BWW Blog: Cheyenne Dalton - When Clothes Rip

Currently, I'm working on an adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. It's been one of my favorite stories since the first time I read it in high school, and I was interested to see it adapted on stage. Somehow, I'm not running sound for this show, so I picked up being a dresser instead. I've been a dresser once before, and the time constraint really stressed me out. But, I decided to try it out again. I've learned a lot doing this show - mainly because I truly understand my job now. The last time, I was running around, lost and confused. But I've learned a lot.

It's crazy how little time some people have between scenes or moments to change an entire outfit. And that somehow I can change them faster than they can change themselves. And that some people are so appreciative, and some people are not. And that being quiet backstage is a lot harder than you think it would be. Wigs are so much harder to deal with than I previously imagined. And that people rip their pants all the time and buttons pop off and snaps unsnap and hooks and bars are not matched up in the dark and shoes go on the wrong feet and makeup gets all over their costumes and they spill spirit gum on themselves.

I also realized just how much my love language is words of affirmation. Actors often tell me "thank you" when I get finished dressing them, and I remember those people. I also know the people that are rude and the ones that don't say anything to me the whole time - and the ones that constantly need something, and the ones who are self-sufficient. I have been blessed with a wonderful, hilarious crew, however, and there is never a dull moment backstage. One night, we pulled out a shirt from the wash and all of the buttons had fallen off. During our Sunday matinee, two pairs of pants ripped (one to the point of unrepair), and a shirt ripped, too. We are constantly in a state of repair and a little bit of dismay - but its okay, because we love what we do.

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