Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! Also happy Christmas Eve to those who celebrate!
Here’s your tip!
It’s a dark time of year; provide a little light.
Feel free to interpret as you will.
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 13 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! We had a great time performing at Flying Embers last night and can’t wait to be back next month. Thanks to those of you who came out!
Here’s your tip!
When sending out holiday cards, include the producers who booked you this year.
It’s a nice gesture that not only says that you appreciate them, but also reminds them that you are interested in their shows.
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 13 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
It’s Friday again! Here’s your tip!
Masks are here for a while longer. Make or buy some that coordinate with your costumes and post-show outfits.
Depending on your local regulations and the requirements of the venue, you may need to wear a mask when you’re not actively performing or even when you are. You might as well make it into an opportunity for as glamorous a look as you can.
If you’ve got leftover fabric from making your own costumes, it’s easy enough to make a mask and glue on some decorations. If you don’t sew, there are a number of places you can get rhinestoned masks.
I have a tutorial for making origami-style masks for all tiers on my Patreon. I find this is the most comfortable style for long-term wear; it fastens around the back of your head rather than over your ears Although, if you’re a clever seamstress, you’ll figure how to make it with ear loops, if you prefer them.
Just for fun, here’s a cute picture of me visiting the Showstoppers costume exhibit in NYC, wearing a skirt and mask combo that I made.
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 13 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! It’s hard to believe that 2021 is almost over. I feel like this year has gone by so fast. But we’ve still got a few more weeks and a few more tips!
If you’re performing a sing-and-strip, design your act around the type of microphone you’ll be using.
Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. If you are using a hand-held, remember that one hand is always going to be encumbered, but you’re free to move around the stage however you like. If it’s a stand microphone, your hands are completely free, but you’re kind of stuck in place while you’re singing. If you’ve got a lavaliere microphone, you can move and your hands are free, but you’ll need a place to clip the transmitter that will stay on for the entire strip and to arrange the cord so it doesn’t get caught in your costume pieces as you strip.
With a little planning (and a lot of practice), you can dazzle the audience with your striptease and your voice and make it look easy!
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 13 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
I hope you had a good Thanksgiving or a pleasant Thursday, depending on your location and inclination.
Here’s your tip!
Make sure your tassels are entirely concealed inside your bra cups as you get dressed.
Just scoop them up into the cups as you’re putting your bra on. Not only do tassels hanging out below your bra look a little odd, you’re giving away part of your big reveal early!
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 13 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! Today’s tip was inspired by a conversation with a friend just this morning.
Refrain from licking your lips while you’re wearing glitter on them.
I know, it seems so obvious! And yet it can be so hard when it’s an unconscious gesture like that. Also, remember to use a straw when drinking! And always use cosmetic glitter.
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 13 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
It’s Friday! Here’s a tip!
In your emergency costume repair kit, have some needles pre-threaded with a doubled length of thread and knot the ends so the needle won’t slip off.
If you need to make a repair at a show, it’s usually something you need to do fast. With this tip you’ll just have to grab your needle and get to it. I like to have needles threaded with black (good for most dark colors), white (good for most light colors), and red (the most common color of my costumes). You can wrap the thread around a little slip of cardboard to keep it from tangling in your sewing kit.
Don’t forget to replenish the thread after you use it up, so you’ll always be ready!
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 12 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
It’s Friday! Today is also the penultimate performance of Vamps After Midnite! We’ve been having so much fun with this show and last night we had a special guest in the audience — Devora Darling! It was so good to see her in person.
Here’s your tip!
Know exactly where your props are at the top of the show.
Is this tip inspired by an actual incident? Maybe…
Before the show starts, check over your props and know where they are. If someone else is bringing them on for you, make sure you both know how and where that transfer will happen (do you hand them over before you go on stage? are they on a prop table back stage? &c.). It’s your responsibility as a performer to make sure your props are in good working order and in the correct location.
I’ve already written about kindergarten rules (aka respecting the property of others) which continue to apply. Take care of your own stuff and don’t mess with anyone else’s.
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 12 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
I write to you from a haze of exhaustion. Hell Week for Vamps After Midnight started on Monday and we’ve been going non-stop. First performance is tonight! (Wait, Mina, I thought it opened yesterday? Be patient, Dear Reader…)
Here’s your tip:
When hit with a sudden curve ball, think fast and be ready to run with a new plan.
Wednesday night we had our dress/tech rehearsal and someone from the venue was there for an inspection. After we wrapped, we were told we couldn’t use our set. Due to a complete lack of communication from the venue, we did not know that some materials used to build the flats were unacceptable to them. Three days of work (and Devastasia’s beautiful painting)! had to be torn down right then.
We canceled the Thursday night preview. Overnight Scratch redesigned the set and bought new, acceptable materials the next day. Unfortunately, Plan B didn’t work (it required a level floor, which the theatre does not have), so we headed directly to Plan C (with much cursing along the way).
The cast, many of whom are not theatre people, have been great, pitching in where ever they can and staying out of the way when they can’t. I am deeply grateful to all of them.
Anyway, the set is not as beautiful or clever or funny as we planned, but at least we can have a performance tonight.
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 12 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
This Friday is the calm before the storm that is Vamps After Midnite. On Monday Hell Week begins! Do you have your tickets?
This tip is for audience members, but obviously not you, my Dear Reader. You already know this.
Turn your phone off and enjoy the show.
I know we spent a lot of time without performances where audience and performer were in the same space.Just a little reminder that phones can be very distracting not just to you, but everyone around you. They make noise and light, neither of which is great during a show. Using your phone during a performance is disrespectful to the performers and to the audience.
I’ve seen people texting, posting, and even making phone calls during the show. Please step outside if communication is so urgent that it can’t wait until intermission or the end of the show. Because everyone has a camera in their pocket now, we’ve had audience members taking flash photos, taking selfies, and filming the performances. If you’re really compelled to take photos, please, please, please turn off your flash. It’s not just rude to inflict a sudden burst of light at everyone around you, it could be dangerous if the performers can’t see because of it.
Be present, without distraction, and enjoy the performance in real time.
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 12 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Oh, The Glamourous Life! 