A rehearsal substitute can help a scene move forward while the final object is being prepared. It can also create habits that no longer fit when the actual prop arrives. Treat the substitute as a specific working choice, with its limits understood by the people using it.
Ask what the substitute must support
Discuss the scene’s immediate need with the responsible production and creative staff. The question may concern an object’s size, the way it is carried or the location where it is placed. Do not assume that any available object is suitable merely because it can represent the same idea.
Use only approved items and follow the production’s safety procedures. Potentially hazardous objects or actions require the appropriate qualified oversight. A temporary substitute is not a reason to bypass a process that would apply to the final prop.
Identify what is different
Record the relevant differences between the substitute and the intended object. These may include dimensions, handling, visibility or a practical feature not yet available. Keep the note concrete enough to inform rehearsal without trying to predict every possible effect.
For example, a stand-in container may mark where an item sits but not support the final opening action. State that limit before the scene is repeated. Otherwise the substitute can acquire an accidental authority simply because it has been used for several days.
Give it a clear identity and home
Label the item through an approved method that does not damage it or interfere with use. Keep it in the designated props area and identify the scene or purpose it serves. Avoid borrowing personal belongings informally without agreement about care and return.
If the substitute changes, tell the people affected and update the relevant record. A visually similar replacement may still alter handling. Do not leave the performer to discover the difference during a run.
Review the work when the final prop arrives
Arrange time with the responsible staff to introduce the actual object and review the relevant action. Check that everyone understands its use and any restrictions. Do not assume that established blocking transfers unchanged from the substitute.
Record approved adjustments through the production’s normal process. Coordinate with other departments where the change affects costume, sound, scenery or a transition. The aim is one consistent account of the new arrangement, not several private adaptations.
Retire the substitute deliberately
Remove it from the active props area when it is no longer in use, following the owner’s or department’s instructions. Keep it only if the production has a defined reason and clearly identifies its status. An old substitute left beside the current prop can create an avoidable mix-up.
If the final object is delayed, revisit what work can responsibly continue and which details must remain provisional. Be clear about the unresolved dependency rather than presenting the scene as fully settled.
A substitute has done its job when it supports the current rehearsal and leaves the future decision visible. The company can then use what is available without mistaking convenience for a final design choice or a complete handling agreement.