Emerson Stage Prop Storage

Emerson Stage operates two prop storage spaces, which are open and available to student borrowers during the academic year. We recognize that our collection is an important resource for Performing Arts and Visual & Media Arts students, Emerson Stage productions, and student organizations. Please review the following guidelines for borrowing props:

Please note: we reserve the right to make changes to the below policies.

Emerson Stage Props Staff Contact Info

Props Director: Ryan Bates, ryan_bates [at] emerson.edu (ryan_bates[at]emerson[dot]edu)
Assistant Props Director: Lauren Corcuera, lauren_corcuera [at] emerson.edu (lauren_corcuera[at]emerson[dot]edu)

Email is the best way to get in touch with us, and we are usually very quick to respond.  In case of emergency (i.e. you’re at the warehouse and no one is there), please call the Paramount Scene Shop at 617-824-8798.

Somerville Warehouse

50 Tufts Street: Furniture, Set Dressing, Large Props, and More

General Policies and Procedures

1. The warehouse is open on Mondays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for both borrowing and returns, beginning the first Monday following the first day of fall classes, and ending the Monday or Thursday before the last day of spring classes. Specific dates will be sent out to the departments at the beginning of each semester. The warehouse will be closed on holidays.
2. Props may be kept over winter or summer break with the permission of the Props Director, but you will need to plan in advance. You are responsible for storing your objects until the the warehouse reopens. Please note the Props staff are off-contract June 15 through August 15 and will be unavailable during that time.
3. Use of the prop warehouse is strictly limited to borrowing for coursework or Emerson College organizations. Emerson students, faculty and staff may not borrow props for professional projects outside the College.
4. You MUST make an appointment with Emerson Stage props staff at least 48 hours in advance. To make an appointment, please email both Ryan Bates at ryan_bates [at] emerson.edu (ryan_bates[at]emerson[dot]edu) and Lauren Corcuera at lauren_corcuera [at] emerson.edu (lauren_corcuera[at]emerson[dot]edu), and let us know if you have any time preferences. Borrowers who do not make an appointment will be turned away at the door.
5. Any changes to the warehouse schedule will be announced on the Emerson Props Warehouse Facebook page.
6. You must bring enough labor to help you move large objects; if you think you’ll need a couch, bring a friend to help you move it! Warehouse staff may not be available to help you, but let us know if you are unsure about how to move something safely.
7. You will need to sign everything you are taking out with warehouse staff. Staff will ask to see your Emerson ID, and several other pieces of information. The rental form is available online; please do not fill this out in advance, staff will fill out a form with you on site.
8. Please carefully review the reverse side of the rental form for policies regarding returns and alterations.
9. Plan in advance for what you need as much as possible. An online inventory can be found at www.sortly.com using the following login credentials:
   1. Username: emersonprops [at] gmail.com
   2. Password: Props123!
10. There is only one dock where a truck can back up; please be efficient with your time on the dock so other borrowers can use it if needed. When not actively loading or unloading, trucks should be parked in the parking lot just outside the garage doors.
11. For projects on the soundstage: warehouse staff will set aside your props in a designated location, which you may bring to the soundstage during your load-in. After your project wraps, you MUST return all props to the location they were left for you. You will also need to schedule a time to come back to the warehouse to officially sign everything out and help restock your items.
12. When returning your items, you will need to help the props staff restock what you borrowed.
13. The restroom on-site can be found at Rx Strength Training, accessed through a door next to the soundstage. Please be respectful of our neighbors and aware of their clients.    

Emerson Community Use

1. Our prop storage shares a building with a VMA-operated soundstage, and storage for Facilities and Office of the Arts, each with designated storage areas. 
2. All these departments share one dumpster; whichever department fills the dumpster must take responsibility for contacting Facilities Director Joe Knoll at joseph_knoll [at] emerson.edu (joseph_knoll[at]emerson[dot]edu) to arrange a dumpster swap. The dumpster is not available to any parties outside of Emerson Stage, VMA, Facilities, and Office of the Arts.
3. The VMA soundstage is frequently in use outside of prop borrowing hours. All props MUST be signed out during borrowing hours with Emerson Stage props staff. Under no circumstances should props be brought to the soundstage outside of those hours without being signed out. Unauthorized use of props will result in the termination of future borrowing privileges for all crew members associated with that project.
4. If there is interest in filming outside the soundstage area in any other part of the warehouse, you must contact the props staff and Emerson Stage Production Manager Timothey Sullivan (timothey_sullivan [at] emerson.edu (timothey_sullivan[at]emerson[dot]edu)) with proposed dates, times, and a brief description of your needs and any proposed alterations. 

4M, Tufte Building, (Stairwell between 4th and 5th Floors)

Hand Props

1. The 4M schedule varies by semester. The schedule will be sent out by email to the PA and VMA departments, and posted on the 4M door.
2. Unlike the warehouse, you do not need to make an appointment. 
3. To access 4M, please go to the 4M door in the stairwell between the 4th and 5th floors in Tufte. A student employee will be present; let them know you are there to borrow from 4M, and they will let you into the storage space. 
4. You will need to sign everything you are taking with the student employee on duty. They will ask to see your Emerson ID, and several other pieces of information. You can access the rental form online.
5. Please carefully review the reverse side of the rental form for policies regarding returns and alterations.