When an onstage action requires a specialty object, it is the job of the props department to create whatever is required.

 

This past week, members of our stage crew have been busy in our theater’s scene shop constructing four new benches for Simon Boccanegra. These new benches will function as ‘stunt-doubles’ to sustain the abuse of being tossed around in the choreographed action during the Council Chamber fight scene.

 

 

Each bench has over one hundred and fifty individual components made from a variety of materials including custom aluminum castings, turned leg fixtures, raw pine materials, and ornamental details improvised from bits of rope, egg and dart molding, wooden appliqués and large upholstery tacks.

 

 

After the props department completes the construction, the benches are delivered to the scenic department for painting and surface treatment. The performers will then use these benches in the rehearsal hall and onstage for the production.