But, there are plenty of good reasons to use one. Structurally speaking, the prop stand can aid the juggling act if you use lots of different props. I was told that the Brunn family of jugglers originated the idea of having the props in one stand and then a separate laundry-like bag to deposit the props in once the juggler was finished with the routine. This is nice device because it displays the props, eluding to the entire act, but then as the props are used, they disappear from sight into the bag. The juggler finishes clean and the stage is clean. The stage hands can quickly whisk the props off the stage and setup for the next act. There is also a quick turn around between routines since the juggler doesn't have to reset the props back on the stand - he, or she, simple dumps them into the bag.

That gesture alone has always bothered me though. I never liked the image of the juggler animating the prop, giving it life and then throwing it away in what appears to be a big trash bag. But, I concede that there are advantages to the idea that might outweigh the disadvantages. A prop stand is certainly a better choice than having to bend over to pick up props preset on the floor.

I have seen many versions of the prop stand incorporating both the bag and the stand into one table, mine included. If you don't use as many props as a Francis Brunn, then a smaller, single unit would probably suffice rather than having a separate table and bag. If you want to build one, use your imagination rather than copying someone else's design. My design is very nice as it has a detachable bag and it folds up for easy transport. I would be happy to share it with the group, but I think you should design the stand for your props, based on your own act, rather than trying to find a fit in someone else's design.

There is no right or wrong way. Be creative. Tables, chairs, bags, poles, pedestals, wires, whatever can be effective ways of accessing and displaying props for an act. Though, make sure that the design is robust and double check the fasteners before each show. I once had that easy-to-fold-up-for-transport prop stand I mentioned fold up on me in the middle of an ice show. Props went sliding in all directions with my stand neatly collapsed upstage-right. Sigh.

Steven Ragatz