A workshop focused on engineered objects and practical effects.
What began as building reliable effects for magicians, performers and practical effects has grown into a studio creating hero objects, practical effects and interactive pieces for theatre, TV, film, museums and themed events. The priority remains the same: objects and effects that work every time in front of an audience or a camera.
Where we began
Stagecraft Works started as a small workshop solving practical problems for live performers. Early projects involved creating dependable effects, hand-built mechanisms and objects that had to work under the unpredictable conditions of a stage show. Working closely with magicians, theatre makers and touring performers forged a simple principle:
If something fails in performance, the method doesn’t matter – the engineering wasn’t good enough.
That mindset became the foundation of the workshop as it expanded into larger and more technically demanding environments.
Where we are now
Today, Stagecraft Works builds hero objects, practical effects, engineered mechanisms and interactive installations for:
- Theatre and touring productions
- TV and streaming shows
- Film units and studio builds
- Museums, exhibitions and attractions
- Escape rooms and immersive experiences
- Themed and corporate events
Our work also appears in immersive dining experiences worldwide, where props and interactive set pieces must withstand nightly use, close audience interaction and fast resets. These projects often combine scenic fabrication, discreet electronics and performer-friendly mechanisms designed to support the story without revealing their method.
Along the way, our work has appeared in everything from intimate black-box shows to productions at the Sydney Opera House, and in teams behind Emmy award-winning television as well as work connected to the West End and Broadway. These experiences shaped our expectation that every build must withstand professional scrutiny, repeated handling and real-world performance demands.
Through all of this, our focus has stayed the same: engineered objects and practical effects that perform reliably, clearly and safely.
What we build
Our work sits between fabrication, engineering and storytelling. We create:
- Camera-safe hero objects for close-up and studio lighting
- Mechanical and electronic practical effects
- Interactive pieces for museums, escape rooms and themed events
- Scenic elements with integrated lighting, sensing or control systems
- Tour-ready rebuilds of existing props and mechanisms
- Embedded electronics and wireless triggers integrated into scenic or handheld objects
- Specialised rigs for specific shots where standard equipment won’t work
How we work
Each project begins with understanding the effect: what the audience should see and believe. We design mechanisms, electronics and structures that support the moment, then build and test prototypes to ensure reliability, silent operation and safe handling.
We provide clear reset paths, maintenance notes and handover documentation so performers and technicians can operate the piece confidently. We remain available for updates, duplicates and long-term support.