dressin' fancy

kaci_beeler · Post by **kaci_beeler** » March 17th, 2009, 11:35 am

I think often, one might say almost too often, about how a performer should/could dress when they are onstage. Your clothing affects how you look and how you move.

About 4 years ago I thought it was really cool when improv performers dressed all hip with their own personal style really showing through. Now I waffle on how I feel about it, keeping to a few basic personal rules.

One thing to keep in mind - an audience will be staring at you, and since you move around a lot in improv, every bit of you, for 25-85 minutes.

Basic Rule #1 Wear clothes that are generally not distracting
If your jeans are too low, it's likely you'll bend over at some point and they'll see your butt. Eeep. Hitching up your pants = distracting. Seeing your crack = distracting.
Same thing with a low cut top. I've seen so much cleavage when watching improv shows. It's a nice top, but then you go to play certain characters and next thing you know you're showing the audience your goods.
In my book, clothing shouldn't distract too much from the focus - the performance. I think there are some shows where a performer can stand out and be glam all they like - like special ensemble shows that really showcase an individual performer and their style. Or if you wear your style so well it doesn't get in the way. If everyone in the show is wearing dark colors and one performer is wearing a glitter top, it's going to stand out big time. It's not very balanced or of a nice aesthetic.

Basic Rule #2 Appropriate footwear
Don't wear sandals onstage. Flip-flops especially.
My personal rule is for performers to wear closed-toed shoes. People I've worked with or forced the rule on has made fun of me for it but I think it's important. You want flexibility of movement and control. And because improv is spontaneous and can get chaotic, you don't want to get your toes stepped on.

Basic Rule #3 Modesty
Being a lady who has clothing options like skirts and dresses, I try to avoid options that restrict my movement (unless I'm restricting my movement because it's a choice or character). No one wants to see your undies. Seriously, if the audience even thinks they can see up your skirt it makes them distracted and usually uncomfortable. An easy solution is to pair the outfit with dark leggings or, like we do in Start Trekkin' (when we have tiny dresses and yet learn stage combat...), wear small black shorts underneath. Lately I've been wearing skirts/dresses over nice pants. I don't want to compromise my ability to be feminine but I also don't want to feel uncomfortable or trapped because of what I'm wearing.

You just never know what is going to happen, and you don't want to stop yourself from the ability to go there because of what you have on. That's silly.

I agree with Kareem on all points of dressing nice. I think it helps to put the performer into a "time to do this show and do it well" mindset and gives the audience a good impression that the performers care.

In scripted performances we often look at the lighting, costume, and set design as well as the performers. Same with film.
You are the show in most improv. So how you look is important.

arthursimone · Post by **arthursimone** » March 17th, 2009, 11:36 am

does anyone want to do a naked cagematch with me???

The Institution Theater · March 17th, 2009, 11:52 am

arthursimone wrote:does anyone want to do a naked cagematch with me???

Yes.

erin · Post by **erin** » March 17th, 2009, 11:56 am

kaci_beeler wrote: ...I've seen so much cleavage when watching improv shows.. .

you're welcome! wink wink

DollarBill · Post by **DollarBill** » March 17th, 2009, 12:00 pm

Yeah... I think about this a lot actually. I generally agree with dressing up. Generally. I like to do it. But I think the issue generally boils down to the age old improv debate of weather you are performing for the audience or yourself. I don't wanna hijack the thread though. I'm sure there's already another thread where we bickered about that.

ratliff · Post by **ratliff** » March 17th, 2009, 2:18 pm

Tom Booker wrote:
arthursimone wrote:does anyone want to do a naked cagematch with me???
Yes.

In.

The Institution Theater · March 17th, 2009, 2:19 pm

ratliff wrote:
Tom Booker wrote:
arthursimone wrote:does anyone want to do a naked cagematch with me???
Yes.
In.

It will cost $75 for a ticket. No comps. And the money goes to charity.

TexasImprovMassacre · March 17th, 2009, 6:22 pm

I appreciate both the thoughtful comments as well as the bits.

I should start saving now to afford the naked show.

starkserious · Post by **starkserious** » March 23rd, 2009, 1:39 am

Basic Rule #2 Appropriate footwear
Don't wear sandals onstage. Flip-flops especially.
My personal rule is for performers to wear closed-toed shoes. People I've worked with or forced the rule on has made fun of me for it but I think it's important. You want flexibility of movement and control. And because improv is spontaneous and can get chaotic, you don't want to get your toes stepped on.

I agree big time on this...NO Open toe footware! I'll step on there damn toes.

arthursimone · Post by **arthursimone** » March 23rd, 2009, 2:30 am

I've gotten to enjoy Buddy Daddy shows without wearing shoes at all...

The idea is that I stay very flexible and loose, and if I get stepped on by Robin it tickles

spantell · Post by **spantell** » March 23rd, 2009, 7:20 pm

I had a teacher who told us to dress neutral. It's a little harder to be convincing as a man wearing heels and a ton of make-up. Also, if you wear a t-shirt with words on it, that might affect the audience. And even stylishness reduces your neutrality. I like the neutrality idea, so prefer to wear a plain shirt and pants.

DELETED · Post by **DELETED** » August 25th, 2009, 6:27 am

DELETED