Recently I was pleased when producer Ken Davenport featured Arbender Robinson, a Dance Captain/Swing on his blog. From reading this account, I am inspired to share my own experience approaching such a heavy job!
First off, many of you might not know what a Swing is or does! Often when I tell people I'm the Male Swing on Beauty and the Beast, they say "I don't remember that character in the castle!" :)
Essentially, as Swing I am an on-call actor. If someone can't do the show (due to illness, injury, or conflict), I fulfill their performance, or track. My job is to cover the eight tracks of the male ensemble. I was also hired to understudy Lefou. In an emergency situation, I also cover the eight female ensemble tracks in the town scenes!
Requirements:
Arbender spoke very accurately when he said swinging "requires a ton of homework to remember different vocal parts, blocking, choreography, and acting intentions for each character. This includes everything they do offstage, too: costume changes, prop shifts, entrances and exits, etc."
Swinging requires a person to be very organized and detail oriented to document and implement every nuance of a role. In addition, one has to delineate what is critical to the show vs. an individual's artistic choices. One has to be able to fulfill ALL the critical requirements AND adapt/adopt the artistic choices.
Tips/Tricks:
It's easiest to get everything down first! I choose to work digitally through videos, notes, charts and tracking sheets. Once in the computer, it's easy to clean up and implement changes. Digital notation makes it easy to record future notes, modifications and discoveries as well as preserve the work for future generations!
While I'd love to elaborate on my methodology of digital notation, it is my hope to find freelance work after this tour teaching my process to stage managers, dance captains, swings and any directors/choreographers interested in preserving or selling their work. Swinging is a very difficult job and I am hopeful that my process can be further refined and perfected to become useful to others.
I will say that if one finds themselves in a Swing role, begin by WRITING THINGS DOWN. Many of your questions can be answered by returning to your own notes! Look at the big picture. Find the patterns first, and then notate the myriad variations with MAXIMUM specificity.
Hint: Think about movement in terms of US/DS (or upstage and downstage!) as well as towards center or away. (It will help you to quickly reverse things!)
Pitfalls:
You get MANY days off!
Inevitable anxiety...
Positives:
You get MANY days off!
You get to play MANY parts!
I really enjoy my job because every day is different! Performing the same role everyday in a long run has its advantages and disadvantages. However, Swinging Beauty and the Beast has taught me things about myself and theatre that I would never have garnered if I didn’t get to observe and do so much!
I am grateful and proud of this show and hope you'll get the opportunity to see it--with or without me in it! :)
Showing posts with label tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tour. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Tony's Tour Tips
Greetings from New Haven, CT and the Town and Castle of Disney's Beauty and the Beast!
Though this is my first tour, I feel I've learned things I didn't know before. Therefore, I wanted to share some touring tips for my friends (heading into tours of A CHORUS LINE, THE COLOR PURPLE, and SPAMALOT) that will help save money and sanity!
Errands
Hotel
Hope our paths cross out there!!!
(((LOVE)))
Tony
Though this is my first tour, I feel I've learned things I didn't know before. Therefore, I wanted to share some touring tips for my friends (heading into tours of A CHORUS LINE, THE COLOR PURPLE, and SPAMALOT) that will help save money and sanity!
Errands
- Banking
- Obviously, notify them you'll be traveling!
- Go paperless.
- It's the dawning of the age of greenness!
- You don't want Mom involved in your financial affairs...
- Register for a rewards card.
- Charge everything.
- Set up a Mint.com account for budgeting.
- Print your statements for your accountant at tax season!
- Use your points for recreational travel or a pre-paid Christmas!
- Direct deposit will keep money IN your account...
- Set up auto-pay for your bills.
- Research
- Learn about the rules of minimalism (You don't want to carry things you won't need).
- Sign up for all rewards programs
- Hotels
- Airlines
- Pharmacies
- Retail
- Starbucks
- Follow Tony's tips!
Packing
- Get good luggage (Heys has been suggested)
- Something lightweight yet durable...
- Leave room to grow
- Get a smart phone, stupid!
- Lost? I'll get directions!
- Need Yelp? Find out what others recommend.
- Instant pics and videos and access to your Twitter and Facebook!
- Download free podcasts
- Keep your business going--email all day long!
- Buy a durable external hard drive
.
- Back it up (You don't want to lose your stuff)!
- Use Handbrake to rip your favorite movies and TV shows!
- Keep yourself entertained on long travel days
- Share with your tour mates!
- Pack a power strip
. Some hotels only have ONE outlet!!!
- Buy Purex's new detergent sheets
. It saves space and is less messy.
Bus
- Find the perfect bus buddy.
- Someone you don't see all the time--but will and can!
- Find your position (I would suggest you sleep on the floor and get an aisle seat).
- Buy a shower caddy
for the bus window.
- Store your headphones
and *headphone splitter
!
- Keep some snacks on board!
- Invest in a foam egg crate
and good pillow
!
- A sleep mask
and Benadryl
can also help you to get good rest...
Hotel
- Eat ANY free food.
- ...sneak some home for later!
- You can easily make oatmeal and coffee in your room!
- Grocery shopping saves SO much money...
- Call ahead to get a fridge and microwave.
- A plugged sink with ice can serve as a mini fridge!
- If the front desk is "out of quarters," refund your dollars in their vending machines! Hotcha!
- Ask your local crew and staff for recommendations.
- Find the hot restaurants and bars!
- Get the best stylist in town!
- Going out is expensive...
- Pre-game at home and BYOB!
- Ask about specials/happy hour when arriving.
- Just say no (once in a while).
Hope our paths cross out there!!!
(((LOVE)))
Tony
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Backstage Tour of Disney's Beauty and the Beast
Check out this backstage video tour I gave in Ft. Myers, FL! It gives you a nice insider perspective of the show.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Finding "Home" on the Road
It's been a while since I've written--mainly because I've been insanely busy performing the last two weeks with Beauty and the Beast!
Rather than elaborate on the show and the pandemonium of split tracks and traveling, I'd like to write more about what I'm learning and exploring.
1.) What do you want to do after this tour?
Those closest to me know that I'm always planning and thinking ahead. It's a weakness of mine. Sometimes I wish I lived a more reactive/present life than a proactive/prospective one. Regardless, by setting micro and macro goals, I'm maintaining financial security and striving to reach my potential. I have many side interests and am currently torn about what to do with the rest of my life!
In the next 10 years, I want to:
1. Garner critical appraise in roles (Regional/NYC)
2. Have financial security
3. Establish community
4. Be healthy
5. Challenge myself
Ideally, I'd like these five ambitions to be lifelong.
I LOVE theatre and I've been fortunate in working consistently. (Success!) I could continue to explore this path--but I'm finding myself unsatisfied with the type of roles I'm booking. Eventually, I want to take on more prominent roles that require all of my skills--specifically in NYC.
I have an opportunity to return to NY and sign with a prominent dance agency, but I'm considering taking a year or two off to go to graduate school. I want to study voice and acting in a focused distraction-free zone. I need to garner confidence and an optimized identity. I want support and feedback from teachers that are actively interested in my growth and development. What is most important to me is that I don't look back at my decisions/life with regret.
I wonder whether taking two years off to study and invest would bring me this work faster than trying to broaden and develop my craft while active in my profession? Perhaps it is better to work, approach auditions differently, and seek understudy opportunities?
It's a difficult decision that I'm only beginning to investigate. I have plenty of time to explore/ponder/research/evaluate with my current contract. I will continue to talk it out with my friends and family but welcome any advice/commentary should any colleagues read this! :)
2.) What are you doing/learning while on tour?
Tour life is exhausting. Often I don't know what day it is or what city I'm in. This blur can be attributed to our early status. We are still daily rehearsing, learning, tweaking, and adjusting (I'm reminded of Wendy Mortimer's adage "Every show is a rehearsal.") alongside the creative team.
I am learning to survive "homelessness" by reaching out to close friends and family--while creating a new family on the road! I invite you to share email updates, photos or video chat with me!
I'm slowly becoming a minimalist. I am learning to evaluate what I need, what matters, and how to prioritize function for space! I feel that when I return to an apartment (in NYC or at a university), I will find myself selling possessions in favor of clarity, organization, and cleanliness.
While I'm on tour I've set four priorities, based on many articles on minimalism.
Rather than elaborate on the show and the pandemonium of split tracks and traveling, I'd like to write more about what I'm learning and exploring.
1.) What do you want to do after this tour?
Those closest to me know that I'm always planning and thinking ahead. It's a weakness of mine. Sometimes I wish I lived a more reactive/present life than a proactive/prospective one. Regardless, by setting micro and macro goals, I'm maintaining financial security and striving to reach my potential. I have many side interests and am currently torn about what to do with the rest of my life!
In the next 10 years, I want to:
1. Garner critical appraise in roles (Regional/NYC)
2. Have financial security
3. Establish community
4. Be healthy
5. Challenge myself
Ideally, I'd like these five ambitions to be lifelong.
I LOVE theatre and I've been fortunate in working consistently. (Success!) I could continue to explore this path--but I'm finding myself unsatisfied with the type of roles I'm booking. Eventually, I want to take on more prominent roles that require all of my skills--specifically in NYC.
I have an opportunity to return to NY and sign with a prominent dance agency, but I'm considering taking a year or two off to go to graduate school. I want to study voice and acting in a focused distraction-free zone. I need to garner confidence and an optimized identity. I want support and feedback from teachers that are actively interested in my growth and development. What is most important to me is that I don't look back at my decisions/life with regret.
I wonder whether taking two years off to study and invest would bring me this work faster than trying to broaden and develop my craft while active in my profession? Perhaps it is better to work, approach auditions differently, and seek understudy opportunities?
It's a difficult decision that I'm only beginning to investigate. I have plenty of time to explore/ponder/research/evaluate with my current contract. I will continue to talk it out with my friends and family but welcome any advice/commentary should any colleagues read this! :)
Tour life is exhausting. Often I don't know what day it is or what city I'm in. This blur can be attributed to our early status. We are still daily rehearsing, learning, tweaking, and adjusting (I'm reminded of Wendy Mortimer's adage "Every show is a rehearsal.") alongside the creative team.
I am learning to survive "homelessness" by reaching out to close friends and family--while creating a new family on the road! I invite you to share email updates, photos or video chat with me!
I'm slowly becoming a minimalist. I am learning to evaluate what I need, what matters, and how to prioritize function for space! I feel that when I return to an apartment (in NYC or at a university), I will find myself selling possessions in favor of clarity, organization, and cleanliness.
While I'm on tour I've set four priorities, based on many articles on minimalism.
- Craft
- Read books
- Stay up to date on current events
- Rehearse every night
- Health
- Listen to your body
- Eat right
- Reserve some time for yourself
- Work for optimal strength and flexibility
- Graphic Design
- Continue to develop skills
- Freelance for supplemental income
- Consider online courses
- Create!
- Exploration
- Research graduate programs
- Research teachers/studios/opportunities in NYC
- Consider taking another international excursion!
Now isn't this a better blog than my typical ramblings about the show?! :)
Warmly,
Tony
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