The Performer's Checklist

Before You Leave the House

1. Do I have ALL my costume pieces?
2. Do I have all footwear?
3. Do I have my music/background tape?
4. Do I have normal clothes/footwear to wear home/to cast parties? (I decided to just wear my costume to the theatre once, but then realized I hadn't brought anything normal to wear to the cast party)

Last Minute Checklist

Before you go out on that stage, leave yourself at least 15 minutes to answer the following:

1. Do I have to go to the bathroom?
2. Are all my buttons/zippers/snaps done up? (I learned this one the hard way)
3. Is anything showing that shouldn't be?
4. Do I have all my props?
5. Are my teeth clean, and my breath fresh? Do I need to put on more deoderant? (your fellow cast members will thank you)
6. Is my voice warmed up? Have I stretched all muscle groups?
7. Did I put foundation makeup on my ears?
8. Does my hair need another bobby pin? Can I jump up and down without it shaking?
9. Are subsequent costumes/props ready in the appropriate places? Do I have someone ready to help me with quick costume changes?

Things You Should Always Keep In Your 'Performance Emergency Kit'

• bobby pins, hair brush, hairspray
• safety pins
• needle and various colours of thread
• deoderant -- there is nothing worse than a chorus member who smells bad
• an extra pair of tights/nylons
• clear nailpolish, nail clipper and nail file (for serious breaks and to mend nylons)
• cough drops (Fisherman's Friends and Ricola work best for singers)
• Blistex or Chapstick
• notepad and pen/pencil
• Kleenex
• hand cream
• waterbottle and straw (so you don't mess up your makeup)
• bandaids and disinfectant
• moist towlettes (think a big can of baby wipes) and anti-bacterial hand lotion
• It's usually good to have the lipstick you're using at close hand; if you don't reapply, your lips disappear under the lights by the end of the show. -- Caitlin

E-mail us your suggestions for things to add to the kit.

Comments (4) >>

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written by Allie, May 16, 2008

Cool! I'll print this out and post it backstage!

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written by Johnna Leary, August 13, 2008

I reccomend including some breath mints or dissolving strips in your kit too, in case you ever need them quickly before a stage kiss or close-contact romantic scene.

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written by Emily Traub, August 18, 2008

For women, feminine products. I learned this the hard way opening night of one of my shows . There is nothing worse then having nothing at hand minutes away from places.

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written by Hannah Palumbo, November 05, 2009

I agree about femenine products! i start mine every time i do a school play and have since i was 11. (very unlucky) And also notes regarding entraces and a wooly jumper or fan are'nt bad ideas, nothing worse than ugly goosebumps on stage or being sweaty and bright red.

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