Joe Lynn (property master)

Joe Lynn was an American theatrical Property master who worked primarily on Broadway. He is best known for creating the properties on the original Broadway productions such as Death of a Salesman[1] and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. He began his career in props in 1915.[2]

Awards

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In 1949, Lynn received the Tony Award for Best Stage Technician for his work as the master propertyman on Miss Liberty.[3] To date, he is the only propertyman to have won a Tony Award.[4]

Influence

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In 1955, Ming Cho Lee was an unpaid assistant to Jo Mielziner. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof had a particularly tricky bar unit. Joe Lynn told him he would have to build it as they would never be able to find one to buy. Lee drew it so accurately that Lynn could build it directly from the drawing.[5] Lynn told Mielziner, "This kid is OK. I can build from this drawing," which led to Lee's first paid job as a second assistant to Mielziner.[6]

Broadway productions

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References

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  1. ^ The Pulitzer Prize archive: Drama, comedy awards 1917 – 1996, Volume 12, Part 4. Heinz-Dietrich Fischer. Walter de Gruyter, 1998.
  2. ^ "Correspondence", by Eugene Kinkead and Russell Maloney. The New Yorker, May 22, 1943; pg 14
  3. ^ The Tony Award: a complete listing with a history of the American Theatre Wing, Isabelle Stevenson, Sonia Ediff. Crown Pub., 1980
  4. ^ Hart, Eric (2010-10-04). "Why is there no Tony Award for Props?" Eric Hart's Prop Agenda, Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  5. ^ Designing and painting for the theatre, Lynn Pecktal, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1975, pg 241
  6. ^ USITT presents the designs of Ming Cho Lee, Delbert Unruh, United States Institute for Theatre Technology, 2006. pg 18.
  7. ^ "Kitchen of 'White Horse Inn'", by Bosley Crowther. The New York Times, November 22, 1936; pg X1
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