Propaholics or Propphiliac

Dylan · #1 (**permalink**) 10-29-2007, 05:44 PM

I was wondering if anyone else in the forum suffers from either affliction.

Propaholics: compulsive buyers of props, seriously needs to buy the props and may or may not use them, just needs to have them.

Propphiliacs: buys props and uses them even if they don't fit into the show, just wants to have lots of props in their show.

I tend to be a combination of the two. I tend to buy props prior to having a use and wait until I can get them into my show. I probably have 6-10 props waiting to be added at any given time.

Where do you fit?

Nettie Belle · #2 (**permalink**) 10-29-2007, 07:42 PM

I would have to say I'm definitely a propaholic. I should show you a picture of my clown room ... it definitely shows my addiction. I tried to show you but it exceeds the limit for Clown Forum. Just take my word for it. I have LOTS.

tim · #3 (**permalink**) 10-30-2007, 05:08 AM

I actually have been pretty good about not buying things unless I see a good use for them. That said, sometimes it takes awhile to find a way to routine what I've sunk cash into. If I see something which I really just like and know I have to have, I will usually find a way to make it work, though. I mean, some things are just too good in and of themselves to pass by, especially if they are cheap.

Darrell · #4 (**permalink**) 10-30-2007, 08:40 AM

I was a propaholic when I first started. I try to use what I have but a lot of it never gets used. It ends up being a toy for my daughter.

Darrell

ashes · #5 (**permalink**) 10-30-2007, 11:03 AM

Hmmm, I just did a class on building props (for fire safety clowns) -
We build props as we need them. They are usually pretty specialized, so it is hard to just buy some of the props we use.

I tend to be more of a costume-a-holic - I love new costumes and always buy or create one to match the theme we are doing in our school show that year.

In the western theme, I went and found spurs and real chaps. This year it was pirates, so a pirate shirt and hat.

The big year was our "American Heroes" year - I played 5 different
characters and bought costumes for each - I think it was well over $1000 worth =)

Ashes

Dylan · #6 (**permalink**) 10-30-2007, 12:24 PM

I think that it is amazing the amount of money we as clowns can spend on props and costumes. It also makes me laugh that most of the props that I currently use in every show I have had for 7 years or longer.

I have added playing cards into the mix and that is about the only prop that is new. I have come up with new uses and what not for my older props and I have bought quite a few new props that haven't been added sucessfully tot he show.

Scruffy · #7 (**permalink**) 10-30-2007, 04:51 PM

I don't have a problem. I can stop anytime I want to.... I just don't want to STOP!!!!!

S.Smith · #8 (**permalink**) 10-30-2007, 08:57 PM

With me being new to clowning and just starting to devlope my "show" and knowing myself to like to jump in and buy a lot of stuff to get started, I would have to say I am a Propaholic. I have a lot to learn so any tips on some good props to use let me know. I currently am doing some magic and one or two gags.

Chuckles The Clown · #9 (**permalink**) 10-30-2007, 10:49 PM

I too, have a penchant for procureing (A fancy way of saying"blowing my money away") on props for both clowning & magic. I have since learned that I try to reason (another way of saying I like to talk to myself) as to whether I will really use it or not. Or, can I make something better myself. We all know there hundreds of things out there to tempt us, and sometimes I weed out some of my goodies, as they can reeeely start taking up a lot of real estate.
On the other hand, I have been working on getting a magic show together for about a year, and a lot of the stuff needs to be stored until I can get it together. Three members of our local ring just did a production which took them a year to get it to the stage. I do a lot of clowning with the balloons & miscellanious magic and still, theres always that little something that you really feel you need.

OkiDoki · #10 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 05:18 AM

No I'm not a propaholic.The props I have are bought because of the skitpossibilitys I see in them or because I thought about a great skit in which I need a certain prop. I like to have as less props as possible and try to get the most out of the thos vew props I use. This doesn't mean I don't have props laying around not in use. That is because I haven't found the time yet to practice with them This are mostly magic and jugglingprops which need a lot of practice before you can perform with them. Also most props I'm bying are to replace the worn off older props. And then it hurts to much to throw away those older props that I keep broken trunks with broken props in them.