Prop Design

This puppet was constructed for Indiana Repertory as a project for my Graduate Props class. The design of the puppet was to give as much movement as possible so the actor could wrestle the hound.

Flexible joints were built in, rubber teeth were molded and set into the mouth, and various furs were added.

Side note: This puppet only had a brief 5 seconds on stage in a very dimly lit scene. However, it made a second appearance in a later production of The Mystery of Irma Vep at Indiana Repertory Theatre.

This was a project created to teach a student about furniture construction. The carpentry was guided by me and executed by the student. The upholstery was completed by me.

Thanks to CJ Sneath for completion of the carpentry.

This was a project created to teach a student about furniture construction. The carpentry was guided by me and executed by the student. The detail carvings were done by me.

Thanks to CJ Sneath for completion of the carpentry.

This was a project created to teach a student about furniture construction. The carpentry was guided by me and executed by the student. The screen printed fabric and upholstery was done by me.

Thanks to Connor Ebbinghouse for completion of the carpentry.

A side note: This project was also rigged to fly in the King Lear production and was re-upholstered for another show the following year.

This piece was a rolling and swiveling flower shaped bower. The design was mapped out in Rhino 3d modeling program so we could layout the ribs and frame. The ribs were cut on a CNC.

Modeling, CNC work, and all construction was done my me. The upholstery was completed by myself and Jessica Umbreit.

This was a project created to teach a student about CNC large prop construction. The CNC file creation and carpentry was guided by me and executed by the student.

Thanks to Sandy Everett for completion of the carpentry.

Certain hidden features are as follows: Storage below the deck with access doors on the sides. Removable pull handle once the stage has been set up, and two large boxes on the interior to provide elevation to riders that later become a bed platform.

This project had to be “constructed” on stage by the main character. The model was built in pieces to show passage of time as each piece was added to the rest.

These puppets were constructed and built in my garage as I worked free-lance for The Phoenix Theatre. The idea was to create puppets that resembled the actors in some ways and be true to the production without completely copying the original.

Side note: These puppets enjoyed a comeback at the same theatre the following year in another long extended performance run. Now they enjoy a retirement in my office.

The puppets were the parents of a child in this production. They were meant to be strange and unappealing as the child was estranged from his parents.

These puppets won me an award at SETC for properties design. They now live in retirement in my office.

This was a project created to teach a student about electrical wiring and chandelier construction. The welding and wiring was guided by me and executed by the student. The design was created by me.

Thanks to Jamie Bray for completion of the project

As a side note: There were two created for this production. Later on these have been adorned with many crystals and beads.

The table is a Mappa Burl bookmatched veneer with oak edging and oak legs.

The upholstery on the bed is button tufted.

Built around a tricycle this prop had modified gears to make the actor pedal faster while moving very slowly.

Side note: This piece lasted for a week of tech and then the theatre was hit by a large hurricane and the production was closed before an audience was ever able to enjoy it.

This piece was designed to be ridden down the aisle of the theatre and onto stage to make a grand entrance for a character. It was designed and directed so that the character used the arms as the handle bars.

Side note: This piece was cut from the show the day after completion.