Props Manager

Children's Theatre Company; Lakeville (MN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lakeville Area Arts Center is seeking a Props Manager for the 2026-27 season, supporting productions including A Christmas Story, Lettres et Cafe, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Moon Over Buffalo. You will source, acquire, and maintain stage properties used by actors.

In this role, you will collaborate with directors, research historical contexts, design and procure props, and communicate with cast members on usage and care.

Qualifications

• Proven work experience as a Props Manager or similar role.
• Knowledge of industry safety standards.
• Ability to work evenings and varying hours.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with directors to determine prop needs for productions.
• Research historical and cultural contexts to ensure accurate prop selection.
• Design and procure props for characters.
• Communicate with cast members regarding prop usage and care.
• Manage and store props and maintain inventory within budget.
• Attend 1-2 rehearsals and pre-production meetings.
• Place all props in appropriate storage locations.

Skills

Organizational skills

Creative problem-solving

Theater production knowledge

Team player

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Position

The Lakeville Area Arts Center is seeking a Props Manager to join our team for the 2026-27 season. Productions include A Christmas Story (Sept-Nov), Lettres et Cafe (Dec-Feb), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Mar-May), Moon Over Buffalo (May-Aug).

As a Props Manager, you will play a crucial role in bringing our shows to life by sourcing, acquiring, and maintaining all stage properties used by actors.

In this role, you will:

• Collaborate with directors to determine prop needs for productions.
• Research historical and cultural contexts to ensure accurate prop selection.
• Design and procure props for characters.
• Communicate with cast members regarding prop usage and care.

Successful candidates will have:

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Creative problem-solving abilities.
• Knowledge of theater production processes.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

The Props Manager position is hired on a show-by-show basis.

Major Areas of Accountability

• Participate in bringing the director's vision for a production to fruition.
• Plan with director (sometimes choreographer) to determine all prop needs.
• Research historical and cultural context of the production in order to choose props from the appropriate time period and region.
• Design and/or procure all props needed for each character.
• Collaborate with director to ensure appropriate props are secured.
• Communicate with cast members to ensure appropriate usage, care and storage of all props.
• Manage and stay within provided props budget.
• Communicate with Arts Center staff to purchase or be reimbursed for purchases.
• Attend 1-2 evening rehearsals and pre-production meetings.
• Place all props in appropriate storage locations and add them to Prop inventory.

Relationships and Contacts:

• Is under the immediate general and technical supervision of the Arts Center Manager.
• Responds to requests or inquiries from the production director, producer, and stage manager.
• Communicates and works effectively with other City personnel.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Sharp eye for detail.
• Ability to work a variety of hours, including evenings.
• Self-motivated and task oriented.
• Ability to plan and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge about industry safety standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Proven work experience as a Props Manager or similar role.

Desired Qualifications:

• Relevant training, certificates or job shadowing

Time Commitment:

Approximately 15 Hours per production