Greetings from the “Y” Chromosome
“We Need to Talk” - Jim BoZ
Oh my. My second column and we're going to have a little chat, shall we? Let's make some tea. Here's a comfy chair. Snuggled in? Good. Now, let's not get defensive. I'll apologize in advance if this subject makes you feel uncomfortable. How shall we put this…
Men have been involved in performing this dance since long before I became more than a spectator. We're dancers and often professionals. All of us are generally on a different focus anticipating our performance while we're getting ready.
Guys need a safe place to change and (usually) apply stage makeup too.
I've been in a few shows over the years, and if it's a small local gig, I have no problem getting ready in the restroom when there's only a single suitable dressing area. However, when there is one dressing room, I have been subjugated to substandard conditions at times. These would include:
Having one fluorescent light fixture in the dressing room that is approximately 6 feet BEHIND the only mirrored area to apply makeup. (overall, it was basically a dark cave)
* Sharing a dressing room with moldy old coffee in cups and other trash.
* Sweltering heat (while suitable air conditioning is available in other rooms)
* Using a restroom at a location where they were open to the public during non-event times. (We're talking horridly filthy along the lines of restrooms in gas stations that have not been attended to in months!)
* Sharing a dressing room with a bucket of raw sewage dripping from pipes.
* Not being allowed to change with my troupe. (Hey, this is an excellent time for bonding before a performance.)
Now now now…I KNOW we all have delicious horror stories that would put many of these to shame. But in each of these situations, the women had clean, well lit, comfortable, temperature controlled rooms (often plural, yes!).
Worse yet: in at least one of these situations, I was one of the featured instructors/performers! Plus, in at least one, I was a member of a troupe. We had to use separate dressing rooms.
Uhh...getting ready for a show is an important bonding time for troupes.
Not that every promoter needs to find a special place for the guys. We accept the
fact that when there is limited resource for space, that we must be flexible. Easy to do. But in many situations, little attention has been considered.
Yeah. I said it! >Whew!< - How cathartic! Of course, if you ever want to bring this up AT an event, it's an automatic Diva label. Heck, I'll accept it…my troupe named me that already (among much harsher labels).
When you want a good show, you want your talent to be able to perform at their best. For someone to perform at their best, simple clean, well lit accommodations should be a priority on any promoter's list.
Hey, that sounded good. Shall we say that again?
When you want a good show, you want your talent to be able to perform at their best. Simple clean, well lit accommodations should be a priority on any promoter's list.
Perhaps we can compromise.
Promoters: let's consider the guys in your show if you have them. Remember we need lighting to add makeup too…often moreso because we're not always as skilled at it. If we're in a troupe, it's good for us to be with our troupe.
Dancers: The guys need to change too. We're happy with a corner, and not getting in the way. We're invited to a show right along with you, and we often spend as much time and money on our costumes you.
Guys: be respectful. If necessary, be flexible, but also clear in communicating what you need to excel in your art.
And if they give us the opportunity to shine, make us all proud and do a drop-dead awesome job, k?
