Cheers everyone!
If you know me, you know that I’m currently in a show called Carousel. It’s such a fun experience and I’m absolutely loving it. I’m also trying to savor each and every moment so that I will remember the details of rehearsals and tech and performances forEVER.
Friday was a special day for the company of Carousel, because after 4 weeks of rehearsal, we moved into the theater space! We also got to move our stuff into the dressing rooms and get comfy in the green room (the communal hangout area). Since the run of the show is 2 months and will include at least 3 big holidays (4 if we extend the run an extra week!), we want to decorate our doors and dressing rooms with holiday decorations! I’m still nesting and decorating the backstage space, which I share with three other lovely cast member ladies, so I thought it would be fitting to write an article showing you all how to make any workspace or comfy place your own!
- First and foremost, keep it organized. Who wants to arrive every day to an unorganized, messy space? It’s certainly not comfortable for anyone and it only makes it harder to find your makeup/bobby pins/supplies/etc.
- Decorate for the holidays! Unless you're Scrooge, you have NO reason to ignore the holidays, even if that just means putting a tiny Christmas tree in the corner of your desk. Ideas include: a string of lights around the mirror, tiny ornaments hung strategically around the area, garlands of anything on the wall, candy canes, tiny Christmas trees, etc. Whatever it is, go big or go home!
- Bring cups/mugs for drinks! It's fine to use the community silverware and cups, but it's even better to use your own, especially if they're holiday-themed or have sentimental value.
- Print out pictures of you with your friends/family and post them around the mirror/wall. It's like they're there with you every day (and it makes even your worst days suck less).
- Have a drawer/cupboard for nonperishable snacks. Because hard work makes all of us hungry. :-)
- Similar to the first point, use organizing bins/cups/containers. They're cute and help make you find things more easily!
- Tie ribbons on handles. It makes your space personalized and bright!
- Keep an emergency kit with hair ties, bandaids, deodorant, mints/gum, etc. somewhere handy and safe. You'll thank yourself later!
- Clean off any open spaces, every day. Especially since we are in the middle of flu season, we can't risk spreading or receiving germs. No sickness this winter!
- Keep some earbuds and/or a speaker nearby, for when you want some music to keep you focused or when you're having a dance party with friends! Bonus: Always have some Spotify playlists ready to go for those situations.
- Get cozy! Have a pair of slippers to wear around the dressing rooms/your work area and a fuzzy blanket or sweater. Long days are infinitely better when you can spend them in cozy clothes. :-)
- Use a placemat, especially if your workspace is a backstage dressing room with makeup, because you don't want to get the actual vanity dirty! (This goes for any workspace, but it's very important for the actors'.)
- Have hygiene tools at the ready! Keep things like a tooth brush and some soap to make you feel clean after a long day.
And there ya go! Get workin'!
