What We Do...

that you don't see...

Have you ever wondered about what happens backstage during a theatre perfomance? Well, let me tell you...

1) We talk about you. Yep, we judge the audience and say you're either "great" or "terrible." If it's a comedy and you laugh at the funny bits, you're great. If you look like you need an electric shock, you're terrible. Also, we curse you if you put your feet on the stage, if your phone starts ringing (and you don't turn it off) and we talk about who's in the first few rows (since that's all we can see, due to the lights in our eyes).

2) Stripping/streaking. There is usually a half-naked person running around backstage. Sometimes it's for a reason, sometimes it's not. When an actor gets offstage, he/she will often be pulling clothes off while running around for a quick costume change. We actors become less modest as we do more shows. Seriously, we'll just about change in front of anyone.

3) Dancing. If there's music onstage, there's actors dancing backstage. It's how we cope with the slightly boredom that sometimes occurs when we have a long time of not being onstage. And often it's the same dance to the same music, night after night. And oftentimes the dances are straight out of the 70s and 80s. Occasionally you'll see a tango.

4) Video games. Yep, sometimes there will be fierce competition with hand-held video devices. Name-calling goes with that.

5) Eating. I don't know why, but there's usually an overabundance of chocolate and sugar-infested foods in the dressing rooms. Probably to keep us on our toes and hyper.

6) Cursing. Yep, someone's usually cursing at someone... or something. Especially if a frantic search for a prop or a costume is in occurrence.

7) Actors doing situps and pushups. Another way to beat boredom.

8) The singing of showtunes. Especially "Rent." Who knows why.

9) Lonnie and I played "guess the noise" one night with the odd sounds we heard from the audience.

10) Practical jokes. Example, punching holes into a sandwich so that there's a smiley face on the bread. And then putting green olives in the eye holes. And giving it to an actor onstage.

Cheers!