Rosefan42's Theater Survival Kits

This pair of survival kits comes via rosefan42, with an inspirational assist by saranvd.—Sparkitors

This summer, I took part in my first “proper” play; we lived in dorms for two weeks, then had a non-residential production week at the theater. The experience was awesome in so many ways—meeting incredible people, learning lots and lots, getting really healthy due to the daily workout—but it was also a TON of work. So! I present to you rosefan42’s Theater Survival Kits.

Theater Camp Survival Kit

1.) Sweets and fizzy drinks (but not too many, of course). Your theater company will have gone horrendously over budget on the set and design and will need to save on other things. For us, this meant having the residential weeks an a university campus over their summer holidays (and over Bank Holiday weekend). Everything was closed from Friday until Tuesday, and we arrived late on Thursday, which meant no extra food for all but three of the eleven days we were there.

2.) Some really, really random things. This is hard to plan for, as it depends on the show. For us, it was old glass bottles, Wellington boots, girly magazines and long bits of red ribbon (don’t ask).

3.) A mobile phone charger. By day six you’ll be wanting to talk to someone you haven’t been spending every minute with.

4.) Speakers and an iPod filled with musical theater songs (drama geeks = musical geeks). We spent our evenings crowded into one staircase singing the most random songs we could think of. For us it was "Bohemian Rhapsody," "I’m Yours" and "Oh! What a Beautiful Morning." A variety of songs and genres is advisable.

5.) A notepad for in-jokes. Trust me, some of these you won’t want to forget. And then you can spend the next few weeks of school weirding people out by laughing at really, REALLY random things ("The milkybars are on me!") Hahahahahahahaha. No? Anybody? Oh, you ignorant fools…

6.) Auntie SparkNotes. You'll need a reminder that True Love is not all that likely after one day, that hormones and emotions are running high, and that by tomorrow you’ll probably be pining for someone else. And that’s normal! It’s fine! I had something like four different True Love phases while I was there, and it wasn’t painful at all to let each one go. Just accept that your Love Antenna is working on maximum right now, and enjoy the giddy happiness and lovely dreams. And who knows? Something could happen when you least expect it.

Tech Week Survival Kit

1.) Lots and lots and lots of intravenous caffeine, or those cool tiny Lucozade shots. You’ll need them.

2.) A mountain of sandwiches. PB&J has no dairy or chocolate (so the Musical Director won't go schizo about your vocal chords), they're filling, and they're a little slice of comfort.

3.) Dressing room mascots. Maybe it’s because this was the first time I’d performed in a proper theater, but there is something INCREDIBLY cool about seeing your name (with Mr. or Miss, no less) above one of those mirrors surrounded by lights, with a little desk space for bags and makeup (and dressing room mascots). I took a TARDIS and an IKEA rat plushie named Scabbers.

4.) A camera. You’ll definitely want to capture all the amazing costumes in a classic Facebook pose (shoes in a foot circle, everyone crowded in together, pout-and-peace-sign). Bonus points if you get covered in blood or water. Which we did.

5.) Honey. Maybe you can't constantly make tea or honey-lemon drinks, but a spoonful of honey can do wonders for your throat on short notice. Also, if you’re nervous, this will probably cheer you up a great deal.

6.) A toothbrush and toothpaste. I always brush my teeth right before the show, and usually in the interval too. It’s really refreshing and you’ll feel so much better.

7.) Money. At some point, the cast hoodie letter will come round. Then the cast photos email. Then the let’s-get-the-Director-a-present note. Then someone with a car will suggest a Burger King trip. Always have some money with you just in case—you're locked backstage anyway, so there’s no danger of you blowing it all on sweets and junk.

What's in your hobby survival kit?

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A writing-for-SparkLife survival kit would just be an empty box, with a note telling you to click here.