Eric Hart has built many things in his careers as props artisan. During his time at Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Santa Fe Opera, New York City’s The Public Theater and as a freelancer, he has built an enviable portfolio of fascinating, detailed and ingenious props. And now he’s built a book. The Prop Building Guidebook: For Theatre, Film, and TV, from Focal Press, was first available in the U.K. and was released in the U.S. on Monday, March 11. To celebrate the achievement from one of their most popular contibutors, Stage Directions magazine is hosting a book signing with Eric Hart at their booth on the USITT Expo show floor. On Friday, March 22, at 12:30 p.m. Eric will set up shop in Stage Directions booth #100 on the show floor, signing copies of The Prop Building Guidebook.
“I’ve always been amazed at Eric’s work, and The Prop Building Guidebook is no different,” said Stage Directions Editor Jacob Coakley. “I’m ecstatic we get to host him and his book at the USITT show, where I know so many people will appreciate it.”
The book signing will start at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 22 in Booth 100 on the USITT Stage Expo show floor. It takes place during an “Expo Only” period, ensuring that no one will have to miss a seminar to get a copy.
The Prop Building Guidebook: For Theatre, Film, and TV, from Focal Press, lays the groundwork for an artisan to determine what materials and techniques to use to build props. Walking the reader through the various tools and techniques used in historical and contemporary prop-making, the author presents a process for deciding the materials and methods to build any prop. With an explanation of how the craft and its products have developed over time, the budding artisan will understand not just how and when to use certain techniques or materials, but also why to use them and what advantages they give. It arms the prop maker with a structured procedure for approaching the construction of any prop. Illustrated with step-by-step examples of how to use each construction method, and explanations of different types of materials, this book gives the beginner prop artisan a strong foundation to approach the construction of props and answers the question, “How should I begin?”
Eric Hart has built props for numerous theatres on and off Broadway and throughout the United States. He has worked with some of America’s top actors, directors and designers at the Santa Fe Opera, the Actors Theatre of Louisville and the Public Theater. Eric has also constructed props for display and exhibition including the holiday window displays at several major New York City retail stores. His photography and articles about props have been published in Stage Directions magazine and on his popular blog, Prop Agenda. Eric currently lives in North Carolina with his wife, Natalie, and two cats.
For more info about The Prop Building Guidebook, including How-To Videos and extra chapters, please visit www.propbuildingguidebook.com.
For more info about Eric Hart, please visit www.props.eric-hart.com.
