props
Set props are large pieces of furniture like chairs, tables, rugs and beds and other big pieces that add realism to the setting.

Trim props
Trim props are smaller than set props. They might be things like lamps, vases, clocks, dishes and curtains that decorate the set.

Hand props
Hand props are the things actors use onstage. It might be a letter, money, a book, food, drinks, a key, a sword, etc.