Sometimes things do not go as planned. With all the stress and pressure at a performance, backstage is one of those places where things are prone to going wrong. In this post I'll outline some of the most common backstage disasters and how then can be dealt with. I am assuming a full professional style performance, not a studio recital.
1. You forgot to bring a costume item. In this case, ask around. It's likely that another dancer has a spare pair of tights or nude leotard you can use. Look back to my stage makeup quick fixes post for help with makeup disasters.
2. You can't find a costume piece. Small items like tiaras and jewelry are prone to getting left and lost. If you have enough time, ask other dancers to look for it. Ask the costumer if she has a spare you can use. If all else fails, just go on stage without it.
3. You rip or stain your costume. If you have time, go to the costumer and have her sew up any rips. If there isn't time, use a safety pin to hold loose edges together. Use a wet paper towel to scrub at small stains. If you have a large stain (like from spilled coffee), see if there is an understudy costume ready that you can use. If there isn't, you may be out of luck. Go on stage as you are and exude an air of confidence.
4. You feel nauseous or have a panic attack. Nerves can get you and your stomach feeling upset. If you have time before you go on stage, take a friend with you and head for the bathroom, take deep breaths, and get a drink of cool water. If you get sick, rinse out your mouth and apply new lipstick. Try to calm down and prepare to go on stage. If you can't stop vomiting or if you pass out, have your friend get help, tell the artistic director or stage manager, and let your understudy perform in your place.
5. You get injured. This can happen backstage as well as onstage. If you slip and fall in the dressing room, evaluate your injuries. If you have a lot of pain or think you have a broken bone or a concussion, don't dance. Tell the artistic director or stage manager and have an understudy dance for you. If you have time before you go on and think you can shake it off, carefully walk around and warm up, then fix your makeup and put on your costume. If you get hurt on stage, try to continue the dance. If you can't, leave the stage in the most quiet and unnoticeable way. (If you are on stage and another dancer is hurt, cover for him or her by improving or rearranging spacing as he or she leaves the stage.) Once you are backstage, get help and tell the artistic director or stage manager that you can't dance the rest of the show. Have an understudy get ready to dance for you.
6. The music doesn't start. If the music doesn't start, just wait. The stage hands and sound people are probably working hard to fix the problem. If your beginning pose is strenuous (like balancing en pointe), you may move to a more comfortable position. If there are multiple dancers on stage, try to communicate to them through whispers or eye contact so you can change positions in unison. Once the music starts, begin your dance as planned.
7. The lighting is wrong (or not there). Don't wait for your spotlight if the music is playing. The light will probably be fixed quickly. If you can't see, do your best and simplify moves as you see fit (like doing a single pirouette instead of multiples).
8. You miss your cue. Don't panic. Remain calm and try to get onto the stage in an inconspicuous manner. If you're in a scene with lots of dancers, stay in character and with the other dancers' movements as you come on the stage. If there is a point in the choreography where the other dancers exit and re-enter the stage (like often happens in the Snow scene in Nutcracker), you may want to wait until then to come on. If it's a comedic part, you're in luck. Mime some goofy movements that go with your character as you come on stage. You can make you missed cue look like part of the show. If it's a solo you're late for, wait for the beginning of a phrase in the music and make a big entrance, like a jump or a turn sequence. Most of the audience probably won't know you messed up.
9. There is no understudy. If a dancer is unable to perform and there is no understudy, first evaluate if that dancer's part is a solo or not. If there will be multiple dancers on stage, it may be ok to let the other dancers go on without filling the incapacitated dancer's spot. Just make sure the other dancers know to adjust their spacing. If it is a solo, see if another dancer knows the part (like he or she did it last year). If no one knows the part, check with the artistic director or stage manager, then send someone else on stage (in costume) to improv to the solo music.
If a disaster happens to another dancer, try your best to help by letting him or her borrow your things, offering comfort, and being open to editing your group number or going on in his or her place.
Questions about any other backstage disasters? Leave a comment!
1. You forgot to bring a costume item. In this case, ask around. It's likely that another dancer has a spare pair of tights or nude leotard you can use. Look back to my stage makeup quick fixes post for help with makeup disasters.
2. You can't find a costume piece. Small items like tiaras and jewelry are prone to getting left and lost. If you have enough time, ask other dancers to look for it. Ask the costumer if she has a spare you can use. If all else fails, just go on stage without it.
3. You rip or stain your costume. If you have time, go to the costumer and have her sew up any rips. If there isn't time, use a safety pin to hold loose edges together. Use a wet paper towel to scrub at small stains. If you have a large stain (like from spilled coffee), see if there is an understudy costume ready that you can use. If there isn't, you may be out of luck. Go on stage as you are and exude an air of confidence.
4. You feel nauseous or have a panic attack. Nerves can get you and your stomach feeling upset. If you have time before you go on stage, take a friend with you and head for the bathroom, take deep breaths, and get a drink of cool water. If you get sick, rinse out your mouth and apply new lipstick. Try to calm down and prepare to go on stage. If you can't stop vomiting or if you pass out, have your friend get help, tell the artistic director or stage manager, and let your understudy perform in your place.
5. You get injured. This can happen backstage as well as onstage. If you slip and fall in the dressing room, evaluate your injuries. If you have a lot of pain or think you have a broken bone or a concussion, don't dance. Tell the artistic director or stage manager and have an understudy dance for you. If you have time before you go on and think you can shake it off, carefully walk around and warm up, then fix your makeup and put on your costume. If you get hurt on stage, try to continue the dance. If you can't, leave the stage in the most quiet and unnoticeable way. (If you are on stage and another dancer is hurt, cover for him or her by improving or rearranging spacing as he or she leaves the stage.) Once you are backstage, get help and tell the artistic director or stage manager that you can't dance the rest of the show. Have an understudy get ready to dance for you.
6. The music doesn't start. If the music doesn't start, just wait. The stage hands and sound people are probably working hard to fix the problem. If your beginning pose is strenuous (like balancing en pointe), you may move to a more comfortable position. If there are multiple dancers on stage, try to communicate to them through whispers or eye contact so you can change positions in unison. Once the music starts, begin your dance as planned.
7. The lighting is wrong (or not there). Don't wait for your spotlight if the music is playing. The light will probably be fixed quickly. If you can't see, do your best and simplify moves as you see fit (like doing a single pirouette instead of multiples).
8. You miss your cue. Don't panic. Remain calm and try to get onto the stage in an inconspicuous manner. If you're in a scene with lots of dancers, stay in character and with the other dancers' movements as you come on the stage. If there is a point in the choreography where the other dancers exit and re-enter the stage (like often happens in the Snow scene in Nutcracker), you may want to wait until then to come on. If it's a comedic part, you're in luck. Mime some goofy movements that go with your character as you come on stage. You can make you missed cue look like part of the show. If it's a solo you're late for, wait for the beginning of a phrase in the music and make a big entrance, like a jump or a turn sequence. Most of the audience probably won't know you messed up.
9. There is no understudy. If a dancer is unable to perform and there is no understudy, first evaluate if that dancer's part is a solo or not. If there will be multiple dancers on stage, it may be ok to let the other dancers go on without filling the incapacitated dancer's spot. Just make sure the other dancers know to adjust their spacing. If it is a solo, see if another dancer knows the part (like he or she did it last year). If no one knows the part, check with the artistic director or stage manager, then send someone else on stage (in costume) to improv to the solo music.
If a disaster happens to another dancer, try your best to help by letting him or her borrow your things, offering comfort, and being open to editing your group number or going on in his or her place.
Questions about any other backstage disasters? Leave a comment!
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