[Cory]

I'm currently playing the Wardrobe in my school's production of BATB, which is a lovely part with a lot of fun bits.

But the costume, as many of you know, is not so fun.

I have a history of fainting often, which is also not good.

So, here's the story...

I'm on the stage from the time the curtain opens to the time I do a quick change back into a human. My director thinks that the lines about not fitting through the door make more sense if I'm actually trapped in there. Besides, the set was not built for costume conveinance, so it literally takes me 4 minutes to get up the three steep stairs to leave Belle's room and go backstage, which looks awkward to the audience (BTW, we only close a scrim to hide the castle, so there is no point the audience wouldn't be distracted by the awkwardness). I'm also at the highest point on our set, putting my uncomfortably close to the first electric and its face-melting lights. Besides all that, my costume is unbearably hot and doesn't allow me to even bend my knees, let alone sit.

I was able to bear it all through our 6 hour techs and 8 hour dresses, but our matinee for student audiences was this morning and I passed out because of the heat that is added just by all the bodies in the room.

What I really need (and preferably by tomorrow night, when our first paying public sees the show) is a few tips to keep from fainting again.

For the record, I get handed a water bottle whenever the scrim closes, which helps, but I can't drink much because the only thing that could make this more uncomfortable would be a full bladder.

Thank you so much for any help!

Please reply!

[Cory]

I hate to be an irritating bumper, but my show is tomorrow....

[musikal_geek]

This is an extremely serious issue. If your director seriously doesn't care about his cast enough to alter the show to keep cast members from fainting, he should NOT be a director. Seriously, if he doesn't do anything about it (if you ask him to), you should bring it up with your principal or school board. If he doesn't care that you are in a very heavy costume at the highest point in the set with the risk of passing out, he does NOT belong in the theatre. How extremely unprofessional of him.

[ConverseSneaker]

Is it possible to have a small fan put up there with you? Or backstage?

I will try to keep thinking of ideas for you. I'm sorry to be of so little help. But you have the sympathy of an induced hives person so I can understand how bad it gets onstage in the heat.

[jackissensational]

A cool, wet washcloth may help, unless is screws your make-up.

[blue wind]

that really sucks! your director should not be putting u in this kind of situation...but i guess you gotta do what you gotta do.

make sure you stay hydrated!!! just don't bloat yourself or else you'll have to pee, and that'll make it even more uncomfortable. and make sure you eat enough throughout the day also.

and make sure you breathe at a regular, steady pace with deep breaths when you're not singing or talking. because if you get nervous or start hyperventalating, or even forget to breathe, that'll deff. make you faint.

and make sure you get a lot of rest

good luck!

[The Guard]

First, there's no reason for Belle's room to be "upstairs" given the objects that have to go up and down. That's just silly. When we did the show, Belle's room was onstage, directly below the West Wing, and there were three levels of the castle above the stage. Someone didn't think the blocking through. Sometimes being slavishly faithful to the script can hurt this production. You've obviously seen how awkward it can look for the audience.

There's no way around this. We tried everything. Even a professional production of it couldn't get around these issues. Forget the washcloth, because the leftover moisture will make you feel like you have a fever when you're onstage. Instead, keep your interior cool by drinking LOTS AND LOTS of water. I'm talking...have several gallons worth of ice water available at various locations. And if you can put a large fan somewhere backstage, that will help when you're not onstage. When you are onstage, use the uncomfortable factor for your character. You don't want to feel like a wardrobe, she probably doesn't either. I would say play with it. You know full well you don't move real well, so play with as a character. "Struggle" to get on and offstage, make the audience enjoy your uncomfortable moments.

[musikal_geek]

Depending on what backstage is like, where you are in terms of left and right onstage, and other factors, maybe you could set up a fan right offstage facing you?

[MusicalGal1194]

I heard that in one production, the Wardrobe had the same problem. What she did was, she put a bunch of ice cubes in little baggies and secured them inside her costume. It kept her cool as the ice cubes melted. I'm not sure how she kept them secured, though....

[musikal_geek]

[MusicalGal1194]

Hahahah yeah, double baggies would probably be a good idea!

[wicked_boy]

LMAO!!!

"She was nervous!"

[jazzygirlsings]

LOL! That sounds pretty funny...

But seriously, if you go the icecube route, find a way to put them on the back of your neck. It's one of the best points on your body to put coldness and make your whole body feel cooler...

Perhaps use one of those ice packs that don't melt from the freezer...

[Cory]

Thank you!

The opening night went wonderfully, I had a couple of people bringing me ice packs along with water bottles every couple of scenes while the scrim was closed. Also ate a ton of protein all day to keep me going.

[ConverseSneaker]

Glad to hear it!

[theatraa]

if you sew a pocket into the back of a shirt and stick a couple ice packs in it so they're on your lower back, that works. I used it when I had to wear a costume made entirely of fake fur :S