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amp24680
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bullet Topic: food for backstage and practice breaks
    Posted: 6/23/05 at 6:21pm

Does anybody have any ideas or recipes for food for singers and actors during a show or for practice during the breaks.  We're all getting sick of oranges and lemonade!

Thanks

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Gaafa
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bullet Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:34pm

G'donya!

I don?t think we ever bother about supplying food or drink.

So I can?t help - only in that all, we do supply is a cup of char or caffeine!

The only time I remember being supplied food, when I was about five, in my first paid job back stage. I was given a bottle of pop & a packet of crisps/performance.

These days beyond party?s or special occasions, food is their worry!

      Joe
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turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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Linda S
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bullet Posted: 6/24/05 at 2:07pm

The cast I am working with right now seems to be enjoying Twizzlers.

L.

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bullet Posted: 6/24/05 at 2:23pm

I do not think that food should be backstage during a performance.  You eat before you come to the theatre or after the show.  We do provide the cast with water, tea and hard candies and/or throat lozengers.

Susan
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k8tt
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bullet Posted: 6/27/05 at 12:20pm

As SM I usually give them hard candies right before the show to get their blood sugar up, then only water backstage.  At intermission in the green room they can have Twizzlers and/or fruit (grapes, apples, oranges).  I find that the sugar boost helps their energy levels.  Some cast members bring their own lozenges/candies.  As long as they aren't too 'chewy' or interfere with speaking/singing.

For long rehearsals (4 hours) with a large cast I lay out a spread for the break:  baked goods, tea/coffee/juice, Twizzlers, fruit, cheese & crackers.  For short rehearsals and smaller casts I let them bring their own food for break time.  Our policy is:  healthy snacks for breaks and no food and only bottled water in theatre/rehearsal/stage area.

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Tom_Rylex
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bullet Posted: 6/28/05 at 1:19am
Personally, I don't like to see anything but water during any practice or backstage. Anything with sugar can lead to more phlegm which interfers with a good stage voice, and especially a singing voice. (I'm sure someone's itching to say otherwise... go for it.).

Food or drink in general can't be spilled on props, stain costumes, draw bugs, give someone food poisoning, etc., if it's not there. Plus, there's nothing like the actor who goes on stage not knowing that he has chocolate chip cookies between half his teeth.

Before someone goes off on the blood sugar thing: if you eat a dense calorie, well balanced meal with something that gets converted into energy slowly (meats, cheese, etc.), you'll be fine with just water, even for the hell week marathon practices.

That being said, I know food during practices/performance breaks is part of the ritual for certain people. I don't bother to say anything unless I'm the SM, or if they get their cheeto fingers too close to my tuxedo for the next scene. If you must go with snacks, use things that aren't sticky, greasy or stain easily;  pretzels, plain popcorn, certain vegetables (baby carrots, green peppers).

I do have one exception to the water only guideline - Throat Coat Tea. I'm not big on herbal remedies, but I've found this to be a little bit helpful with reducing swelling for vocal cords. Frequently in community theatre, there's a singer who manages to stress their voice close to production time, and this is handy in a pinch.

-Tom
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But I have promises to keep,
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Linda S
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bullet Posted: 6/28/05 at 11:18am

For rehearsals I always have some kind snack for the actors: crackers and peanut butter, pretzels. Nothing so appealing that the kids can't keep out of it, but all too often I have had someone rush in late from work and they haven't had anything to eat. I find if they aren't thinking about their stomachs, they can listen to me. As soon as the costumes arrive there is never anything sticky or greasy. I always have water and tea at performance time and some candy always seems to sneak its way backstage. Like I said for this show it is Twizzlers. The last show it was jelly beans. I tell my SM  to confiscate anything that looks like a problem, otherwise I just ignore it.

L.

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Dustmac
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bullet Posted: 6/30/05 at 10:50pm
We provide water and softdrinks.
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pauliebonn
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bullet Posted: 7/02/05 at 1:39am

We have people bringing in snacks all of the time.  We love Twizzlers, and are big pretzel fiends.

 

But Tom, As a diabetic myself, it really doesn't matter how well you eat beforte a show.  Anytime during a performance, one's blood sugar could go down.  I usually have a small (really small), sandwich, and a small glass of Gatorade at intermission, so I wil not have any problems with the rest of the show.

 

We are always told not to eat in costume, but sometimes it has to be done.

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Wishbone
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bullet Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:24pm

We always have Twizzlers (spelling?). Normally strawberry and chocolate. It's a tradition. Twizzlers taste good and can't ruin costumes. Also, this is a youth theater and with kids you always need a little sugary snack at intermission. Besides, everyone love Twizzlers in my theater group!

 

WISHBONE

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