Beginning to build a kit for outdoor dance classes through Shawl-Anderson Dance Center in Berkeley, CA

From Blog Director Jill Randall:

From 2014-2016, I was in graduate school in the Saint Mary’s College low res MFA Program. I loved my time in the program, and Linda Baumgardner’s Stage Management class was one of my favorite courses. We did talk about running shows and calling cues, and the course also touched upon so many broader topics, including care of artists and collaborators, communication strategies, and envisioning many scenarios and situations that could come up in a show, rehearsal, or in a building. How do you see, support, and respond?

My MFA thesis was on outdoor site-specific dance, and my final project was a 45 minute walking tour in Emeryville, CA with 11 sections and an audience of 20 people each performance. During Linda’s course, I thought about the role of the Stage Manager within my project, and also the “Stage Manager’s kit” to carry along to care for artists and audience members alike. 

Today, I am riffing off of this idea and sharing a list of items to add to a bag or backpack as you embark upon socially distanced outdoor dance classes, rehearsals, and performances. Bring the bag along each time you are outside. (Linda, thank you for the guidance and inspiration!)

Most items can be purchased at your local drugstore or Target. 

 

In case of injury, cuts, and splinters:

-Latex gloves (4 sets)

-First aid kit, including Band-aids and Neosporin

-Ibuprofen

-Aspirin

-Benadryl

-Tweezers

-Crushable ice packs (2-4)

-Scissors

-Kleenex

-Athletic tape

 

For cleaning up the space:

-Trash bags (2)

-Small dustpan and broom

-A few pieces of paper towel

 

In times of COVID-19:

-Spare masks (2)

-Hand sanitizer

 

For being outdoors:

-Sunscreen

-Spare pair of cheap sunglasses

 

Some paperwork/related supplies:

-Blank paper

-Pens

-Sharpie

-Blue painters tape

-Blank injury report forms from your organization

 

Your contact info:

-Business cards 

-Brochures

-Copy of permit for the use of the space (if applicable), or copy of info stating that where you are is a public space open to all

-If you have a group of students, do you have a list of their contact info and emergency contacts?

 

Tech help:

-Spare batteries

-Phone charger

-Backup portable speaker

 

Miscellany:

-Clif Bars and Clif Bloks (for low blood sugar, people needing food)

-Two small bottles of water

——

Plus – FYI for any space or gathering:

-Where is the closest fire station?

-Where might the closest AED device be located?

-Are any artists and guests allergic to bees? Do they have medicine or an epi-pen on hand?

 

Download Kit Checklist

 

Please add further ideas below in the Comments section. Thank you!

Be safe, and keep dancing!