*looking at a costume placed off to the side*
"Is this one of ours?"
"Yeah, that's my costume."
*stares*
"You are very small."
Showing posts with label Costume. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Costume. Show all posts
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Pleasure in the Details
Before coming to Switzerland, my French cast mates kept telling me that it was going to be challenging because the Swiss are so anal and are a bunch of perfectionists. Little did they know that I was beyond excited for just that mentality. After five years of apathy and shit just not getting done, I was really looking forward to some organization and serious "on the ball" action.
I have not been disappointed.
By the beginning of the second week, I already had music composed for my act. The second week! I was just re-reading old entries about the creation of my last show and I had forgotten just how behind we were in the days approaching the show. Nineteen days before the premiere, there were still acts that had no music. Five days before the show, I still had no costume. And here I am at the beginning of the second week and I already have my music? Wow!
Not only do I have music, but it is awesome music. We're talking epic. It's got a somewhat traditional sound to it, but I love it. It makes me feel powerful, sexy, grounded, and light. I just hope I can fill it! The composer, clever man that he is, started composing for everyone based on their videos well before we arrived. That's why we have something to work with so quickly. Every week he comes to rehearsal and we have time with him to make changes and to fine tune it. It's such an effective and efficient way to work. Plus, P is really open to our feedback and finding a way to make the music work with the act. I love it
As for my costume, that too is well under way! And let me just say, in this show I will have the costume that I should have had in my previous show. It is gorgeous. I am going to be gorgeous. Once again, I have the good fortune of being in red. Only this time, the costume lives up to the sexiness that red evokes. No lame-o shorts this time, folks! I will be in a little red velvet halter dress with red and gold lace accents, red and gold lace peeking out from underneath the skirt, and flesh tone fishnet tights!
Holy wow!
My group costume is less exciting, of course. But that's normal. As the directors have said, during your act, you need to stand out and look like a princess or a shining jewel! And the group needs to look like a group so... yeah. But my group costume is also red with a lovely neckline so I feel pretty good about that too.
All in all, I'm feeling pretty good. There are some people who are not pleased with their costumes, and others who are just as elated as I am. I guess we'll have to see what everything looks like all together before we can really know for sure.
I have not been disappointed.
By the beginning of the second week, I already had music composed for my act. The second week! I was just re-reading old entries about the creation of my last show and I had forgotten just how behind we were in the days approaching the show. Nineteen days before the premiere, there were still acts that had no music. Five days before the show, I still had no costume. And here I am at the beginning of the second week and I already have my music? Wow!
Not only do I have music, but it is awesome music. We're talking epic. It's got a somewhat traditional sound to it, but I love it. It makes me feel powerful, sexy, grounded, and light. I just hope I can fill it! The composer, clever man that he is, started composing for everyone based on their videos well before we arrived. That's why we have something to work with so quickly. Every week he comes to rehearsal and we have time with him to make changes and to fine tune it. It's such an effective and efficient way to work. Plus, P is really open to our feedback and finding a way to make the music work with the act. I love it
As for my costume, that too is well under way! And let me just say, in this show I will have the costume that I should have had in my previous show. It is gorgeous. I am going to be gorgeous. Once again, I have the good fortune of being in red. Only this time, the costume lives up to the sexiness that red evokes. No lame-o shorts this time, folks! I will be in a little red velvet halter dress with red and gold lace accents, red and gold lace peeking out from underneath the skirt, and flesh tone fishnet tights!
Holy wow!
My group costume is less exciting, of course. But that's normal. As the directors have said, during your act, you need to stand out and look like a princess or a shining jewel! And the group needs to look like a group so... yeah. But my group costume is also red with a lovely neckline so I feel pretty good about that too.
All in all, I'm feeling pretty good. There are some people who are not pleased with their costumes, and others who are just as elated as I am. I guess we'll have to see what everything looks like all together before we can really know for sure.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The Foot Monsters
I'm really bad at throwing things away. I can also be very stubborn and tend to be proud of curious things. When you combine those qualities, things like this tend to happen:
Those would be my show shoes. They are partly held together by duct tape. Many chunks were hacked off or out in order to keep them looking and feeling shoe like.
They should have been replaced years ago. But they were still kind of okay. And you couldn't tell from the audience. And I liked them. They were good for acro and nicely broken in. I kept thinking, the tour is almost over. They just need to last until June.
Then the tour got extended. But that was okay. I wasn't about to buy another pair for just a few more shows in the fall.
Then it got extended again.
By the end, they didn't have toes so much as gaping holes. When insulted, the holes became mouths and started to talk back. Eventually, the shoes developed their own personalities.
Sadly they, like so many other accessories, did not survive the post tour clean up.
May they rest in pieces.
Those would be my show shoes. They are partly held together by duct tape. Many chunks were hacked off or out in order to keep them looking and feeling shoe like.
They should have been replaced years ago. But they were still kind of okay. And you couldn't tell from the audience. And I liked them. They were good for acro and nicely broken in. I kept thinking, the tour is almost over. They just need to last until June.
Then the tour got extended. But that was okay. I wasn't about to buy another pair for just a few more shows in the fall.
Then it got extended again.
By the end, they didn't have toes so much as gaping holes. When insulted, the holes became mouths and started to talk back. Eventually, the shoes developed their own personalities.
Sadly they, like so many other accessories, did not survive the post tour clean up.
May they rest in pieces.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Oh Right, That
As I’ve mentioned, N will soon be taking a leave of absence for medical reasons, as well as the birth of his baby. His replacement, who conveniently shares the same first name, has just arrived to get into show shape.
It should be noted that N the second will be taking N the first’s place in the show in one week. For the most part, N the second will only be replacing N the first as a musician. With one or two exceptions, most of the major character moments have been distributed to other cast members. There are, mind you, all the back stage cues and manipulations to learn, the order of the show, and of course, the pesky little detail of his costume.
Our N and his replacement have completely different body types. N the second tried wearing N the first’s costume today and wow… I mean… poor guy. It doesn’t suit him at all, which can be overlooked for a run of six shows. But the sleeves of the jacket are much too short for him, and the pants not only make him look like he’s wearing a diaper, but they keep falling off of him.
Of course no one thought to check out the costume situation when N the second was here a month ago. Today the director, in his infuriating way, just stated matter-of-factually that the costume designer would have to be contacted. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to learn that she has one week to make a costume for a man who was hired well over a month ago. So what if she’s never even laid eyes on him?
Considering the number of replacements we’ve had on this show, you’d think there’d be enough random bits of costume kicking around to cobble something together. I’m not entirely sure if I’m joking or not…
Sigh…
UPDATE! Turns out he would not have a costume made for him. N wore a pair of his own pants. But he did get a bow tie so, you know. Bow tie.
It should be noted that N the second will be taking N the first’s place in the show in one week. For the most part, N the second will only be replacing N the first as a musician. With one or two exceptions, most of the major character moments have been distributed to other cast members. There are, mind you, all the back stage cues and manipulations to learn, the order of the show, and of course, the pesky little detail of his costume.
Our N and his replacement have completely different body types. N the second tried wearing N the first’s costume today and wow… I mean… poor guy. It doesn’t suit him at all, which can be overlooked for a run of six shows. But the sleeves of the jacket are much too short for him, and the pants not only make him look like he’s wearing a diaper, but they keep falling off of him.
Of course no one thought to check out the costume situation when N the second was here a month ago. Today the director, in his infuriating way, just stated matter-of-factually that the costume designer would have to be contacted. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to learn that she has one week to make a costume for a man who was hired well over a month ago. So what if she’s never even laid eyes on him?
Considering the number of replacements we’ve had on this show, you’d think there’d be enough random bits of costume kicking around to cobble something together. I’m not entirely sure if I’m joking or not…
Sigh…
UPDATE! Turns out he would not have a costume made for him. N wore a pair of his own pants. But he did get a bow tie so, you know. Bow tie.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Nothing to See Here….
You know that dream that fictional characters always seem to have where they end up either naked or in their skivvies in front of the entire school/workplace? Well ladies and gentlemen, the other night, I came very close to achieving a dream…
It was the scene before the bazooka, in other words, my shining moment as a clown. Aside from the two boys setting up for the bazooka number, there’s no one else on stage and really, I’m there to take the focus so that the set up can occur in a way that is seamless and entertaining. In other words, all eyes are on me.
But right from the get go, I could tell something was off. While trapped beneath the tarp, I could feel that something wasn’t quite right with my pants. Not really having time to investigate further, I started the sketch. That’s when I figured out what was up with my pants. By this time, I’m sure that you’ve figured it out, too.
Now these pants tend to come a bit unzipped, but we added a snap and that tends to take care of that. But tonight, the snap came undone too, and that zipper kept falling. It should be noted that the zipper is, thank goodness, on the side of my leg, not front and centre. It is, however, really long and unzips to mid-way down my thigh.
So I’m rolling around all over the place (as I tend to do in this moment), the whole time hoping that my very voluminous top doesn’t flip up as I’m flipping over. But as you surely know, the rules of the Universe dictate that in such moments, the side of my body that the zipper is on is the side that will most often be facing the public.
And so, after a few minutes of uncharacteristically reserved flailing, the sketch is just about done! Nothing left to do but look at the audience, look at the guys and retreat. Yes! And it’s as I make my exit that I realize that while I was trying to shield the audience from my hindquarters, my top had also come undone and the ladies were getting a little stage time of their own.
Oops.
It was the scene before the bazooka, in other words, my shining moment as a clown. Aside from the two boys setting up for the bazooka number, there’s no one else on stage and really, I’m there to take the focus so that the set up can occur in a way that is seamless and entertaining. In other words, all eyes are on me.
But right from the get go, I could tell something was off. While trapped beneath the tarp, I could feel that something wasn’t quite right with my pants. Not really having time to investigate further, I started the sketch. That’s when I figured out what was up with my pants. By this time, I’m sure that you’ve figured it out, too.
Now these pants tend to come a bit unzipped, but we added a snap and that tends to take care of that. But tonight, the snap came undone too, and that zipper kept falling. It should be noted that the zipper is, thank goodness, on the side of my leg, not front and centre. It is, however, really long and unzips to mid-way down my thigh.
So I’m rolling around all over the place (as I tend to do in this moment), the whole time hoping that my very voluminous top doesn’t flip up as I’m flipping over. But as you surely know, the rules of the Universe dictate that in such moments, the side of my body that the zipper is on is the side that will most often be facing the public.
And so, after a few minutes of uncharacteristically reserved flailing, the sketch is just about done! Nothing left to do but look at the audience, look at the guys and retreat. Yes! And it’s as I make my exit that I realize that while I was trying to shield the audience from my hindquarters, my top had also come undone and the ladies were getting a little stage time of their own.
Oops.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Memory Lane
Look out! An Ice Dragon!
Okay, so I'm not actually supposed to be an Ice Dragon, but being an Ice Dragon is way more awesome than what I'm actually supposed to be*.
Of all the costumes I have ever worn, this one is easily my favourite. True, it's made of spandex covered in vinyl, covered in velour, covered in glitter... and it easily weighs 10 lbs... but look at all its majesty!
Really, what I love is how it screams Cirque du Soleil. This was part of my costume for the closing ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino. I was still in circus school at the time, so to be wearing a costume like that was pretty damn exciting.
The best part? They let us keep it! I've never worn it for anything else, but I really should. So if your next production calls for an Ice Dragon, give me a shout.
* Well? Aren't you at least going to guess?
Okay, so I'm not actually supposed to be an Ice Dragon, but being an Ice Dragon is way more awesome than what I'm actually supposed to be*.
Of all the costumes I have ever worn, this one is easily my favourite. True, it's made of spandex covered in vinyl, covered in velour, covered in glitter... and it easily weighs 10 lbs... but look at all its majesty!
Really, what I love is how it screams Cirque du Soleil. This was part of my costume for the closing ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino. I was still in circus school at the time, so to be wearing a costume like that was pretty damn exciting.
The best part? They let us keep it! I've never worn it for anything else, but I really should. So if your next production calls for an Ice Dragon, give me a shout.
* Well? Aren't you at least going to guess?
Sunday, December 12, 2010
I Got New Pants!
After almost two years on tour, a couple hundred shows and almost as many promises, I finally have new pants! They're not the same fabric, but that's okay because these ones sparkle!
Old pants...
New pants...
The side-by-side comparison...
Aren't they beautiful? No more gross, discoloured, practically-no-more-fabric-in-the-knees pants for me! It's all bright and shiny from here on in! True, the first time I wore the new pants on stage the zipper came undone and they started to fall off, but it was only a run-through and a clip has since been attached. Considering the costume designer spends more time complaining about how much work she has rather than doing the actual work in question, I consider it a small miracle to even have new pants. Reliable zipper or not.
So hooray for new pants!
Old pants...
New pants...
The side-by-side comparison...
Aren't they beautiful? No more gross, discoloured, practically-no-more-fabric-in-the-knees pants for me! It's all bright and shiny from here on in! True, the first time I wore the new pants on stage the zipper came undone and they started to fall off, but it was only a run-through and a clip has since been attached. Considering the costume designer spends more time complaining about how much work she has rather than doing the actual work in question, I consider it a small miracle to even have new pants. Reliable zipper or not.
So hooray for new pants!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Memory Lane
Okay, so this has nothing to do with the circus I'm currently working for, but it is a flashback on my career and is definitely worth sharing.
Any circus artist out there will have similar stories to tell. Theirs may involve weird appendages, sequins or spandex. Or perhaps unitards, head pieces and extremely bad taste. My story involves all of that and more.
I was working on a show in a small town in Quebec, and while the venue was impressive (it was outside and the audience rotated 360 degrees thus making the adjacent river and forest part of the stage), the show itself was not. But the best part, and by best I mean worst, was the costumes.
Some people may say that a picture is worth a thousand words. In this case, the picture robs me of those words, so I'll let it do the talking...
Behold!
Is that a gaggle of diseased sperm? No, no! We're moon people silly! And here is our Princess!
I...
Oh my...
Did I mention that the show was outside? And that it rained a lot? And did you notice that the costumes are made of white spandex?
Worst. Costumes. Ever.
A fun side note, C and I worked together on this show too!
Ah, the memories...
Any circus artist out there will have similar stories to tell. Theirs may involve weird appendages, sequins or spandex. Or perhaps unitards, head pieces and extremely bad taste. My story involves all of that and more.
I was working on a show in a small town in Quebec, and while the venue was impressive (it was outside and the audience rotated 360 degrees thus making the adjacent river and forest part of the stage), the show itself was not. But the best part, and by best I mean worst, was the costumes.
Some people may say that a picture is worth a thousand words. In this case, the picture robs me of those words, so I'll let it do the talking...
Behold!
Is that a gaggle of diseased sperm? No, no! We're moon people silly! And here is our Princess!
I...
Oh my...
Did I mention that the show was outside? And that it rained a lot? And did you notice that the costumes are made of white spandex?
Worst. Costumes. Ever.
A fun side note, C and I worked together on this show too!
Ah, the memories...
Friday, June 4, 2010
Five Fingers
I have always maintained that I'm not one for shoes, although the amount of shoes I have in France fiercely contradicts that statement. As such, you can imagine how heart breaking it was for me to get to circus school and choose a discipline that absolutely requires shoes.
Sigh...
Well, all that has been made up for with the shoes we get to wear during the trampoline act in the show.
Behold! The Vibram Five Fingers!
The site describes them as a barefoot alternative. I would simply describe them as awesome. There are many scientific and anatomical reasons why being barefoot is really healthy and wonderful for you. But I will save that for another post. What is simply lovely about these shoes is that you get to experience the texture of the world, just like if you were barefoot, but without the risk of hurting the soles of your feet.
Yes, they are brilliant for many circus things like trampoline. They protect the foot, offer a nice, grippy, sole, and since it doesn't have a heel, there's no risk of turning an ankle. But let's be frank. They're just super cool.
I actually bought a pair for everyday life and happily wander around Montreal in them. You can't imagine how delicious it is to experience the texture of the world beneath your feet as you walk. And then, of course, there's all that scientific stuff.
As for the octopus (or quitapus if you're picky), like the skull and crossbones shoe laces, he was added for extra awesomeness. That and there was a hole on the toe.
The best part for all you Canadians out there is that, despite being the product of a European company, they are way cheaper in Canada! Simply head to your local Mountain Equipment Co-op and discover the glory of Five Fingers for yourself.
And that is the end of today's public service announcement.
Sigh...
Well, all that has been made up for with the shoes we get to wear during the trampoline act in the show.
Behold! The Vibram Five Fingers!
The site describes them as a barefoot alternative. I would simply describe them as awesome. There are many scientific and anatomical reasons why being barefoot is really healthy and wonderful for you. But I will save that for another post. What is simply lovely about these shoes is that you get to experience the texture of the world, just like if you were barefoot, but without the risk of hurting the soles of your feet.
Yes, they are brilliant for many circus things like trampoline. They protect the foot, offer a nice, grippy, sole, and since it doesn't have a heel, there's no risk of turning an ankle. But let's be frank. They're just super cool.
I actually bought a pair for everyday life and happily wander around Montreal in them. You can't imagine how delicious it is to experience the texture of the world beneath your feet as you walk. And then, of course, there's all that scientific stuff.
As for the octopus (or quitapus if you're picky), like the skull and crossbones shoe laces, he was added for extra awesomeness. That and there was a hole on the toe.
The best part for all you Canadians out there is that, despite being the product of a European company, they are way cheaper in Canada! Simply head to your local Mountain Equipment Co-op and discover the glory of Five Fingers for yourself.
And that is the end of today's public service announcement.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Wardrobe Malfucktion III
Okay, this should have been posted sooner, but in the craziness of the last few days of shows, there was just no time.
The last weeks in Paris were littered with an absurd amount of costume woes. But the third to last show would have to be tbe worst one of all. Unless, of course, you're in to Punk Rock.
I have only about a five minute gap between my first appearance on stage and my number. I go off stage, change my costume, put on my wheel shoes and do a very quick warm-up. Then, its go time. There's no time for dawdling and most of my actions are timed to the music being played on stage. It's that tight.
So you can imagine the panic when L went to zip up my costume and the head of the zipper popped off, landed on the floor and bounced away. As I have mentioned, I have five minutes to get ready for my act. What I may not have mentioned is that unlike certain other cast members, I don't have a double of my costume. No, for some strange reason the costumer designer made doubles for some people, mostly musicians, only the men, and left the acrobats (you know, the ones who roll around and suchlike) with only one costume.
So here I am, half dressed with my shirt wide open and no way/time to do anything about it. The woman in charge of costume care is backstage at this point, but isn't actually a seamstress so even if there was time to fix it, there's really nothing she could have done.
The only possible solution was... giant safety pins!
I had five inch-and-a-half safety pins holding my shirt mostly closed. I say mostly as there wasn't enough time to do a good job of it so the top was pinned unevenly and was partially open. I felt terribly self conscious my whole number, was worried the damn things would open an stab me, and on top of that, I had friends in the audience that night. Not a good way to end the run.
As you can imagine, I was pretty angry afterward. Moreover, the costume designer was in town to "do maintenance" (she was really there for the Christmas party). To further fuel the flames of rage, I ran into her before she left Paris and got to hear how the costume breaking was L and I's fault. We must have pulled it too hard. The zipper can't be pulled up quickly otherwise it gets caught, so I have a hard time believing that. Apparently it was also unsewn in a number of places. Clearly a result of the sharp spikes that grown out of my side...
She then went on to say how she had so much to do in Paris, but was too tired and didn't even get half of it done. She should be bringing some costumes back with her to work on, but, boff, she was just too tired...
When I mentioned all this to the technical director, he seemed utterly shocked. Shocked I say! I just hope it shocks him into giving the costume designer a swift kick in the ass. She's being paid, and having her transportation paid for, by the circus and and yet the artists remain in disintegrating costumes.
The costume was fixed for the next night's show. I don't imagine anything will have changed when we start again in January, but hopefully there will be doubles, the doubles would have should have had months and months ago, when we come back from the break before the spring portion of the tour.
Keep your fingers crossed!
The last weeks in Paris were littered with an absurd amount of costume woes. But the third to last show would have to be tbe worst one of all. Unless, of course, you're in to Punk Rock.
I have only about a five minute gap between my first appearance on stage and my number. I go off stage, change my costume, put on my wheel shoes and do a very quick warm-up. Then, its go time. There's no time for dawdling and most of my actions are timed to the music being played on stage. It's that tight.
So you can imagine the panic when L went to zip up my costume and the head of the zipper popped off, landed on the floor and bounced away. As I have mentioned, I have five minutes to get ready for my act. What I may not have mentioned is that unlike certain other cast members, I don't have a double of my costume. No, for some strange reason the costumer designer made doubles for some people, mostly musicians, only the men, and left the acrobats (you know, the ones who roll around and suchlike) with only one costume.
So here I am, half dressed with my shirt wide open and no way/time to do anything about it. The woman in charge of costume care is backstage at this point, but isn't actually a seamstress so even if there was time to fix it, there's really nothing she could have done.
The only possible solution was... giant safety pins!
I had five inch-and-a-half safety pins holding my shirt mostly closed. I say mostly as there wasn't enough time to do a good job of it so the top was pinned unevenly and was partially open. I felt terribly self conscious my whole number, was worried the damn things would open an stab me, and on top of that, I had friends in the audience that night. Not a good way to end the run.
As you can imagine, I was pretty angry afterward. Moreover, the costume designer was in town to "do maintenance" (she was really there for the Christmas party). To further fuel the flames of rage, I ran into her before she left Paris and got to hear how the costume breaking was L and I's fault. We must have pulled it too hard. The zipper can't be pulled up quickly otherwise it gets caught, so I have a hard time believing that. Apparently it was also unsewn in a number of places. Clearly a result of the sharp spikes that grown out of my side...
She then went on to say how she had so much to do in Paris, but was too tired and didn't even get half of it done. She should be bringing some costumes back with her to work on, but, boff, she was just too tired...
When I mentioned all this to the technical director, he seemed utterly shocked. Shocked I say! I just hope it shocks him into giving the costume designer a swift kick in the ass. She's being paid, and having her transportation paid for, by the circus and and yet the artists remain in disintegrating costumes.
The costume was fixed for the next night's show. I don't imagine anything will have changed when we start again in January, but hopefully there will be doubles, the doubles would have should have had months and months ago, when we come back from the break before the spring portion of the tour.
Keep your fingers crossed!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Wait... What?
A rather curious article was sent to the troupe this morning. Well, not so much an article as a blog entry from some random corner of the internet. While the author has positive things to say about the show, that's not at all what she's interested in. Moreover, while I think what she has to say is meant to be quite positive, I'm personally not too sure how to take it.
Here's an excerpt (translated by yours truly):
"And so, looking at this heterogeneous troupe, we see different costumes ranging from total nudity to more or less becoming attire, I had the reflection that almost none of them had a body like we see in magazines or television: they were short, quite tall, some had a small pot belly, others had slightly saggy bottoms, were flat chested, and yet they showed what they could do with these non-ideal bodies without hesitation."
I can think of more than one person in the troupe that may develop a slight image complex from this article. I know that the author, a nutritional psychologist, is trying to point out that even professional circus artists and musicians don't have what is considered the perfect body, and yet look at the beautiful and poetic things they can do! The body is an instrument to create a story, not an end in itself...
That's all well and good, but she's not the one that has to parade her imperfect body on stage. I don't think I ever mentioned it before, but I was initially quite uncomfortable in my wheel costume. I was excited that it was red and a little bit sexy, but I when I was being fitted, it was often in the tent, with everyone else around. The cat calls and remarks about the top left me feeling rather uncomfortable, and seeing as I don't even wear shorts in real life, wearing tiny shorts on stage wasn't a very enjoyable prospect.
But I got used to my costume and all was well. Now I'll be worrying about my ginormous shoulders, pasty legs, and muscular thighs... Thanks nutritional psychologist lady! Way to show some sensitivity!
Sigh...
Here's an excerpt (translated by yours truly):
"And so, looking at this heterogeneous troupe, we see different costumes ranging from total nudity to more or less becoming attire, I had the reflection that almost none of them had a body like we see in magazines or television: they were short, quite tall, some had a small pot belly, others had slightly saggy bottoms, were flat chested, and yet they showed what they could do with these non-ideal bodies without hesitation."
I can think of more than one person in the troupe that may develop a slight image complex from this article. I know that the author, a nutritional psychologist, is trying to point out that even professional circus artists and musicians don't have what is considered the perfect body, and yet look at the beautiful and poetic things they can do! The body is an instrument to create a story, not an end in itself...
That's all well and good, but she's not the one that has to parade her imperfect body on stage. I don't think I ever mentioned it before, but I was initially quite uncomfortable in my wheel costume. I was excited that it was red and a little bit sexy, but I when I was being fitted, it was often in the tent, with everyone else around. The cat calls and remarks about the top left me feeling rather uncomfortable, and seeing as I don't even wear shorts in real life, wearing tiny shorts on stage wasn't a very enjoyable prospect.
But I got used to my costume and all was well. Now I'll be worrying about my ginormous shoulders, pasty legs, and muscular thighs... Thanks nutritional psychologist lady! Way to show some sensitivity!
Sigh...
Wardrobe Malfunction II
Just when I thought it was safe to go back on stage...
You know what's better than having your bra strap break, or having the front of your costume torn? Having the zipper on your itty bitty booty shorts break, exposing what your mama gave you to the world.
Fortunately, this happened after my number. I did have to go on stage in that costume again, but I'm mostly hidden by a very large canvas at that particular moment, so I like to think no one saw. Other than all the people sitting stage right, I mean...
I should have been expecting it. After all, il n'y a jamais deux sans trois!
You know what's better than having your bra strap break, or having the front of your costume torn? Having the zipper on your itty bitty booty shorts break, exposing what your mama gave you to the world.
Fortunately, this happened after my number. I did have to go on stage in that costume again, but I'm mostly hidden by a very large canvas at that particular moment, so I like to think no one saw. Other than all the people sitting stage right, I mean...
I should have been expecting it. After all, il n'y a jamais deux sans trois!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Wardrobe Malfunction
While the term 'wardrobe malfunction' may give to visions of breasticles swaying in the breeze, I'm afraid my mishap wasn't nearly as exciting.
The show started out innocently enough. Then, mid-way through my number I noticed that one of the strings from the fabric we use as canvas in the show was stuck to my shoulder (the damn things get everywhere). Only it wasn't a string. It was my bra strap. It had either broke or come undone. I tried to ignore it but as the number progressed it continued its escape from underneath my costume.
Seeing as I didn't really have the freedom to stop and fix it, I decided to just ignore it and keep going. And so, while my bra strap was smacking me upside the head, my cast mates were having a right good laugh in the wings.
Humph.
You'd think that would have been enough for one show. But the wonderful world of live performance had a little more fun in store. In fact, I had just let down my guard. We had just finished the group trampoline number, the official end of the show, and were getting into place for the encore. I went to jump up onto the upper platform of the structure, just like I've done for over 50 shows, and my costume gets caught, the front rips off exposing considerable more of my cleavage than usual, and I get yanked down like a pup on a leash.
My cast mate's reaction to the event: "Aw... I didn't even get to see any tit!"
At least I can say that the eighth to last show really knocked some socks off! Or something...
The show started out innocently enough. Then, mid-way through my number I noticed that one of the strings from the fabric we use as canvas in the show was stuck to my shoulder (the damn things get everywhere). Only it wasn't a string. It was my bra strap. It had either broke or come undone. I tried to ignore it but as the number progressed it continued its escape from underneath my costume.
Seeing as I didn't really have the freedom to stop and fix it, I decided to just ignore it and keep going. And so, while my bra strap was smacking me upside the head, my cast mates were having a right good laugh in the wings.
Humph.
You'd think that would have been enough for one show. But the wonderful world of live performance had a little more fun in store. In fact, I had just let down my guard. We had just finished the group trampoline number, the official end of the show, and were getting into place for the encore. I went to jump up onto the upper platform of the structure, just like I've done for over 50 shows, and my costume gets caught, the front rips off exposing considerable more of my cleavage than usual, and I get yanked down like a pup on a leash.
My cast mate's reaction to the event: "Aw... I didn't even get to see any tit!"
At least I can say that the eighth to last show really knocked some socks off! Or something...
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Sneak Peak
Here's a behind the scenes sneak peak at my daily routine!
Really, I just want to show off my make-up. I never wore make-up as a teenager (and still don't for that matter) and only really had to deal with the whole make-up thing when I started performing. Needless to say, I have a bit of an inferiority complex when it comes to my make-up applying abilities.
But you know, I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. At any rate, I'm better at putting on eyeliner than I used to be.
Maybe one day, I'll figure out how to curl my eye lashes...
Really, I just want to show off my make-up. I never wore make-up as a teenager (and still don't for that matter) and only really had to deal with the whole make-up thing when I started performing. Needless to say, I have a bit of an inferiority complex when it comes to my make-up applying abilities.
But you know, I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. At any rate, I'm better at putting on eyeliner than I used to be.
Maybe one day, I'll figure out how to curl my eye lashes...
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Dun Dun DUN!
Its been three months. There have been arguments, breakdowns, tears, laughter, hurdles overcome and breakthroughs made. Most importantly, a show was born. Tonight was our final run before the doors open to a curious and eager public. And I, for one, am crapping my pants.
Last night we had a small audience of about 30 people (the Chapiteau holds 1000). Oddly enough, I wasn't nervous. I had heard they were the people from the office and some theatre company that often comes by. I figured they were friends and so no big deal. I later learned they were actually one of those super critical bunches you need to be wary of.
Oops.
Things went well, but I feel like I've plateaued a bit. I don't really feel like I'm inhabiting what I'm doing. I think having a real audience will help.
I also think it might kill me.
Tonight, I was so nervous. There were six people in the public. The director, assistant director, the costume designer, the technical director, the maintenance/all around go-to guy, and the videographer. That's it! People who have been here from the start and know the show inside and out! And yet I was on the verge of thoroughly soiling my costume...
If I felt like that tonight, I don't know what I'm going to do tomorrow.
One thing that's really great though is my placement in the show. My wheel number has always been either last or second to last. That's a long time to let your nerves build up. Now, I'm rather close to the beginning, just before the middle. Its a good spot. I can get into the show, do my number without getting too worked up, and then continue with a lot less stress. It's pretty awesome.
Also, I now have a costume! Its still not quite finished, and it did sort of fall off at one point in the run (but that can be avoided later on), but its a costume! And its orange... a nice orange though. Kind of a burnt, rust, pumpkin kind of orange. Well, the pants are, I've never really had a chance to look at the top in the light. Anyway, its orange. I must admit, its one of the last colours I ever thought I'd end up in...
I can't believe its finally here. This journey started with my audition in 2007 and now I'm finally going to be presenting a show as a member of this reknowned circus. And you know what? Tonight, at curtain call, I felt like a real member of this troupe. And that is a beautiful thing.
So wish me 'merde' all over my broken legs! Because tomorrow is the beginning of a whole new chapter of this crazy circus life of mine.
Allez!
Last night we had a small audience of about 30 people (the Chapiteau holds 1000). Oddly enough, I wasn't nervous. I had heard they were the people from the office and some theatre company that often comes by. I figured they were friends and so no big deal. I later learned they were actually one of those super critical bunches you need to be wary of.
Oops.
Things went well, but I feel like I've plateaued a bit. I don't really feel like I'm inhabiting what I'm doing. I think having a real audience will help.
I also think it might kill me.
Tonight, I was so nervous. There were six people in the public. The director, assistant director, the costume designer, the technical director, the maintenance/all around go-to guy, and the videographer. That's it! People who have been here from the start and know the show inside and out! And yet I was on the verge of thoroughly soiling my costume...
If I felt like that tonight, I don't know what I'm going to do tomorrow.
One thing that's really great though is my placement in the show. My wheel number has always been either last or second to last. That's a long time to let your nerves build up. Now, I'm rather close to the beginning, just before the middle. Its a good spot. I can get into the show, do my number without getting too worked up, and then continue with a lot less stress. It's pretty awesome.
Also, I now have a costume! Its still not quite finished, and it did sort of fall off at one point in the run (but that can be avoided later on), but its a costume! And its orange... a nice orange though. Kind of a burnt, rust, pumpkin kind of orange. Well, the pants are, I've never really had a chance to look at the top in the light. Anyway, its orange. I must admit, its one of the last colours I ever thought I'd end up in...
I can't believe its finally here. This journey started with my audition in 2007 and now I'm finally going to be presenting a show as a member of this reknowned circus. And you know what? Tonight, at curtain call, I felt like a real member of this troupe. And that is a beautiful thing.
So wish me 'merde' all over my broken legs! Because tomorrow is the beginning of a whole new chapter of this crazy circus life of mine.
Allez!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
I Feel Pretty! Oh So Pretty!
There’s one thing I’ve been meaning to write about for quite some time. From inside a show, it’s my favourite part. I always find it terribly exciting and quite frankly, for me, it’s the part I find most magical and the part that really makes me feel like I in a show.
If you haven’t figured it out, I’m referring to the costumes. The idea that someone is going to make a costume especially for me, to exactly my measurements, so that it best suits my shape and highlights my best features… well that, my friends, is one tasty looking carrot to be dangling in front of someone’s nose.
It’s funny how the things just left of the actual show are the parts I love most. The costumes, make up, the poster, the program… I suppose that’s what makes it real for me. Anyone can put something together and call it a “show”. I feel like it’s these elements that make it real, official and professional. At the same time, I guess it makes sense. When the show is over, everything that has occurred on stage exists only as a memory. When you get back up there the following night, the experience will never be the same, even if the gestures are. And one day, the show will end. The lasting reminder, the proof that it really happened, lies in the things you can hold. The poster, the program, the costume...
I suppose I’m just getting a little wistful because we open in five days… Five days!!
But back to costumes…
As I just mentioned, we open in five days. I still do not have a completed costume. There are some people who are missing elements of their costume, but I’m flat out missing pants and a top. I do have a costume just for my number, which is really quite awesome, albeit now covered in paint (damn you, clowns!). And I do have a sequin-infested jacket. But for the duration of the show that I am not doing German wheel I have only my shiny, shiny coat to keep me decent.
I almost have pants. Every time I try them on the fit is disastrous and I have the costume designer up in my lady parts muttering under her breath. And one day I may have a top but the costume designer hasn’t found “my colour”. I have, however, been told that that colour is not green. I suppose that’s a start.
As for my German wheel costume… after having lived through costumes that made me look like an ice dragon (actually kind of cool) and a diseased sperm (very far from cool), I am happy to report I will finally be represented as an attractive young woman!
For starters, the costume is red. Red! Only sexy women get to wear red. But not only that, its a little bustier that shows off my cleavage (!) coupled with what the costume designer calls little underwear, but are actually just little red shorts. They aren’t really interesting enough to call them anything but shorts. Except for that, like the bustier, they have roses all over them! Needless to say, the wheel costume makes it much easier to bear the sequin-infested jacket and lack of pants.
If you haven’t figured it out, I’m referring to the costumes. The idea that someone is going to make a costume especially for me, to exactly my measurements, so that it best suits my shape and highlights my best features… well that, my friends, is one tasty looking carrot to be dangling in front of someone’s nose.
It’s funny how the things just left of the actual show are the parts I love most. The costumes, make up, the poster, the program… I suppose that’s what makes it real for me. Anyone can put something together and call it a “show”. I feel like it’s these elements that make it real, official and professional. At the same time, I guess it makes sense. When the show is over, everything that has occurred on stage exists only as a memory. When you get back up there the following night, the experience will never be the same, even if the gestures are. And one day, the show will end. The lasting reminder, the proof that it really happened, lies in the things you can hold. The poster, the program, the costume...
I suppose I’m just getting a little wistful because we open in five days… Five days!!
But back to costumes…
As I just mentioned, we open in five days. I still do not have a completed costume. There are some people who are missing elements of their costume, but I’m flat out missing pants and a top. I do have a costume just for my number, which is really quite awesome, albeit now covered in paint (damn you, clowns!). And I do have a sequin-infested jacket. But for the duration of the show that I am not doing German wheel I have only my shiny, shiny coat to keep me decent.
I almost have pants. Every time I try them on the fit is disastrous and I have the costume designer up in my lady parts muttering under her breath. And one day I may have a top but the costume designer hasn’t found “my colour”. I have, however, been told that that colour is not green. I suppose that’s a start.
As for my German wheel costume… after having lived through costumes that made me look like an ice dragon (actually kind of cool) and a diseased sperm (very far from cool), I am happy to report I will finally be represented as an attractive young woman!
For starters, the costume is red. Red! Only sexy women get to wear red. But not only that, its a little bustier that shows off my cleavage (!) coupled with what the costume designer calls little underwear, but are actually just little red shorts. They aren’t really interesting enough to call them anything but shorts. Except for that, like the bustier, they have roses all over them! Needless to say, the wheel costume makes it much easier to bear the sequin-infested jacket and lack of pants.
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