My theater company, Always Love Lucy Theatre, recently closed a sold-out six-show run of “Hello to Rose: One Act Plays by Tennessee Williams.” As a small-scale privately-funded operation (thank you, donors!), there are not a lot of people involved and we do all the behind-the-scenes work ourselves. We rent the theater space from a proprietor, but managing ourselves once in there is all on us.
Prior to starting the company, I had worked for an initiative that held hip hop summits for hundreds of kids and one invaluable tip I picked up was making a go-to box full of all the little things you will definitely need and don’t want to go running out looking for—especially as showtime nears and you are pressed for time for everything.
I suggest getting something sturdy, like a big Tupperware box, with a lid that won't fly off. Fill it with:
- Highlighter and pens (keep two of these in your own bag as well)
- Tape: scotch tape, masking tape, packing tape. You will use every kind of tape several times. Don't believe me? Go to your event without tape and watch yourself run to CVS in five minutes.
- Scissors
- Glue
- Twine
- Tape measure
- Safety pins
- Sewing kit
- Funnel (for pouring liquids)
- Makeup remover and wet wipes, especially if actors have no access to a sink backstage
- Band-Aids
- A padlock (in case you need to lock something. If you rent a U-Haul to move set pieces, you will need it for the back door. Make an extra key.)
- Something to spray away the musty smell backstage
READ: 60+ Theater Terms Every Actor Should Know
Now for items that don’t in the box but are necessary to bring:
- A binder with the script in it so actors can check their lines. No matter how great people are in rehearsal, we all get nervous, and it can only be a good thing to have the script on hand before the show.
- An extension cord
- Garbage bags. You will need to remove the garbage every single night you are in the theater. Remind actors and crew to remove food waste immediately throughout the day so it doesn’t start to smell.
And a few bits of housekeeping to take care of after load-in:
- Find a spot in the dressing room to keep your go-to box so you aren’t hunting for it
- Break down the boxes your props came in and tie them up with twine. Keep any bubble wrap with them. Find a place to store them—you will need them when it’s time to move out of the theater.
- Clean up your theater, preferably before actors arrive. The previous occupants usually leave it in decent shape but while you have the time, locate a broom or vacuum and make it look good. You will have paying customers coming, so this makes it nice and welcoming.
- Wipe down your mirrors with water and a balled-up piece of newspaper. Believe me, it works; it won't make your mirror streaky with newsprint and you will see a major difference.
- Use a wet wipe from the go-to box to clean the old makeup and other stuff off the dressing room tables.
- Use masking tape to put up the actors’ headshots.
- Optional: I use my own furniture as set pieces and clean/shine it with an old rag and walnut oil from the grocery store. I then use a paper towel to absorb the oil from the surfaces before putting any props on it.
And now, on with the show! Break a leg!
Saima Huq, MPH is a public health researcher who has lived concurrent lives as a personal trainer, print model, zoo tour guide, and the founder and producer of Always Love Lucy Theatre, which stages classic plays featuring people actors of color and/or over age 40. She has been to 30 countries, most recently traveling alone across Vietnam. Her writings have been published on Stagebuddy and HelloGiggles. She lives in New York City.
Check out Backstage’s theater audition listings!
The views expressed in this article are solely that of the individual(s) providing them,
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Backstage or its staff.
