Kristen Bramson, head of the props crew, described the process as both exciting and challenging.
“This show is very prop-heavy,” Bramson said. “There are so many iconic elements, like the giant chocolate bar and the golden ticket.”
The props crew, made up of student and parent volunteers, has spent weeks designing and constructing props that fit the whimsical nature of the show.
“We always start by making a list of things we need,” Bramson explained. “Then we collaborate with the directors and set designers to make sure everything fits the vision.”
One of their biggest challenges has been creating props that are both visually striking and functional using the resources that they have.
“We obviously can’t just buy everything we need,” Bramson explained, “so we usually end up making them.”
There is an additional struggle involving constructing intricate props for audiences who may be sitting far away.
“We have something called the ‘40-foot rule’ where items should look convincing from at least 40 feet away— which is the typical distance between the audience and the stage.”
With just weeks to go, the crew is making final adjustments and testing the props during rehearsals.
“It’s always exciting to see how the props fit into the show,” sophomore member Claire Corral stated. Corral added how rewarding and motivating it is to see everything on stage put together.
Despite the long hours, the team is excited to see their work come to life on stage.
“Seeing the audience react to the world we’ve helped build makes all the hard work worth it,” Bramson said.
The school’s production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” will be showcased April 4-6 and April 11-13 in the P-T high school auditorium.
Sophia Dunnabeck, News Section Editor