Hand Props: any objects handled by the actor as part of their stage business. Sometimes they are simply touched, at other times they may be carried around the stage for a lengthy period of time.
Personal Props: a sub-category of hand props. They are usually any items that an actor uses to develop his or her character in rehearsal, hence ‘personal’. Some are discarded before the performance but those that stay are unique to a particular character such as an umbrella, a pipe, or a walking stick.
Costume Props: objects that are part of the character’s costume such as a fob watch, walking stick, mask, or parasol.
Set Props: larger objects that form part of the set as a whole, most common items of furniture such as a couch or chair. Actors usually interact with set props.
Set Dressing: items in the background of the set and includes objects that are usually unnoticed by the audience. These items help decorate the set such as books in a bookcase, lamps, carpets, chandeliers, and rugs. Actors do not normally interact with set dressing on the stage.
Trim Props: anything that hangs on the set walls such as curtains, clocks, and paintings.
Greens: all plants on the set (hence ‘greens’), including flowers. Whether these greens are real or imitation is immaterial.
Special Effects Props: any type of special effect such as burning fires in fireplaces, rain, torches, etc.
Specialty Props: objects that are specifically made for a particular show with a function that goes beyond mere set dressing or a standard chair, for example.
Consumables/Perishables: any item that is eaten, manipulated, or destroyed in some way during a single performance. This often includes food and drink, but could also be items such as caps in cap guns, letters, napkins, or magazines. As a rule, a consumable or perishable must be completely replaced after each performance.
Breakable/Breakaway Props: objects that break on cue such as chairs, fake glass, bricks, bottles, or vases.
Practicals: electrical props such as fake candles, lamps, and chandeliers. Some of these practicals may also be set dressing.
Tech Props: props that incorporate technology, such as functioning screens, lights, or sound effects.
Literal Props: objects that physically exist on the stage.
Implied Props: objects that are only referred to by character dialogue, but do not physically exist on stage.
Aging: The process of making a prop look older or worn through various techniques such as distressing, staining, or painting.
Acrylic Paint: A type of fast-drying paint made of pigment suspended in acrylic polymer emulsion, widely used in prop making for its versatility and durability.
Adhesive: A substance used for sticking objects or materials together; in prop making, common adhesives include hot glue, PVA glue, epoxy, and contact cement.
Appliqué: A decorative design made of one material sewn over another, used in prop design for detailing.
Armoury: A collection or supply of weapons or armour, often replicated as props in theatrical productions.
Articulation: The method or manner of connecting parts in such a way that motion is possible, important in creating movable or functional props.
Aerograph: Another term for an airbrush, a small, air-operated tool that sprays various media, often used for detailed painting on props.
Alloy: A metal made by combining two or more metallic elements, especially to give greater strength or resistance to corrosion, used in metal prop construction.
Balsa Wood: A lightweight wood often used in model-making and lightweight prop construction due to its ease of cutting and shaping.
Batten: A long, flat strip of wood or metal used to provide structural support in set and prop construction.
Bevel: To cut the edge of a material, such as wood or foam, at an angle other than 90 degrees, often for aesthetic or fitting purposes in prop making.
Bonding Agent: A substance used to create a bond between different materials, crucial in prop construction for adhering different types of surfaces.
Breakaway: A prop designed to break easily, often used in action scenes or stunts for safety and dramatic effect.
Buckram: A stiff cloth, made of cotton, and often used for shaping or reinforcing parts of props, especially in costume-related props.
Burnishing: A finishing technique that involves polishing a surface to a high shine, often used in metal and leather prop work.
Butt Joint: A simple joint where two pieces of material are joined at their ends without any special shaping, commonly used in basic wood prop construction.
Bulkhead: A structure mimicking a wall, often used on stage to represent rooms or enclosures, and constructed as part of the set design.
Camber: A slight convexity, arching, or curvature (as of a beam, deck, or road).
Canvas: A strong, durable, closely woven cloth used as a surface for painting and in prop-making for backdrops and set pieces.
Carpentry: The art or trade of cutting, shaping, and assembling wood, fundamental in prop and set construction.
Casting: The process of shaping material by pouring it into a mould where it solidifies into a specific shape, used in creating identical props or detailed pieces.
Clay: A natural, earthly material that can be moulded when wet and is used in sculpting original prop designs.
Cleat: A piece of wood or metal attached to a surface as a brace or support, often used in set construction.
Colour Mixing: The process of combining colours to achieve desired hues, especially important in prop painting and finishing.
Consumables: Props that are consumed or destroyed during a performance, such as food, drinks, or paper that is torn or burned.
Cutaway: A prop or part of a set that is cut out or removed to show the inside view or workings.
Decoupage: The art of decorating objects with paper cut-outs, often used in prop making for detailed and intricate designs.
Dowel: A cylindrical rod, usually made from wood, plastic, or metal, used as a structural element in prop and set construction.
Dummy: Non-functional replica of a real object, often used for safety or convenience.
Papier-Mâché: A material made of paper pulp or strips and a sticky binder like glue, used in prop making for creating lightweight and moldable forms.
Period Props: Props that are historically accurate to the time period in which a production is set.
Personal Props: Props that are carried or used by a specific character throughout a production, often reflecting their personality or backstory.
Plywood: A type of strong wooden board consisting of two or more layers glued and pressed together with the direction of the grain alternating, widely used in prop construction.
Polystyrene: A lightweight, plastic material often used in prop making for sculpting and model-making due to its easy-to-shape nature.
Practical: Functional object used in a theatre production, such as working lamps, clocks, or appliances.
Primer: An undercoat paint or substance applied to materials before painting, enhancing the adhesion, durability, and appearance of the final paint layer on props.
Prop Budget: The allocated funds for acquiring, constructing, and maintaining props for a specific production.
Prop Coordinator: The person responsible for overseeing the acquisition, organization, and maintenance of props for multiple productions within a theatre company.
Prop Dressing: The process of adding smaller, detailed props to a larger prop or set piece to enhance its realism and visual interest.
Prop Furniture: Furniture items used as props on stage, such as chairs, tables, or beds, which may be built specifically for a production or sourced from existing stock.
Prop Handoff: The moment when an actor passes a prop to another actor during a scene.
Prop Inventory: A comprehensive list of all props owned by a theatre company or used in a specific production.
Prop Maker: A skilled artisan who specializes in creating custom props for theatre productions.
Prop Maintenance: Regular upkeep and repair of props to ensure they remain in good condition throughout a production run.
Prop Malfunctions: Instances where a prop fails to work as intended during a performance, requiring quick thinking and improvisation from the actors.
Prop Master: The person responsible for managing and overseeing the props department in a theatrical production.
Prop Restoration: The process of repairing or refurbishing old or damaged props to make them usable for a production.
Prop Shop: A workspace where props are constructed, modified, and stored.
Prop Sourcing: Finding and acquiring props from various sources, such as thrift stores, antique shops, or online marketplaces.
Prop Strike: The process of removing and storing props after a production has ended.
Prop Swap: The act of quickly exchanging one prop for another during a scene change or between performances.
Prop Table: A designated offstage area where props are placed for easy access during a performance.
Prop Pulling: The process of selecting and gathering props for a specific scene or performance.
Prop Preset: The arrangement of props on stage or in the prop table before a scene begins.
Prop Plot: A detailed document that lists all the props needed for each scene of a production, including their placement and use.
Prop Rehearsal: A dedicated rehearsal session focused on the use and handling of props.
Prop Storage: The designated area where props are kept when not in use, often organized by type or production.
Prop Weapons: Realistic-looking weapon props, such as swords, guns, or knives, which require special handling and safety precautions.
Prop Wrangling: The act of managing and organizing props during a performance, ensuring they are in the correct place and ready for use.
PVA Glue (Polyvinyl Acetate): A rubbery synthetic polymer used as an adhesive in prop making, particularly effective with porous materials.
Scenic Paint: Paint specifically formulated for use in theatre, including on props and sets, known for its versatility and durability under stage lighting and conditions.
Sculpting: The art of carving or shaping materials like clay, foam, or wood to create three-dimensional props.
Silicone: A flexible, rubber-like material used in mould making and casting, beneficial for its non-stick properties and high fidelity in capturing details.
Tech Props: Props that incorporate technology, such as functioning screens, lights, or sound effects.
Gaffer Tape: A strong, tough, cotton cloth pressure-sensitive tape with strong adhesive properties, commonly used in theatre for a variety of purposes, including securing cables and temporary repairs.
Gauze: A thin, translucent fabric used in theatre for effects like scrims, which can appear opaque or transparent depending on lighting.
Gesso: A white paint mixture consisting of a binder mixed with chalk, gypsum, pigment, or any combination thereof, used as a primer for painting props.
Glaze: A coating of a glossy, semi-transparent substance applied to a prop, often used to enhance its appearance or to protect the underlying paint.
Greens: Natural or artificial plants, flowers, or foliage used as props to enhance the setting or atmosphere of a scene.
Hammer: A tool with a heavy head and a handle, used for driving nails, breaking objects, and other tasks in prop construction.
Hand props: Small, portable objects handled by actors during a performance, such as books, glasses, or weapons.
Handling: The proper techniques for handling, moving, and storing props to ensure their longevity and functionality.
Hardware: Metal tools, fasteners, and other metal items used in constructing and assembling props.
Hero Prop: Prominent, highly detailed, or important props that are featured prominently in a production or used in close-up shots.
Hessian: A strong, coarse fabric made from hemp or jute, often used in creating rustic or period-specific props.
Hinge: A mechanical bearing that connects two solid objects, typically allowing only a limited angle of rotation between them, used in props that require movement.
Lacquer: A liquid made of shellac dissolved in alcohol, or of synthetic substances, used to varnish wood or metal props.
Latex: A rubbery material used in mould making and casting for creating flexible props or prop components.
Lath: Thin strips of wood or metal used as a backing for plaster or to construct lightweight frameworks in prop making.
Lathe: A machine for shaping wood, metal, or other materials by means of a rotating drive which turns the piece being worked on against changeable cutting tools.
Flame Retardant: A substance that is applied to materials to make them resistant to catching fire, often used in theatre props and set pieces for safety.
Source: https://thedramateacher.com/theatre-props-glossary/#theatre-props-glossary