JACKSON BERKLEY

To accompany the production of Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern at Stage 42, the producers hired Tinc Productions to oversee a complete branded D&D overhaul of the two-floor lobby.

As the Lobby Props Supervisor, I was responsible for sourcing a large array of branded and aesthetically-adjacent props and set dressing to complete the transformation. The lobby was effectively divided into six main areas of focus — a wet bar, a dry bar, a merch area, a photo op station, a central upstairs seating area, and a downstairs entryway — and each required a unique treatment. The timeline for this project was very short: I was hired and began sourcing the first week of April 2024, and the show’s First Preview (and the lobby’s public unveiling) was April 19.

Under the supervision of designer Christopher Sousa-Wynn, I scoured Amazon, Etsy, Ebay, and Medieval Collectibles (as well as local cosplay and costume vendors) for fantasy props that could be ready on-site on an abbreviated timeline. Given the interactive nature of the setting and the sensitive branded content involved, I had to be extremely mindful of safety concerns (only foam or seriously dulled prop weapons) and ensure that none of the weapons, symbols, runes, etc. contained conflicting IP from other fantasy franchises. A highlight of the props package was a series of 20+ D&D-approved artworks and renders that we printed directly to Gatorboard, then framed and mounted on-site. Shout out to Universal Production Services’ NY Sign Shop, who delivered these beautiful prints with a very quick turnaround.

This was my second time working Props for Tinc Productions, after providing some additional fabrication and props maintenance on the magic show Mind Mangler towards the end of its run in Winter 2023-24. Working with Michael and his team is always a pleasure.

Fun projects on this job included making prop “potions” for the bar areas, engaging with D&D-obsessed Etsy vendors, and spending over $10k on fake swords, armor, and spellbooks.