Information for Participants
It is almost time to start this year's Project.
Please make sure you read ALL the important information on this page to be as prepared as you can to make it through the Project Weekend and have the best possible experience.
THE PACKING LIST
The full packing list is primarily for the cast. The list is different for men and women, and each list has three sections - compulsory items, requested items and optional items. We cannot guarantee that everything on the list will be used, so please do not purchase anything for the Project, especially anything on the requested or optional lists.
The packing list for the band is similar to the cast list, though much reduced.
Crew and Support will be advised by email of any supplies, clothing, etc they are required to bring; however, all volunteers are encouraged to have a look at the optional items on the cast list and see if there's anything you can or would like to contribute.
We also invite anyone to bring air mattresses and/or bedding suitable for the sleep room. These can be dropped off to the Support Desk on arrival and will be set up for everyone to use.
Please NAME EVERYTHING and pack into one suitcase.
FROM THE SUPPORT TEAM!
Here are a few important notes for everyone:
REMINDER: If you already have a Pink Lanyard (the 72 Hour Club) please wear it on the weekend. We don't have enough to replace them! Some people will be eligible to join the club and will get one!
COME WARMED UP! As soon as the show if announced we will be rehearsing, there is no time to warm up. Do some vocal warm ups in the car, have a big stretch and be ready to go when the clock strikes 6pm.
SUPPORT DESK : If you need anything, have a question, need a toothbrush. Pop to the Support desk and they will be able to help you. Someone can walk you to where you need to be or help out. This will be the source of all knowledge.
SIGNING IN : On arrival please make sure that you sign in. We expect that you will be staying the whole time, however if you have to leave and when the BAND leaves, please sign out before you go.
MASSAGE: we will have a couple of massage therapists available for the project. One will be chair massage, that you can just rock up to the support desk. The other is a lie down short massage that you will need to book in for. Once you have your schedule you can decide when it might suit you to pop in for a bit of down time. Please ask at the support desk where you can book in. - THIS IS ANYONE Band, cast and crew.
REHEARSAL TRACKS & VIDEOS : After announcement you will get access to a folder with rehearsal material - Please bring headphones so that you can listen quietly in the times you are not rehearsing.
RUNNING LINES & VOCALS: There will be times that you may have a break and wish to run over some music, vocal parts or dance. Pop over to the support desk and we will have volunteers or find an appropriate person to help you. Don't be shy, just come and ask!
SLEEP ROOM : We have a room for sleep! There will be a support team member in the room at all times. When you arrive let the support person know your name, how long you want to sleep and where in the room you will lie down. Then pop your lanyard with your name up next to your pillow and off you go to sleep. The support person will then come and wake you at your requested time!
HOW TO SURVIVE THE PROJECT
This is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself – vocally, physically & mentally. Be prepared. Monitor yourself and use the buddy system to monitor those around you.
Here’s some tips to help you survive the rehearsal period:
Get plenty of sleep or have a good nap before we start – if you can fit it into your schedule, try adjusting your sleep pattern early so you can sleep through most of the day on Saturday; or make sure you have a good restful nap in the afternoon before you arrive at the Theatre. Make sure you pack up everything you need early (or the night before), so you can rest easy. Plan to nap, have a shower and head to the Theatre for 4pm or 5pm depending on your call.
Eat regularly and eat well – have a hearty meal for lunch on Saturday, high in protein and vegies. No need to carb-load, protein is your best bet. Pay attention to your snacking during the day too, remembering protein is your friend. Carbs and sugary sweets are not necessarily helpful in the long run; while they give you a brief burst of energy, this can be followed by a ‘crash’ that can make you more tired. Complex carbs and proteins give you steady energy release (yoghurt, nuts, fruit, vegie snacks, whole grains)
Drink plenty of water - If you are dehydrated, it can make you feel fatigued. Make sure to drink plenty of water in the days (plural!) before and during the rehearsal period. Bonus: this will do wonders for your singing voice too!
DON’T OVERUSE CAFFEINE - Drinks that contain caffeine (such as coffee, tea, coke/pepsi and energy drinks) can give you energy and alertness in the short term, so when you are feeling tired, these can be good options to get re-energized. However, caffeine’s effects may last only a few hours, and leave you feeling even more tired afterwards. There is also a significant health risk to too much caffeine. A safe amount of caffeine for adults is 400mg per day (about four cups of brewed coffee). When trying to stay awake, have no more than this so that you don't become jittery and suffer from a severe "crash." Wait until you really need it to have some caffeine, and avoid it during the day beforehand. This will help to maximize its effects and minimize the “crash” factor. Green tea may be a better option than coffee, as it has less caffeine and is high in antioxidants that are good for your overall health. Remember too that energy drinks such as V are already overloaded with caffeine and caffeine-like substances, making them very easy to ‘overdose’ on. Avoid energy drinks altogether if you can. Be the turtle in this race – not the hare!
Stop and breathe - Getting plenty of oxygen contributes to physical energy and mental alertness. If you are trying to stay awake, periodically try one of these breathing exercises for a boost: > Sit up straight. Put one hand on your belly and the other on your chest. Inhale deeply through your nose. You should feel the hand on your belly raise, but the hand on your chest should not move. Breathe out slowly, with your mouth barely open. Use your hand on your belly to push air out, if you want. Repeat this exercise ten times. > Quickly inhale and exhale through your nose (about three breaths a second), keeping your mouth closed. Then breathe normally. Repeat this process for fifteen seconds or more.
Power nap - A brief nap can actually increase your energy and alertness when you are trying to stay awake. However, you should only nap for 10-25 minutes and you should not take more than one nap a day. Make sure to set an alarm clock so that you will wake up from your nap. You may also feel groggy when you first wake up from your nap, so give yourself some time to get back to normal. If you can’t fall asleep, even closing your eyes and resting for 10 minutes can reinvigorate you.
Use your down time wisely – if you want to rest, go to the quiet room and rest; however, if you want to study stay in a well lit area, preferably with fresh air. Trying to concentrate on your script while giving your body sleep signals (dim room, lying or lounging, even sitting on the floor rather than a chair) will be much harder.
Don’t be afraid to admit defeat – If you’re feeling sick please tell someone in the room and we will have you escorted to the quiet room to rest. Signs of physical exhaustion to look out for are: nausea, light-headedness or headache, feeling shaky or trembling, feeling physically anxious, and in severe cases, migraine or chest pain. This is neither a contest nor a test of will. Please look after yourself first and foremost.
Be kind and try to stay upbeat – nothing tires you out more than negativity. A good mood will serve you well, and will do wonders for everyone around you. Recognise when you need your own space and respect when others need the same; and… in the words of Elle Woods, “keep it positive!”
I just felt like there should be 10 tips, so here’s one more for the road – Remember that you chose to be here. Whatever happens during our time together, if you’re disappointed with your role or the show we end up doing, if the people you usually work with aren’t there, if things aren’t the way you would do it, put that all aside; we are all here with a common goal so help us get there. Our purpose has been met the second the project begins, because we have brought you all together. When we accomplish the impossible and stage a full-scale musical in only 24 hours, that will be our bonus reward!