improv clothes
Misc notes on clothing
Wear a watch. This has become such an important item. We’ve had some 20 minute show slots and some 30 minute show slots. Until you’ve been performing for a while, it’s hard to tell how much time has past. I’ve been performing for 4 years and still need that watch. Also, wear a watch that won’t come off. I had one that wrapped around and was held together by a spring, not a latch. It flew off several times during scenes or warm ups. I then bought a watch with a clasp.
For girls
Don’t wear short shorts or dresses. The audience doesn’t want to see your lady parts. Stay away from tube tops/halter tops/low cut shirts. I had a scoop neck on for one performance, and Faith brought it to my attention that you could see straight down it every time I bent over. Think of a performance as a work out. You want to be able to move freely at all times. I remember seeing a Baby Wants Candy show and one of the characters was a gymnast. The entire cast ended up picking her up at one point and flipping her over and doing an entire routine. You never know what a scene will call for, so be prepared.
Don’t wear heavy jewelry. There’s nothing more distracting than giant hoop earrings that you’re afraid might get pulled out during a physical scene or a clunky necklace that makes noise, or a trendy belt that keeps getting fidgeted with.
Another lesson I learned was to wear secure pants. At my last Remainders show at PIF two years ago I wore black dress sweat pants. But they didn’t have a draw string. They just pulled up. At one point, Jose and I were wrestling and I didn’t go full out b/c I was afraid of losing my pants. It was still a funny scene, but if I had been able to go all out, it could have killed. Losing one’s pants isn’t really all that funny. Most of the time it just makes the audience uncomfortable. I’ve even seen that in liberal audiences.
Wear a watch. This has become such an important item. We’ve had some 20 minute show slots and some 30 minute show slots. Until you’ve been performing for a while, it’s hard to tell how much time has past. I’ve been performing for 4 years and still need that watch. Also, wear a watch that won’t come off. I had one that wrapped around and was held together by a spring, not a latch. It flew off several times during scenes or warm ups. I then bought a watch with a clasp.
For girls
Don’t wear short shorts or dresses. The audience doesn’t want to see your lady parts. Stay away from tube tops/halter tops/low cut shirts. I had a scoop neck on for one performance, and Faith brought it to my attention that you could see straight down it every time I bent over. Think of a performance as a work out. You want to be able to move freely at all times. I remember seeing a Baby Wants Candy show and one of the characters was a gymnast. The entire cast ended up picking her up at one point and flipping her over and doing an entire routine. You never know what a scene will call for, so be prepared.
Don’t wear heavy jewelry. There’s nothing more distracting than giant hoop earrings that you’re afraid might get pulled out during a physical scene or a clunky necklace that makes noise, or a trendy belt that keeps getting fidgeted with.
Another lesson I learned was to wear secure pants. At my last Remainders show at PIF two years ago I wore black dress sweat pants. But they didn’t have a draw string. They just pulled up. At one point, Jose and I were wrestling and I didn’t go full out b/c I was afraid of losing my pants. It was still a funny scene, but if I had been able to go all out, it could have killed. Losing one’s pants isn’t really all that funny. Most of the time it just makes the audience uncomfortable. I’ve even seen that in liberal audiences.