Health Remedies Used By Theatre Professionals

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Health Remedies Used By Theatre Professionals#1

Posted: 1/20/15 at 6:30pm

Hello. I recently saw an article on some of the health remedies theatre people used to maintain their voice/help with a troubled throat. Since wintertime brings untold number of maladies, what do theatre pros use to protect their instrument? Just curious.

"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)

[baal]

Health Remedies Used By Theatre Professionals#2

Posted: 1/20/15 at 6:45pm

I'm a senior voice major, and one of the biggest things I've found and been taught is to keep a good amount of moisture in the air at home, especially while I'm sleeping. I also use a neti pot to keep my sinuses clear and gargle with warm salt water every night.

I have also come across a number of herbal remedies, my favorite being garlic honey which I consume just about every day, which helps not only the immune system but relieves soreness as well. Licorice root and slippery elm are great as well to help ease any inflammation in the throat.

[Pootie2]

Health Remedies Used By Theatre Professionals#2

Posted: 1/20/15 at 7:04pm

Throat lozenges--are these like cough drops or something more specialized for singers, I wonder?

#BoycottTrumplikePattiMurin

[MrSweetNAwful]

Health Remedies Used By Theatre Professionals#3

Posted: 1/20/15 at 7:10pm

Was this the article OP mentioned?


http://m.playbill.com/news/article/the-expert-guide-to-vocal-health-broadway-professionals-share-their-secrets-339589/P2

You're reminding me of people you hear at the movies asking questions every ten seconds, "Who is that? Why is that guy walking down the street? Who's that lady coming up to him? Uh-oh, why did that car go by? Why is it so dark in this theater?" - FindingNamo on strummergirl

"If artists were machines, then I'm just a different kind of machine...I'd probably be a toaster. Actually, I'd be a toaster oven because they're more versatile. And I like making grilled cheese" -Regina Spektor

"That's, like, twelve shows! ...Or seven." -Crazy SA Fangirl

"They say that just being relaxed is the most important thing [in acting]. I take that to another level, I think kinda like yawning and...like being partially asleep onstage is also good, but whatever." - Sherie Rene Scott

[baal]

Health Remedies Used By Theatre Professionals#4

Posted: 1/20/15 at 7:10pm

Cough drops usually contain menthol, which can numb and dry out the throat without actually doing anything about the inflammation. I use slippery elm bark lozenges which act as a demulcent and coat the throat. Thayer's is a good brand or you can make your own with raw honey and slippery elm powder.

Grether's Pastille's are really popular as well, but I didn't find them to be very effective.

[Pootie2]

Health Remedies Used By Theatre Professionals#5

Posted: 1/20/15 at 7:14pm

Thanks MrSweetNAwful, baal. Always wondered about that...
Interesting read!

#BoycottTrumplikePattiMurin

[Michael Kras]

Health Remedies Used By Theatre Professionals#6

Posted: 1/20/15 at 7:47pm

AVOID...

...Citrus. People will debate me on this, but citrus is too acidic and harsh on the vocal folds.

...Most cough drops. ESPECIALLY HALLS. Halls do absolutely nothing, you might as well be sucking on a Jolly Rancher.

...Ibuprofen, particularly Advil. It constricts blood flow which can wreak havoc on the vocal folds.

[Pootie2]

Health Remedies Used By Theatre Professionals#7

Posted: 1/20/15 at 7:51pm

^I grew up in the States, but when I visited relatives in some far off place, I was mystified why Halls were always in the candy aisle. :P

#BoycottTrumplikePattiMurin

[morosco]

Health Remedies Used By Theatre Professionals#8

Posted: 1/20/15 at 7:55pm

...you might as well be sucking on a Jolly Rancher.

that's hot