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1981 - 1985
A former strip club. Hall drifters. Two kids fresh out of college. This period of time, the beginning stages of Prop's history represents the unconventional theatre that it would go on to create. Beginning in 1981, with the opening of the first Prop show (Puntilla and Matti, His Hired Man by Bertolt Brecht) and ending with the opening of its first official space, this era marks what would be the start of a long history.
Puntilla and Matti, His Hired Man by Bertolt Brecht
1981
Prop Thtr's decades-long love affair with the works of Brecht began with its first official show. Prop's founders, Stefan Brün and Scott Vehill, had worked together before during their time at Columbia College, but it was not until this production that Prop became an official theatre company following the purchase of their first of many spaces: a former strip club at 3443 North Lincoln Avenue.
Hall Drifters
As Prop got itself up and running, a strange sensation emerged. Between 1980 and 1983, anyone off the street could pay a small fee in exchange for a place to sleep in the theatre. They often helped to keep the theatre running with various chores, gaining the title "Hall Drifters."
Soap Box Sweepstakes
by Bob Odenkirk and Dan Rubin
1985
From 1983 to 1985, Prop was itinerant, existing only in the spaces of other theatre companies. One notable production that came out of this period was Soap Box Sweepstakes, a new work in the early careers of actor Bob Odenkirk of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul and writer Dan Rubin of Groundhog Day. Prop worked with Practical Theatre Company on this project and continued their connection for years to come.
A New Space
After two years of itinerancy, Prop secured a new location at 2360 North Clybourn Avenue in April 1985. They would stay at this location for almost a decade.
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