Every actor dreads the two words that mean “hustle your butt”: quick change. We’ve all had one, or we’ll have one eventually. Whether you’ve got 2 minutes or 20 seconds to change, someone inevitably swears to Patti Lupone that “they’ll go insane by the end of this show.”
But wait! Back it up. Take it from someone who’s been both an actor (with a 9-second quick change) and a dresser (who shed an actress of her apron, dress, corset, bloomers, underskirt, stockings, and unbraided her tightly wound hair…only to redress her in a nightgown…and cover her with blood—in a matter of a minute). Enter the experience with grace and positivity, and everyone will be the better for it.

Before every show: Check. Your. Costumes.

Make sure you have every costume piece you need, in the order you need it. There’s nothing worse than not being able to find your shoes or your shirt when you need to be on stage in six seconds.

Have your bobby pins ready to go.

If you need to create an up-do during your quick change, make sure you give your dresser the bobby pins you want to use. Also, if you’re wearing two differently colored wigs, make sure you have the bobby pins to match the hair color (they sell these at any drug store).

Stop. Take a breath. Smile.

Quick changes are stressful, so approach them as you would any situation that makes you feel like you might panic: stop and take a breath. And if you haven’t got a moment in between your exit and your quick change, breathe in the middle of your transition.

Get ready to hustle. It’s GO TIME.

When you’ve finally met with your dresser backstage, understand that they are READY. Do your absolute best to match their preparedness. Be present and aware of their needs. Move quickly and efficiently.

Be nice to your dressers!

They make you look good. They are (sometimes) your only mirror. Treat them with respect and know that they also have an important job. Their skill and speed make or break your next entrance, so be nice!

Stay positive, and refrain from complaining.

As with any high-stress situation, negativity only makes things worse. If you don’t like the way your dress hangs on your shoulders, or if you hate the color of your dress shirt, save your qualms for later. They don’t help you or the dresser in the moment of the quick change. Keep it positive.

Ask your dresser, “Is there anything I can do to help you?”

If there is, do your best to complete that task for your dresser; they’re also under a lot of pressure! If there isn’t, stand still so they can work their magic.

Listen to your dresser. LISTEN TO THEM.

If your dresser tells you to stand still, do it. They may be pinning your dress so it doesn’t fly open on stage. If your dresser tells you to stand up straight, do it! They’re probably trying to make sure your Hamlet is the hottest dude in Denmark. A quick change should be a quiet, quick, efficient experience for all parties involved. Do what they tell you; you’ll thank them for it later.

Say, “Thank you.”

You all just went through hell together, right? Tell your dresser how much you appreciate them and their skills by saying, “Thank you.” If you’re mic’ed and you can’t say anything, then mouth it. If you’ve got no time, say it after the show.

Always shake their hand.

Nothing means more in business than a good, honest handshake. It shows your dresser, and your fellow actors who may have helped you, that you respect their professionalism and efforts to make you look the best you can. Always end on a positive note at the end of the night, and leave the other person/people better than they were before you saw them.

Ashleigh Gardner received her AA in Theatre/Drama/Dramatic Arts from Valencia College and her Bachelor’s in English Literature and Master’s in Literary, Cultural, and Textual Studies from the University of Central Florida. She is a playwright and an actor.