Joe Lynn (property master)
Encyclopedia
Joe Lynn is a Tony Award
winning 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 and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. He began his career in props in 1915.
for his work as the master propertyman on Miss Liberty
. To date, he is the only propertyman to have won a Tony Award.
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. 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.
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
winning American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
theatrical Property master
Property master
The property master is an artistic and organizational employee in a film, television or theatrical production who is responsible for purchasing, acquiring and/or manufacturing any props needed for a production...
who worked primarily on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
. He is best known for creating the properties on the original Broadway productions such as Death of a Salesman and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. He began his career in props in 1915.
Awards
In 1949, Lynn received the Tony Award for Best Stage TechnicianTony Award for Best Stage Technician
The Tony Award for Stage Technician was first given in 1948 and was last presented fifteen years later in 1963.-1950s:* 1950: Joe Lynn, master propertyman – Miss Liberty...
for his work as the master propertyman on Miss Liberty
Miss Liberty
Miss Liberty is a musical with a book by Robert E. Sherwood and music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. It is based on the sculpting of the Statue of Liberty in 1886...
. To date, he is the only propertyman to have won a Tony Award.
Influence
In 1955, Ming Cho LeeMing Cho Lee
Ming Cho Lee is a Chinese-born American theatrical set designer and a longtime professor at the Yale School of Drama....
was an unpaid assistant to Jo Mielziner
Jo Mielziner
Joseph "Jo" Mielziner was an American theatrical scenic, and lighting designer born in Paris, France. He is "the most successful set designer of the Golden era of Broadway", and worked on both stage plays and musicals.-Career:He was the son of artist Leo Mielziner, Sr...
. 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. 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.
Broadway productions
- 1936 Ethan Frome - National TheatreNederlander TheatreDavid T. Nederlander Theatre is a 1,232-seat Broadway theatre located at 208 West 41st Street, in New York City . One of the Nederlander Organization's nine Broadway theatres, the legacy of the theatre began with David Tobias Nederlander, for whom the theatre is named.Built by Walter C...
- 1942 The Eve of St. Mark - Cort TheatreCort TheatreThe Cort Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 138 West 48th Street in the Theatre District of midtown Manhattan in New York City...
- 1943 A New Life - Royale Theatre
- 1949 Death of Salesman - Morosco TheatreMorosco TheatreThe Morosco Theatre was a legitimate theatre located at 217 West 45th Street in the heart of the theater district in midtown-Manhattan, New York, United States....
- 1949 Miss Liberty - Imperial Theatre - Tony Award
- 1955 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - Morosco Theatre
- 1961 Under the Yum-Yum Tree - Henry Miller's Theatre
- 1963 The Private Ear and The Public Eye - Morosco Theatre