Major Props: Crystal Hayner ‘19

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Major Props: Crystal Hayner ‘19

Crystal Hayner, with long brown hair, wearing a vest, sits by a computer set-up.

Hayner credits her Utica education, especially courses with Theatre Professor Laura Salvaggio, for helping her find her niche in the theatre world.

To the unfamiliar, Crystal Hayner ’19 describes her field of theatrical props design like this:

“Look around the room you are in. What do you see? I have a succulent on my windowsill, a duck stuffed animal at the foot of my bed, pictures hanging on the wall, water bottles and books on my dresser, and so on. While these are everyday items in your house, these are also considered props!”

Props, explains Hayner, are items that performers use during a theatrical production, and prop design, is “helping to create the world that is set through the director and the set designer by adding the detailed items that could be seen in your own home and are used by performers.”

Hayner, who majored in Communication and Media with a concentration in theatre at Utica, recently graduated from Louisiana State University with a master’s degree in theatrical props design. During summer 2022, she served as a prop apprentice at the renowned Glimmerglass Opera House in Cooperstown, New York, honing her craft — and more.

“I’ve done scenic woodworking, fine woodworking, foam carving, reupholstery, painting, and other smaller tasks,” says Hayner. “I’ve enjoyed working with the people in my department, but also meeting and making connections in other departments, as well.”

Hayner credits her Utica education, especially courses with Theatre Professor Laura Salvaggio, for helping her find her niche in the theatre world.

“Professor Salvaggio taught me so much when it came to set design, scenic painting, and props. She’s the reason I went to grad school. She taught me to always push forward and do the best I can.”

And as she continues learning in the theatre world, Hayner has her sights set on the biggest stage of all: Broadway (“that would mean I made it big!”)

But as for what show she’d choose to work on? That’s a tougher question.

“Being able to work on ANY Broadway show would make me happy, but The Phantom of the Opera was the first musical theatre show I ever saw on Broadway, and it’s the one that made me fall in love with musical theatre. Wicked is another top favorite of mine, and I would love to work on the Grimmerie, a prop book used throughout the show.”