10 Tasks for Student Actors During Pre-Show

The hour before a performance starts is always an exciting and potentially nerve-wracking time. Everyone is feeling their feels, there are many moving parts and tasks that need to be completed in a limited amount of time, and everything needs to be done as calmly and efficiently as possible. But some students don’t know exactly what they’re supposed to be doing when they get backstage, and inadvertently add to the chaos.

For those students who need a little guidance, here are 10 tasks that student actors should complete prior during their pre-show time. Print this page out and post it backstage. Feel free to adapt/eliminate any tasks as appropriate to your show.

1. Know when your call time is. Different performers may have different call times for a variety of reasons. Always arrive a few minutes before your call time and SIGN IN on the attendance form. Don’t expect the assistant stage manager to chase you down or text you to find out where you are.

2. Review any notes or updates that have been sent out or posted from the director or stage manager. If the notes have been posted backstage, initial the sheet next to your notes to indicate that you have read them. If you need clarification on what the note means, be sure to ask the appropriate person (stage manager, director, costume or props team, etc.).

3. Stay hydrated. This will help you maintain your vocal health and keep you feeling well. Only drink plain water when you’re in your costume, because you don’t want to accidentally spill anything and stain it. Make sure your water bottle is labeled with your name, and be sure to take the water bottle home with you after each performance (water bottles are one of the most frequent items left in the backstage area). Never leave your water bottle on the props table.

4. Keep the backstage tidy. The backstage crew members are not your servants and should not have to pick up after you. Keeping the backstage area clean and tidy demonstrates respect to everyone involved in the show, and keeps the chaos level to a minimum. Pick up your garbage, clean up any spills immediately, hang up your costume neatly, stay away from the props area unless you’re checking to ensure your prop is in the right place, and keep your personal items to a minimum and out of the way.

5. Check in with your scene partners and see how they’re doing. Communicate and let each other know if anything has changed or needs adjusting prior to showtime.

6. Warm yourself up physically and vocally. Participate in group warm-ups and show circles, as they’re important not only for actually warming up, but for also community bonding. But also do your own warm-ups; you know your body and voice best, and you may need to do additional physical or vocal work to get your body prepared for showtime. That may involve additional stretching, running in place, jumping jacks, shaking your limbs, humming, scales, vocal exercises, checking in with your vocal director — whatever you need to do to be physically ready.

7. Warm yourself up mentally. If you’ve had a bad day, or you’re feeling tired or nervous, or you’ve got a test the next day, you have to do your best to set that aside for a couple of hours until the performance is done. There are exceptions to this rule; for example, if you’re genuinely sick or injured, or if there is a family or personal emergency, then you need to let your director and/or stage manager know as soon as possible so they can put a backup plan in motion. Otherwise, you need to get into the actor mindset and get ready to perform. You might prepare by meditating or doing breathing exercises, listening to some music that pumps you up, doing a silly dance with your castmates — again, whatever works for you to be mentally ready, that doesn’t interfere with anyone else’s pre-show preparation.

8. Do your own personal pre-show checks. The backstage crew will have tasks and checks assigned to them to complete, but mistakes may occasionally happen and things can be missed, so it’s always best to ensure that anything you personally wear or use is in place, for your own peace of mind. Make sure your costume is clean and complete (all accessories and both shoes accounted for), all your props are where they need to be, and everything is in good working order. Don’t touch anyone else’s stuff. If a problem arises, notify the appropriate person immediately; don’t wait until it’s too late to do anything about it.

9. Complete any special requirements for pre-show, such as fight call, lift call, intimacy check-ins, microphone checks, or special hair and makeup application. Do these as quickly and efficiently as possible and get off the stage.

10. Be a great team player. Respect your cast and crew mates by staying out of others’ way and remaining calm and cool backstage. Everyone has their own way of preparing for a performance, and their own tasks to complete prior to showtime. Don’t add to the stress and chaos. Avoid things like monopolizing the bathroom or the makeup mirrors, don’t run around backstage, stay out of the way of technicians and crew members trying to do tech checks and sweep the stage, and help each other out. You’re all working together to achieve the same goal: putting on a fabulous show. The more you can do for each other, the better the show will be.