The Backstage Badger

I'm sorry I haven't posted in four months! Senior year gets absolutely crazy and it'll get worse once vacation is over and midterms begin.

Until I get an official post, take a look at the Backstage Badger tumblr (http://thebackstagebadger.tumblr.com/). It's the greatest theatre blog—well, in terms of the backstage crew. It's still really reliable and true! (Here's a BB post relating to an earlier post of mine.)

Memoirs of the Costume Intern

This summer has been one that I will not forget– at least, not for a while. That is partly because of how I spent it. For five weeks, I worked for this theatre company in my hometown where the productions they've done recently starred all children, only because the summer camps they run attract a lot of children quickly, and I mean a lot of children.

So, I worked as the costume intern for the summer. Besides the nonexistent pay, it was one of the most rewarding experiences I ever had. I felt as though I made a major contribution to making sure the shows are running smoothly, which they did for the most part. If something went wrong, the audience never noticed but there would be panic backstage. Whenever I was thanked for my work, I would leave the theater with a big smile on my face and I would be in such a good mood for the rest of the day.

I honestly enjoyed working with costumes. It's easy to see what fits on a kid, what doesn't, and labeling which pieces of clothing belonged to which kid— I have to give them credit, they were very good at keeping track what belonged to them. And because of that job, I know how to sew buttons onto a shirt and how to iron. I think one of the tricks to become a good costumer is to be open to some compromise, but not all of it.  If a kid doesn't like their costume, the costumer should hear their complaints, but it's the costumer's final decision on what the actor should wear, not the other way around. 

I only worked for four shows– that's how many the company offers for the summer– but I saw costumes of all shapes and sizes, textures, designs, as well as the accessories that went with them. The picture below was when we did The Little Mermaid Jr. and this was for the girl playing Sebastian. The four shows we put on: (in this order) Les Misérables: School Edition, The Little Mermaid Jr, Fame Jr, and Guys and Dolls Jr.

Of course, while working– paid or not– you're not bound to like all of your co-staff nor the clients (well, mainly the kids, although you have to love theater moms).  Out of the 35 kids I had to help costume per week, there was; at least one kid that I couldn't stand— and I tried to, I really did— one that abosultely hated their costume, one I secretly fangirled over, one that I genuinely respected, and one who kept having costume troubles every show. 

And for two weeks (same camper, ergo same mother), there was a stage mom who was always very protective over what her daughter wore onstage and asked Cheryl (the costumer's name) if she could help in any way. During one show, the daughter took off her jacket as  she thought it would show time had passed in the show. Out of nowhere, the mother is backstage, demanding for her daughter to put it on because her entire bra was showing. (In all actuality, you could barely see her bra strap and it looked as though she was wearing a camisole underneath.) It was completely ridiculous. 

One thing I noticed about these kids was that they were very cliquèy. They liked the people they knew were going to be at the camp and rarely bonded with anyone else outside their little group. Plus, at their auditions (yes I know, they shouldn't have auditions if it was a camp, but they do), they easily sized up their other cast members, already precasting who's going to get what role and it annoys the crap out of me. You're supposed to have fun at theater camp, not feel incredibly insecure. 

I have memories– both good and bad– I can share from all four shows. Each show touched me in its own way. I enjoyed Les Misérables because they were the oldest cast (the youngest was 13) and they all had done theatre before, so they knew what to do and how to make sure they got themselves onstage on time. I knew a good portion of them already so I felt sad when they had to leave- however, they were the most cliquèy out of the four. The picture below was the set of Les Mis.

The Little Mermaid Jr. was such a shock to me, when comparing its cheerful costumes to the seriousness and darkness of Les Mis. It was the most colorful - well, there were a lot of children playing fish, but they had a lot of tiny accessories and glitter and it just looked so Disney. There weren't that many problems that happened with the show. But these kids were very hyper, and so it made me nervous how we managed to have three shows with them- some as young as eight!

Fame Jr. was a perfect example of a show having good and bad. Some good things included how I had gotten a cameo appearance- actually two- during every performance. Plus, I wasn't really needed for the kids to change backstage. Either some had very minor ones they could handle or were changing right offstage, in the wings. But some bad things happened too. First off, they had a million questions, complained quite often and never listened when they were given directions. They just liked to swarm and be everywhere, it was aggravating. The costume room became the unofficial staff room between shows and when the door was closed, the kid better be dying if they came in.  Plus, this show has a pretty deep message about leaving something behind and working hard in high school, and the majority of the kids didn't even graduate from elementary school yet, and they didn't really capture the emotion of the show! The picture below was what I wore for my cameo (I pretended to be the school's costumer, ha!)

Guys and Dolls Jr. was a mix also, although it wasn't as bad as Fame. This show was the only one that I knew fairly well before the first rehearsal started. A couple of kids I knew from Les Mis were in this show as well. And I really liked some of the costumes. I had to hover over the girl who played Adelaide because she had a lot of quick changes- a bathroom offstage had to become her dressing room because she didn't have enough time to run upstairs. I also had to run everywhere because there were a couple of girls who had a lot of quick changes. They had to be girls for one scene and then in 5 minutes, they were police officers on the other side of the theater. And the girl who played General Cartwright had about 30 to 45 seconds to change from a doll to General Cartwright. It was exhausting, but when I had the chance to watch it, it was good.

The majority of the crew was pretty tolerable to work with. Everyone there had their own jobs to handle and, although we complained of our own jobs, we showed appreciation and admiration for the others. However, everyone had a problem with the Prop master and his intern/assistant- who was his college girlfriend. He rarely conversed with his other interns on what his plans were for props and apparently he blew the majority of the company's summer prop budget at an auction finding things for Les Mis- it was rumored he bought $25 scissors. 

I adore Cheryl, she was the greatest boss I could've ever had. She was the kind of person I want to grow up to be! She was so nice to me— and so patient. It was nice to learn from her and to talk to her. If I return back to the company next year, I would definitely want to work with her again! 

Did I enjoy this summer? You bet. Would I work there again next year? There's a good chance I will— you never know! And I will try to be up-to-date on my posts! 

I love vacation.  It's so nice and relaxing.  It also gives me time to update my posts.

Sorry for the delay, yet again.  This is more work than I thought.  I haven't completely forgotten about this though.  Future posts might include musicals not known (i.e. Gone Missing and Hands on a Hard Body), as well as regular straight plays (i.e. Peter and the Starcatcher and Death of a Salesman).  Until I gain more info, I'll leave this questionnaire. 

1. Favorite show? I change them all the time, but currently, it's Godspell.
2. Favorite role you've played? Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical Jr.
3. Favorite show you've been in? Godspell Jr., it was the only one where I didn't deal with a ton of drama. (Drama, get it? Ha, I slay myself!)
4. Number of Broadway shows seen? None........ for now.
5. Last show you were in? RENT School Edition
6. Favorite song from a show? "Now (It's Just the Gas) from Little Shop of Horrors
7. Favorite dance number from a show you were in? "Cross the Line" from Big! The Musical
8. Dream role(s)?  TOO MANY. Madame Giry (Phantom of the Opera), Ellen (Miss Saigon), Smitty (How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying), Adelaide (Guys and Dolls), Jan or Rizzo (Grease)
9. Show you would like to see? Any show except Cats. But lately, I've really wanted to see The Little Mermaid, Annie Get Your Gun and Godspell again.
10. Show(s) that makes you cry? Les Miserables, Godspell, Miss Saigon, RENT, Chess, South Pacific
11. Show(s) that makes you happy? Hairspray, Hair, Book of Mormon, Mamma Mia, Legally Blonde, The Lion King, Wicked, Avenue Q, Singin' In The Rain
12. Ever worn a wig for a show? Yes I have, for Cinderella: The World's Favorite Fairy Tale.
13. Favorite costume worn? There are some I've liked because it's from my own wardrobe, but none are my favorite yet.
14. Cast you're closest with? RENT School Edition
15. Favorite movie based on a Broadway show? I'd say Les Miserables, but I haven't officially seen it yet. So I'll say the Charlie Brown TV series from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
16. Show you would mostly like to see? The Little Mermaid

Day Thirty: Newsies

Once again, I'm terribly sorry for my slacking on the posts, but midterms are always a pain in the butt!

Anyway, we're at our final day of the countdown! Woohoo! Today's post is my all time favorite musical, which is Newsies. I've always had an admiration for guys that can dance as well as they can!

I can't type a summary of the show, I have no time today. Lo siento! Here's the synopsis ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newsies_(musical) )

So, for today's post, the video is from the Tony Awards of 2012 (can't wait for the 2013 show!), where Newsies performed One and For All and Seize The Day, with a little prologue by Nick Jonas, and the main character, Jack, played by Jeremy Jordan!

Howdy all! I'm dreadfully sorry I haven't been around to post in around a month(?);  I've been dealing with a lot of theatre turmoil, which I'll talk about.

So, in the past month my school did the production of RENT and we killed it! For our final night, we oversold (and by that, I mean we had to add rows of chairs in front of the audience because we didn't have enough room)!

Now here comes the depressing part, which will lead to today's topic. So yesterday, I auditioned for Phantom of the Opera, and ever since I was a little girl, I had always imagined playing Madame Giry. I love her character, she's so bad-ass! She doesn't have to say anything to get people to quiet down. I've always admired her.

Anyway, my audtioners and I discovered the cast list later that night. I was cast in ensemble and my best friend, pessimistic that the theatre group has been pre-casting all of their productions, was cast as a lead. To be specific, Madame Giry. It crushed me.

(I know, I sound like I should be on Jerry Springer with the subtitle "My Best Friend Took My Dream Role.") This morning, I couldn't talk to her without starting to cry. I guess I'm so frustrated and disappointed in myself. The past shows I've been in (the majority of my theatre career), I've been cast in ensemble. I didn't mind when I was younger because I was inexperienced, but as I got older, I felt the harder I tried, I would end up upset and reverting to what I'm currently doing now, eating my feelings away. 

At this point, you're wondering, "What the hell is this post?" and you're about to click off, but don't yet, because I have something that will help you!

What To Do When You Lost The Part You Wanted 

(This can be true for not getting the job, not asking a guy/girl out, your partner broke up/divorced you, etc., just change the guidelines a little bit!)

1. Cry. You are not making yourself feel better by keeping it all inside. In fact, you're purposely putting yourself in a bad and upset mood. Let it all out! (As for me, I'm saving my crying for the shower tonight.) Your body releases hormones that make you feel better after you cry. 
2. Talk To Someone. Let it be known, but not as shouting and throwing a temper tantrum. Just talk to a friend or parent or someone you really trust and calmly tell them (or cry, if you're still upset). They'll understand.
3. Congratulate The Person. Even if it kills you on the inside, it's still the proper thing to do and it shows you are the bigger person. (Whatever you do, please do not destroy any of their property. This includes, but not limited to; houses, cars, electronic devices, clothing, etc. You'll feel embarrassed about it afterwards.)
4. Give Yourself Time To Heal. This will not pass easily, especially if you really wanted the part (or job, etc.). The human heart is used to repairing itself. Do some other activities that you didn't have the time for before!
5. Be Optimistic. Even when you think you shouldn't be and you have every right to loathe, think ahead. Life does get better! You'll have the opportunity to audition for more parts and you will have your time to shine in the part you'll rightfully earn one day!
6. Smile. It'll make you feel better, even if you're in no mood to smile. Studies have shown that the action of smiling helps people feel better. (I don't know where, but I believe it).

Hope this helps!

Day Twenty-Nine: Fiddler on the Roof

Sorry I've been gone so long, my pets! First show week, then it's me catching a cold. And around 2 weeks before my next audition.

Today's post is a musical that I would enjoy to be involved in (whether it's acting, directing, etc.) and that is Fiddler on the Roof. I'm not sure why I do, but a good portion of my friends have done it, and I like the story line!

I'm terrible at explaining all of it, but from what I know, it's about this guy, named Teyve, who fathers five children and tries to uphold tradition in his family while dealing with the ever-changing political and social landscape. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiddler_on_the_Roof#Synopsis)

My favorite song from the show has to be "Do You Love Me?" I find it funny how in the beginning, she's like , "It's your stomach talking."

I hate show week.

While show week is (somewhat) fun and does pay off in the end, it's just a constant pain in the butt the days before the show is actually performed, for people.

So, I have been working on Day Twenty-Nine, but, as most people should know, I'll spend more time at school (the theater, to be exact) than at home. I honestly only have time to eat, shower, do homework, and sleep. (I'm sacrificing sleep for you guys, this shows how much I care!)

So, I'll leave a quick theatre post I was originally gonna save for a later post, but it's an emergency.

Anyway, I don't know how many of you saw the 2012 Tony Awards, but it is the biggest theatre night for all of Broadway. Happens once a year, around mid-June, and announces everything theatre-related, from Best Costume Design to Best Broadway Musical (which, by the way, this year's was Once, one of my best theatre friends was freaking out about it). This clip, is the beginning of the show, with a little entertainment from the host, Neil Patrick Harris.

God, I love that man. So, this "song" is called "What if life were more like theatre?" (I have definitely asked that before) and I love it, it's simply great. (You might recognize a familiar face in the viewing.......)

Oh, by the way, the song that is ending at the beginning of the video is "Hello!" from the musical Book of Mormon.

Day Twenty- Eight: Little Shop of Horrors

Happy 2013! Today's post is a musical that features either a character that's so bad/cruel/evil you love them OR has a musical character you love to hate. That certain character is Orin Scrivello D.D.S. from Little Shop of Horrors. I think I love Orin because he's just so funny and comedic, you often forget he's a villain!

So, the show starts with this big booming voice (similar to God's) warning the audience of a "deadly threat to its very existence." Through the three "urchins" (who end up narrating the story in their own style), they introduce the main characters: Seymour, a poor young man who's also an orphan on Skid Row; Audrey, a pretty blonde with tacky outfits dating a sadist dentist; Mushnik, their boss at Mushnik's Skid Row Florists.

Seymour comes across this strange and peculiar plant that looked "like a venus fly-trap." (He obtained it while shopping in the flower district and after the "total eclipse of the sun," it appeared). The plant is named Audrey II due to Seymour's undying love for the actual Audrey. The plant unknowingly begins to wither away, causing Seymour to be in distress. After he pricked his finger on a rose thorn, he notices the plant opens its mouth when the finger is moved near it. Seymour now understands the plant lives off of blood and begins feeding it blood, causing it to grow exponentially.

The plant, when placed near the store window, attracts all sorts of business and revenue for the store. Audrey's sadistic boyfriend, a dentist named Orin Scrivello (D.D.S). He wears leather, rides a motorcycle and enjoys his job due to him gaining pleasure for causing people pain. Orin comes to the store to pick Audrey up for their date, where Orin talks to Seymour about taking the plant and leaving Skid Row.

Mushnik, overhearing this, realizes that his business' success is from the plant (and Seymour, who originally had brought in the plant in). He knows that Seymour's an orphan, so he talks him into becoming his legal son (purposely to keep him in his sights). Seymour accepts it, despite him being constantly yelled at by Mushnik.

Meanwhile, Seymour is growing weak from him feeding his own blood to the plant. When he stops feeding it, the plant becomes animated- to the point where it could talk- and demands to be fed. Seymour makes another 'deal with the devil'; if Seymour keeps feeding the plant, the plant will grant all of Seymour's desires, which include dating Audrey. Seymour originally refuses, but after watching Orin abuse Audrey, he is manipulated again to go along with the plan.

Seymour heads to Orin's dentistry for a late-night appointment, planning on killing him with a revolver. However, Seymour doesn't have the nerve and chickens out shooting him. Orin, meanwhile, has been getting high on nitrous oxide but realizes he cannot take the gas mask off and asphyxiates while Seymour watches. After confirming he's dead, Seymour chops up Orin's body to give to the hungry plant, which grows.

The flower shop is still booming with business, with Seymour and Audrey struggling to keep up. Audrey admits to feeling guilty about Orin's death because she had secretly wished it and that she deserved to date a guy like him. The two tell of their feelings for one another; Seymour vows to always be there for Audrey. The couple talk about creating a new life together; meanwhile, Seymour feels as though Audrey loves him only for his money and that if they left, he would lose it all and she wouldn't love him anymore.

The police are investigating Orin's death (they don't have much evidence), and Mushnik confronts Seymour about his suspicions. Mushnik then realizes (from the evidence found at the shop and a motive, which was Seymour's new girlfriend) that Seymour was the one who killed Orin. Audrey II tells Seymour he will lose everything if he turned himself in.

Seymour tells Mushnik he put the days' receipts inside the plant for safekeeping. Mushnik climbs into the plant's open mouth but is devoured by Audrey II. Seymour now runs the flower shop and is surrounded by reporters, salesman, agents, and lawyers promising him fame and fortune. Seymour realizes that it's only a matter of time before Audrey II will have to eat again. He considers killing the plant, but fears he will lose Audrey's love if he does, so he decides not to.

Seymour tries to work on a speech for his lecture tour when Audrey II demands for more food. Seymour's about to kill it when Audrey comes into the shop, asking about Mushnik's trip to visit his sister. Seymour discovers that Audrey would still love him even if he didn't have the plant. He decides that the plant will die after the LIFE magazine interview the next day. Audrey, frightened by Seymour's rantings, leaves the shop.

Audrey isn't able to sleep due to Seymour's odd behavior and goes to the shop. There, she finds the plant begging her for water. She approaches to water it, not realizing it feeds on blood. Audrey gets pulled into the plant's mouth and the plant begins its feeding. Seymour arrives and attacks the plant in order to try and save Audrey. He pulls her out, but she is mortally wounded. She asks that when she dies ("which would be very shortly"), she would be fed to the plant so the two can always be together. She dies in his arms, and Seymour follows her request.

The next day, some salesman (Patrick Martin from the World Botanical Enterprises) comes by the shop, asking to take small samples of Audrey II so he can grow and sell them to every household in America. Seymour now realizes the plant's evil plan; world domination. He tries to kill the plant by shooting, cutting and poisoning it, but the plant has grown too strong. In a last attempt, Seymour runs directly at it with a machete, only to be eaten by the plant.

The three "urchins" (Crystal, Chiffon and Ronnette) end the show by warning the audience to not "feed the plant."

The song highlighting my dentist is the song "Dentist", which is Orin explaining what he does.