Common Audience Participation Props
Here are some props often used by audience members.
This is not a complete list, meerly a traditional one. Use your imagination.
This theatre (and most others) have rules
about AP props.
- your voice, there's a lot of singing and yelling
- popcorn (wedding scene)
- small water gun (rain scene)
- newspaper (also for rain scene)
- flashlight (there's a light)
- party noisemaker (for creation)
- toilet paper, preferably Scott brand (Great Scott!)
- party hat (dinner)
- toast (dinner)
- bell (did you hear it ring?)
- cards (for sorrow and pain)
The cast sells prop bags to raise funds for costumes, props, and sets.
These typically have a little of each cheaper item: a little popcorn, a
sheet or two of newpaper, a noisemaker, a few feet of toilet paper, a slice
of toast, a few cards. They may also contain prizes, like free passes to
future shows or condoms.
[Personally, I prefer to bring at least my own toilet paper. A roll
throws much better than a loose strip. However, I'll buy a bag for the
other stuff I was too lazy to collect beforehand, and to support the
cast.]
These are some things you shouldn't bring, even though they have been
suggested on other AP prop lists.
- rice (it sticks in almost all fabrics, ie the carpet, the seats, etc)
- fine confetti (it sticks in spilled soda, and in the mop)
- lighters or matches (most theatres prohibit open flame)
- baloney or other sandwich meat (attract rats and other pests)
- hot dogs (also attract vermin)
- disposable mustard packs (they get stepped on and make a gross mess)
- super soaker water guns (most theatres don't allow them, because they
can easily reach the screen)
- glass bottles (too many people run around in bare feet)