A Day in the Life: On Tour with NYGASP

PACKING:

Make sure you pack enough clothes for the whole trip - no time for laundry on NYGASP’s typical “one night only” schedule - we travel to a different town and theater every day!
Still perfecting those patter song lyrics? Preparing an upcoming role for this spring? Don’t forget to bring your music along for score-study on the tour bus.

GETTING THERE:

Planes, trains, and automobiles! While the crew loads and drives the truck with our sets and costumes from our NJ warehouse, the cast flies to our first tour destination. Meanwhile, a local pickup orchestra prepares to meet us at our first stop. They’ll then travel with us via tour bus for the remainder of the tour.
The Tour Bus Tango: We’ll be spending many hours on board our 50-passenger charter bus. Don’t be late for bus call if you want a certain seat!
Our travel times can range anywhere from 2-3 hours to 12+ hour full travel days in between distant bookings. Books, board games (Settlers of Catan, anyone?), and gossip help pass the time. The Mikado tour even featured a mobile hair salon as several cast members decided to “braid the raven hair” enroute to our next theater.

DOWNTIME:

Precious downtime on tour is for local sightseeing or R&R at the hotel. Cast members hit the hotel gym to shake off the stillness of traveling, explore local museums and cuisine (coffee please!), and FaceTime with loved ones in a rare moment of solitude. Tour is awesome for camaraderie, but time to yourself is at a premium.

ARRIVING AT THE THEATRE:

Annette Dieli, our Assistant Stage Manager, meets us at the stage door and guides us to our dressing rooms. Which way is the Green Room (Break Room)? Where’s the Crossover (backstage passage between Stage Left and Stage Right)? Is there a place for me to warm up (is this stairwell too echo-y)?
Stage Manager Genevieve Bergeret keeps us all organized and on time, paging us to stage. Quick - get your character shoes on - it’s time for orchestra and spacing rehearsal!

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT:

At the start of every tour, we have a 3-hour rehearsal onstage with the orchestra right before our first show. We run through every number in the show, led by Maestro Bergeret, and get our bearings on a new stage in a new space. It’s fun to hear everything coming together - but it is tiring! Make sure to save some energy for the show!
Rehearsal thoughts: Did I check my props? Find my light? (Thanks to Ben Weill - our lighting designer extraordinaire!) How are the acoustics? Where are the floor microphones? Remember to TELL THE STORY!

FAMILY MEAL:

After rehearsal, everyone heads to dinner usually provided by the theater. Actors, orchestra, staff, and crew catch up and refuel for an exciting kickoff performance.

HALF HOUR TIL SHOWTIME:

Time for makeup, costumes, warming up, and getting ready to start the show! “String the lyre, fill the cup” and get hydrated for all the intricacies of a Sullivan score. Some actors even bring portable facial steamers to keep their voices in tiptop shape. (Coconut water is my fave!)
Overture is about to begin - PLACES!

CURTAIN UP, LIGHT THE LIGHTS:

Now the real work begins (or the most fun part - or both!) as we perform Gilbert and Sullivan’s timeless works for an enthusiastic audience. Since we’re in a different town each night, it’s so interesting to discover where the laughs hit for different places, and what resonates with each audience.
Intermission! Regroup, have a snack, sign some posters for the theater, and gear up for the 2nd Act!

BREAKFAST AND BUS CALL:

Pack up the luggage, scope out the hotel breakfast (mmm…Mickey waffles in Orlando!), and don’t be late for bus call.
Tour Manager and cast member Michael Galante calls roll on board, and “away we go to an island fair,” or at least, the next stop as we bring the joy of G&S to another theater!