10 things touring taught me
Posted by on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 2:04 pm
Hey, it’s Daryl. Sorry it took any of us so long to update this blog. We’ve all been really busy since November, what with the SM “It’s Christmas: The Musical” National Tour, the AAVA Christmas Concert, “You Can’t Stop the Beat!”, and, most recently, the school tour of “The Princess and the Red Carp”! It’s been crazy, but amazing. I can only wish all jobs in the world are as fun as the one we have. It’s not easy, but it’s all really worth the blood, sweat, and tears (okay, no one has bled yet, so maybe injured toes and joints, sweat, and more sweat).
I’m taking time out of my semi-lazy Monday afternoon to share what I got out of the tour, in almost the same spirit as Michael Kostroff’s “Letters from Backstage: The Adventures of a Touring Stage Actor” (read it if you haven’t, it’s quite funny). I’m hoping the other people I toured with will share what they learned, but if they don’t, I hope my lessons suffice. Take them to heart!
1. Bring sufficient clothing. Pack for an extra day (or two, if you’re me). You never know what can happen on a tour. Inclement weather can cancel road trips and flights! Thankfully, none of us got stuck anywhere, but being prepared can’t hurt, right?
2. Always bring a sweater in your carry on luggage. It doesn’t matter what time of the year you’re touring. Chances are, the plane ride, the airport, or your destination will be too cold. If none of them are, turn up the air conditioning in your hotel room so you can use it! You’ll sleep better!
3. Bring a neck pillow. Domestic flights may be short, but if you’re doing a tight tour, expect to be on a plane as early as 4am (that means you need to be at the airport by 2). Whether or not you had a show the previous day, you will lose sleep if you have a flight that early and/or if you wait til the last minute before you start packing (which I did). Also, domestic flights do not carry neck pillows. If you forget yours, take out the sweater you brought (told you it would come in handy), wring it, and wrap it around your neck. Makeshift neck pillows are better if your sweater is thick. Neck pillows are especially handy if you’re seated in an Exit Row seat. Those seats, while offering you extra leg room, do not recline (you will have something like a love-hate relationship with it).
4. Pack early. Or at the very least, know what to pack. We’re operating under the idea that you’re doing a tight tour, so packing early will save you time and may even get you a few extra hours of sleep, especially if you’re coming straight from a show. It’s important to remember, though, that sometimes, merely knowing what to pack may not be enough. You could end up underestimating the whole packing process and taking more time than you expected when you actually begin doing it. Also, Packing early can help ensure that you have everything you need, tickets and passports and valid IDs included. In my experience, I tend to forget things when I’m in a hurry.
5. Locate the nearest pharmacy and bathroom. Doing a tour can be tricky, because no two locations are exactly alike (unless you’re doing an SM tour, in which case, you’re pretty much bound to know your way around if you pay enough attention). Knowing where the nearest pharmacy can be handy in the event that you need emergency medication, supplies (like water), and make-up. And of course, knowing where the bathroom is is a basic human need. (For your reference, Watsons pharmacies in SM malls are almost always in a central location, and bathrooms can be found near the entrances/exits and the food court. Food courts are either on Lower Ground or Second, and almost never on the main floor (Upper Ground)).
6. Bring your own mirror. Sometimes, tour organizers can forget one of the most important things in a dressing room: a mirror. And when they don’t, the mirrors they provide won’t always be enough. A single mirror can barely help a 7-strong cast prepare in the amount of time they’re given (usually about 1-2 hours).
7. Don’t share make-up. And don’t share sponges and brushes, either. While sharing promotes a sense of community (which is good), it can also promote the spreading of bacteria and viruses (which is bad). Sharing also takes time, which is something you won’t always have a lot of. I suggest getting your own set of make-up and supplies. It will save you in the end.
8. Learn to do your own make-up. If someone helps you put it on the first time, pay attention to what they do and how they do it. That way, you won’t have to ask for help all the time (which can be difficult if that person doesn’t tour with you), and you’ll be able to prepare on your own! Less stress for everyone involved! A stressed actor is, well, stressed, which can prove detrimental if you’re not focused.
9. Always have proof of identification. You will need to present ID when you check in at the airport, and when you access a performance venue before or after hours. You will also need ID when accessing a restricted area of the venue. Sadly, simply saying, “I’m with the tour” doesn’t prove your identity. You must remember to abide by the regulations of the venue, especially when it comes to security protocol.
10. Bring your sense of humor. Touring can be stressful and exhausting, yes, but being wound up never helped anybody. In my opinion, any kind of stress is contagious. When something goes wrong, or when something doesn’t turn out the way you expect it to, relax and find the energy to laugh. It’ll keep you on level ground, I promise.
