So, I've been working at my new job now for over a month. I really like it here. But of course, my first show has to be the biggest show they've done in 87 years. Trial by fire much! To say the least. However, I have kicked major tuckus!!! I have 4 dressers that I'm in charge of. They are amazing. The show wouldn't run without them. I have really stretched myself and have learned so much in getting ready for this show. I had to put together the costume plot for 26 actors. It probably took at least 15-20 hours to put all of that together. Then I had to go through the script to find out where quick changes were. Went to rehearsals to time out entrances and exits and who was in what when. Then... I had to create track sheets for myself and my 4 dressers. A track sheet is a list for dressers of what costumes need to be where and when. It also tells them where they need to be at certain times to help dress actors and preset/hang costumes. Better known as the organized chaos that is the backstage. You will never know how hard it is to run a show and know all that really goes on backstage until you work a HUGE show like this. Anywho, so I made up those sheets. Then comes the fun part of tech week. Three 10 out of 12 days. In a row...which means you're working 10 out of 12 hours. 2 hour dinner break. That's the actors schedule. Totally different in the costume shop. We were here everyday from either 9 or 10 AM, and were here till about midnight everyday!!! Talk about being tired. Just a bit. But hey, I got through it. We all did. Don't know how that happened. 
So that's when the track sheets come into play. My dressers are truly amazing. This is the hard part for them. Most likely they haven't been to a rehearsal, so they have no idea whan the show is about, or the timing for anything. They frantically scribble down notes as they go along for things that need to change the next day. I fix the changes needed and they get new sheets each night. It's a big process of trial and error. On top of that is the insanely quick quick changes. Our main character is in disguise for a lot of the show. This includes a shirt, pant, vest, suit coat, bowtie, beard, mustache, and wig change. At one point he has to change out of the above named clothes and such, minus the coat, change into a shirt, tie and pants, be onstage for about a minute or so, then he's back off on the other side to get back into the disguise he just took off. This all takes place in about 5 minutes.
This is also the fun part where I have to litterally run across stage with discarded clothes in hand, run right behind the main curtain to the other side to meet 2 other dressers and wait for my actor to meet us coming off stage. This one was a pain in the butt during dress rehearsal. Oh, and did I mention that our main girl is changing at the same time with another dresser. Yeah, it's insane, but it's fun.
So that's when the track sheets come into play. My dressers are truly amazing. This is the hard part for them. Most likely they haven't been to a rehearsal, so they have no idea whan the show is about, or the timing for anything. They frantically scribble down notes as they go along for things that need to change the next day. I fix the changes needed and they get new sheets each night. It's a big process of trial and error. On top of that is the insanely quick quick changes. Our main character is in disguise for a lot of the show. This includes a shirt, pant, vest, suit coat, bowtie, beard, mustache, and wig change. At one point he has to change out of the above named clothes and such, minus the coat, change into a shirt, tie and pants, be onstage for about a minute or so, then he's back off on the other side to get back into the disguise he just took off. This all takes place in about 5 minutes.
This is also the fun part where I have to litterally run across stage with discarded clothes in hand, run right behind the main curtain to the other side to meet 2 other dressers and wait for my actor to meet us coming off stage. This one was a pain in the butt during dress rehearsal. Oh, and did I mention that our main girl is changing at the same time with another dresser. Yeah, it's insane, but it's fun. I wouldn't torture myself with all of this if I didn't love what I do and love my actors. This is just a small part of what's going on behind stage, along with many, many scene changes, moving sets, props, and other random things...including a car. Yes, a car. Onstage. 
No, it's not real, but it is driveable. So... in the middle of all of this, I moved into a house with 2 friends of mine. After about 3 weeks of saying that I was going to move in, I finally took my only two days off, finished painting my room, and moved my big stuff in. The rest of the small stuff will come in time. I'm so excited to be in this house with Amber and Garna. They are amazing people. We have people over all the time for various things. We have plans to set up the backyard for when it cools down with chairs, firepit, and my pool table. I can't wait. There is so much to do! This change feels good! Finally!
No, it's not real, but it is driveable. So... in the middle of all of this, I moved into a house with 2 friends of mine. After about 3 weeks of saying that I was going to move in, I finally took my only two days off, finished painting my room, and moved my big stuff in. The rest of the small stuff will come in time. I'm so excited to be in this house with Amber and Garna. They are amazing people. We have people over all the time for various things. We have plans to set up the backyard for when it cools down with chairs, firepit, and my pool table. I can't wait. There is so much to do! This change feels good! Finally!
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