Which of the following is an example of a prop?

A prop is any object that is handled or used by performers during a theatrical performance to enhance storytelling and support the action on stage. In this context, a sword wielded by a character serves as a prime example of a prop. It is a tangible item that can assist in illustrating a character's role, intentions, or the context of the scene. The audience perceives it as part of the action and highlights the performance's dramatic elements.

In contrast, a character's dialogue constitutes the spoken words and lines that performers deliver, which do not qualify as physical props since they are not material items. Stage lighting falls under technical elements rather than props, as it involves illuminating the stage and creating mood but does not involve physical objects that actors manipulate. Similarly, a musical score is comprised of the auditory elements of a performance and does not involve physical items used by actors during the performance. These distinctions clarify why a sword is the only item listed that meets the criteria for being a prop.