How Does Your Theatre Organize and Track Props?
I’m currently taking on a massive overhaul of my theatre’s Props Department and I’d love to hear how other companies handle organization and inventory tracking.
Right now, our space is filled with years worth of props stacked, piled, and tucked away without much consistency. Over the next 6 months, I’ll be sorting through everything section by section, organizing, repairing, selling, donating and throwing away items as needed.
My biggest goal is creating a digital inventory system that can actually be maintained long-term, even when department heads change over the years.
I’d love to know:
- What programs/apps/spreadsheets do you use to track props?
- Do you use QR codes, barcodes, photos, shelf maps, etc.?
- Does anyone have templates, examples, or screenshots they’d be willing to share?
For context, this is for a community theatre company with a LOT of miscellaneous stock accumulated over decades.
Any advice, horror stories, or examples would be hugely appreciated!