What Do You Do Backstage?- Page 2

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 10:34pm

I usually find a quiet spot that's away from the rest of the cast and it becomes MY SPOT. I get all the garbage and distractions of the day and just focus, focus, focus. It doesn't make me popular with the cast, but it does help me give good performances.

(PS--I've just been asked to do Applegate in DAMNED YANKEES this fall. I haven't gieven them a response yet)

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 11:25pm

Well, during intermission (from the second I walk off) I get dressed in my Act 2 costume. After that I usually get a cup of water and go over my lines for Act 2 (if I don't know them all that well.)

During the show, if i'm not on and I don't have a big part I do my quik change, talk to my friends (if I have time) and just go back onstage.

I always stay in character because when I do a show I make the character my own.

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:03am

There's always been a 'thing' I had to do for myself as an actor before each scence, but I didn't know until I studiod some Meisner that they were really a for of preperation. So usually, depending on how long I need for each one, I do that. When I have extra time, I just try to blow off a little steam. There were a efw instances when in a green room, I ended up in a discussion about sexuality...ahhhh, green rooms. Good times.

[thejcm]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:14am

I'm a huuuuge goof backstage. I take care of what needs to be taken care of in regards to costumes/props that I need to deal with before going back on, but once that's taken care of I'm a biiiig goof off.

If I'm in the chorus, I've never really have a chance to sit down and rest, at least in most shows I've done, they've been very heavy on chorus participation. It was a total cardio-workout being in this production of Rocky Horror I was in last year.

[EmieMarie]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 1:03am

I was the queen of egyptian ratslap during our highschool's footloose! I just hang out and blkow off steam in the green room, and then i feel way relaxed when i get onstage in character

[achancetofly]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 3:50am

Whoaah.

Okay, brdwybound2, when you were Kim in Bye Bye Birdie...did it happen to be the MET2's production of it at CSUN in Northridge, California?


EDIT: Nevermind, forget I said that. I was thinking of something else. Please ignore my retardedness.

Updated On: 8/11/06 at 03:50 AM

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 4:34am

cinabon- but i use eazy bake oven

[lifeisacabaret]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 8:32am

Make out with chorus boys.

[keatonbynumbers]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 8:43am

I like lifeisacabaret's style.

I'm not an actor, so I guess it doesn't really matter what I do backstage as I'm never ONstage, but I sleep backstage. That's why no one likes working with me; "There's our director, sleeping again. On opening night and everything."

[DBillyP]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 11:39am

Depends on the play. Currently, I am playing "Cletis" in LONE STAR, which opens tonight. LONE STAR is Act II, after LAUNDRY AND BOURBON. I come on about 22 minutes into ACT II, am on for 15 minutes, then have about 23 minutes until curtain call. I am getting A LOT of reading done!

However, the last show I did was ANGELS IN AMERICA-PART ONE as Joe Pitt. I had A LOT more to do in that play, so I tried to stay focused backstage, though not in character.

[hyperchet]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 11:44am

I run lines and stretch out my body.

[aidaxx3]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 11:45am

Cinna-bons....

Me and the cast usually hang out in our backstage hallway and play b.s. in the stairwell.

We also enjoy lip-singing along with the songs
Sometimes if I feel I'm not prepared for a show, I will sit down in my dressing room, and really focus on my character.
But it just depends on my mood.

[dirty rotten guy]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 11:52am

I always raid the green room and EAT EAT EAT. I get so damn hungry during the show! Brownies are usually my snack of choice...

[brdwybound2]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:47pm

Yes! I get so hungry during shows. The last show I was in was in this huge professional outdoor theatre, and they just built all these new dressing rooms that we weren't allowed to have food in. I guess this could fall under the "Most Unprofessional thing You've Witnessed in a Performance" thread also, but we would get soo hungry we'd call our friends during intermission and have them buy us food at the concession stand and bring it to our stage door. We couldn't help it, we were starving back there with a 7pm call and the show wasn't over until 11:30!

And achancetofly, I sadly live in Kansas City so I did not perform as Kim in California haha

[rose_pearl]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 1:18pm

Dollypop: Applegate is a great part. I say go for it!

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 1:27pm

i just chill backstage with people and talk- mostly about the show and such, "cast drama" and how nervous i am, and such
i havent really done a production in awhile though...i might next spring...depends on what our theatre is doing

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 1:40pm

Oh my God, I'm the worst actor ever. The second I go offstage, I'm me again. I'll go back to the dressing room, read over my script if I'm unsure what's next, then I'll do WHATEVER. Last show, I was always making tea every other scene for the lead because it was such a demanding role. I'm such a good guy. :) I guess that's in line with making CinnaBons, eh?

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 2:01pm

I think it depends on the role, and the show.

I've done everything from "stay in character" (if the role is really demanding), to rest, to goof off.

The funny thing is if a show is particularly "heavy" (as far as dramatically), I tend to want to goof off more... respecting the other actors around me, of course. I only want to "play" if they do too. For some reason going the opposite direction from the tone of the show actually worked to help my focus, mood and energy on stage. I needed those breaks to "lighten up" a bit. It depends on how far you dive mentally into an unstable character's head, too. I tend to "go for it," so there has to be a bit of a time-out period, if possible.

But I think I can relate to Dollypop's answer the best, as an overall response. I like to go to a "quiet place," where I can:

1) Save my energy
2) Concentrate on staying in a given mood (whatever that may be for the show)
3) Warm up a bit vocally, if need be.
4) Focus, focus, focus

EDIT: By the way, I'm not one that thinks "staying in character" off stage necessarily helps. It's whatever works for YOU. And I've known and worked with brilliant actors who break character the moment they're out of the sight lines. It's what you do ON stage that counts.

Updated On: 8/11/06 at 02:01 PM