[SML] Prop weapon policies for academics

[Riter, Andrew]

Maybe not the prettiest of policies.  . ..

Short version: only designated people can handle the prop weapon.

Firearms (blank firing, modified, or dummy) must be kept under lock and key, or in visual sight, at all times.

“sharp” weapons (swords, knives, polestaffs, bow/arrows) must be blunted, but also have similar handling restrictions.
No horseplay, no unscheduled or unsupervised combat rehearsals,

Signs are posted in the lobby.

Prop weapons can’t be used in the (glass walled) lobby during the rehearsal process.

Prop weapons can’t be backstage outside of the theatre itself (so not in back hallways etc), unless going from storage to venue etc.

We inform Campus Security and the local RCMP detachment on campus about the weapons, type, style, start and end dates and times…..

Professional Filming (Netflix, apple, major or minor studios):  these happen in our building and on University grounds.  We observe, but don’t interfere, unless their weapons master appears to be unsafe.  We expect them to follow very similar policies as ours, notify Security and RCMP etc.  we would share our policy and ask to see their policy or plans.

UBC has a film school as well, and they come and shoot scenes here as well.  the same policies would apply. (don’t do unsafe things in my building!!)

Jim never mentioned if this was for High School or post secondary college/university (I know some HS call themselves a college, so I’m not clear on the age group of students involved.)

In Canada, with different gun laws, anyone handling a gun or prop gun must have paperwork (Firearms Acquistion Certificate?).  the actor probably doesn’t, but the prop or weapons master does.  So many of the Prop People in the city are licensed.
I believe there are separate permits for transporting vs shooting/owning . . . .  I haven’t kept up on those regs.
And there are different regs for long gun vs pistols . . . . .

Andrew M. Riter
Assistant Technical Director, Head Lighting Technician
Chan Centre

Phone 604 822 2372
andrew.riter at ubc.ca<mailto:andrew.riter at ubc.ca>

From: Stagecraft <stagecraft-bounces at theatrical.net> On Behalf Of John McAfee via Stagecraft
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2025 4:47 PM
To: Stagecraft Mailing List <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
Cc: John McAfee <jrpmcafee at gmail.com>; Dougherty, Jim <jdougher at middlebury.edu>
Subject: Re: [SML] Prop weapon policies for academics

[CAUTION: Non-UBC Email]
I require a dedicated student weapon wrangler and a contract that details exactly how the weapon is used and where it is placed and stored at all times, along with a blanket safety guidelines form.  The contract is signed by the management team, weapons wrangler, the actors who wield weapons, and actors who are in scenes with weapons.  The guidelines form is signed by anyone who handles the weapon.

I haven’t yet had a show that has required a gun fired on stage or fencing or anything like that, so I don’t have extensive training required, but I do require every person who touches a weapon to go through a safety workshop where we discuss things like pointing the weapon off-axis and to treat every gun as if it is loaded.

For guns, I require the weapon wrangler retrieve the weapon from me at the top of show and return it to me after.  When they get it from me they check in front of me that it is not loaded (and can’t be loaded).  At my institution, there’s a tradition of warm-ups that cast and crew participate in.  I have told the weapons wranglers that once they get the weapon from me it must always be either backstage or in the playing space during the show, and if it is backstage it should be in their sight (within reason), so they may not get the weapon, preset it, and then go to warm-ups in another room.

For non-guns that could be construed as real weapons (rapiers, foils, realistic prop knives), I still require the wrangler but I am a bit looser on the “must be in sight.” Usually the wrangler is one of the SM team, which makes rehearsal process a bit easier because they are authorized to manage the weapons.

I don’t have restrictions per se, but I require approval from three faculty members for the use of a blank firing weapon and a dramaturgical justification about why it can’t just be a sound effect.

I reached out to our security team and asked if they wanted approval or wanted tape on barrels or anything like that and they said they trusted my judgment…  I still give them a courtesy email if a gun is to be used and let them know the call times for the rehearsals and shows.
At a previous institution, the security team required neon tape on all barrels at all times including during shows.  But they didn’t ask to inspect the weapons or anything like that.

On the whole, the process is much stricter than I think is necessary, but a few years ago we did The Tempest and it was the first show post-COVID that included weapons (quarterstaves and rapiers essentially used as costume pieces and briefly brandished) and the reaction from the students was strong.  They wanted very specific and clear contracts and hierarchies to manage what I thought of as essentially a non-weapon.  This led me to talking to some of them about guns and what would make them feel safe if we had a show that included a gun and I built our contracts around that.

My safety guidelines document is essentially cribbed from Emerson College.  The University of California Performing Arts Safety Manual is also a good resource.

We don’t have any film here, so I don’t have any additions there.

John



On Apr 10, 2025, at 5:43 PM, Dougherty, Jim via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net<mailto:stagecraft at theatrical.net>> wrote:

For those of you working at schools – what are your policies around the use of prop weapons, particularly firearms?

- Do you require training?
- Do you have restrictions on what types of props are allowed?
- Does your policy only include theatrical use, or does it address use in film shoots too?
- Do you have restrictions on where they may be used?
- Who has to sign off?
- Any other specifics or questions to consider?

Our primary goal is participant safety, both during the show and after should they ever handle actual firearms.  Liability concerns are also real.  We’re looking into our policies and want to match best practices for both safety and theatricality.  We’re also looking to have policies that might be applied to both theatrical and film use.

Feel free to email me directly with further questions or information while keeping as much helpful stuff on-list as possible.

Thanks!

- Jim Dougherty
Production Manager
Middlebury College Theatre Department
jdougher at middlebury.edu<mailto:jdougher at middlebury.edu>
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