When you have an engagement that’s more than a weekend, but less than a month, packing is a challenge. Read on to learn what to bring with you to make the most of your singing experience and maintain your health and sanity.
When you have a short gig, packing can seem daunting. You don’t want to take too much stuff, but you also want your needs to be met and to have the comforts of home. Here is a list of what to bring on a short gig. This may be a helpful starting place for those of you heading for summer young artist programs or for summer travel abroad as well!
First, consider your method of travel. If you’re flying, you’ll want to minimize what you take, and may only want to bring a carry-on to reduce fees. Many companies will pay the base fare, and “extras,” including a checked bag, are on you. Take this into consideration when you decide what your “wants” versus “must haves” are while packing.
If you’re driving, you’ll have more space, but don’t let yourself over-pack just because you can! It’s harder to unpack at your engagement, find the things you’ve packed, and makes it more likely that you will leave something behind. Also, unpacking at home becomes a bother!
Here are the clothing essentials you’ll need:
- Enough clothing for the duration of the gig—take the time to list out what your schedule will entail. You’ll need rehearsal clothing of course, but you will also want to bring exercise clothing, loungewear, and possibly an opening night outfit or dressier ensemble for any galas, fundraisers, or donor events. Make sure you’ve checked your contract for these events, as formalwear and cocktail attire can be expensive or difficult to find last minute. If you’re flying, try to pack items that can easily be paired with other items so that you can bring less and mix and match to create more outfits from fewer pieces.
- Enough underwear and socks—this should be obvious, but it’s amazing how many times I know of colleagues who’ve had to take a midnight trip to Walmart for more underwear or gone to a really sketchy laundromat because they sweated through all the t-shirts they brought in a warm rehearsal space. If doing laundry is an option, bring travel size detergent. You can also bring pods or dissolvable sheets, which have less mess than a liquid or powder detergent and can be stored and transported easily.
- Limiting shoes can reduce space in your suitcase. Plan for your rehearsal shoes, a good pair of sneakers for exploring the new place you’re in or for exercise or outdoor fun, one pair of dress shoes, and some flip flops—you may be housed in a hotel with a pool, or be lucky enough to be singing somewhere with a beach!
- Bring a bathrobe. It’s helpful to prevent awkward shared housing moments, especially pre-coffee. It’s also nice to have a robe backstage for your dressing room.
- Even if you’re not near a beach or pool, my mother told me to always pack a swimsuit “just in case.” It’s been decades that I’ve done this, and while I have sometimes not used my swimsuit, I’ve never wished I had one when there was an opportunity to swim.
- Bring a seasonally appropriate hat. You may want to shade yourself from the sun or keep warm. You may also want to cover your post-wig hair leaving the dress rehearsal or a performance.
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Non clothing essentials:
- A smaller container of dish detergent is inexpensive, but I keep one in my car emergency kit. It’s more for shorter gigs that I drive to so that I don’t repeatedly buy dish detergent and leave behind small containers everywhere I go.
- Toiletries! Make sure you have enough of your go-to shampoo, skin care products, and your toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. It’s surprising how many people need to pick up even products they use on a daily basis because they forgot. If you’re flying and not checking a bag, fill small containers and label them clearly so you aren’t putting your foot cream under your eyes! Don’t forget your makeup, for stage and streetwear. I seldom wear makeup in rehearsals since I tend to sweat it off. I keep all of these items in a zippered container that opens up and can be hung on a hook or towel bar with a little hanger. This way, I always have “travel versions” of the things I use daily packed and ready to go for the next trip.
- Travel coffee cup—this is nice to have both for the travel itself, and so that you can take your prepared cup o’ Joe to rehearsals. As a tea drinker, I bring a travel kettle and my preferred Irish breakfast tea to every gig, as it’s easy to find good coffee anywhere, but more of a challenge to find a good cup of tea.
- A notebook! Whether it’s your personal journal, a list-making notebook, or your practice journal where you also jot down your notes from the director or maestro.
- Plastic baggies of various sizes or a reusable food container. These are helpful for minimizing food waste. I try my best to maintain my every day approach to eating so my gastrointestinal system remains…well, regular. This is harder to do while traveling, so plan ahead for how often you’ll eat out, and try to maintain your normal eating routine. Planning your meals and eating out less is also good for your wallet! You’ll still want to enjoy the cuisine of your destination, and experience the restaurants, so mark those “want to go” places in your map app and be sure to plan for leftovers from the meals you order. It’s also worthwhile to bring a reusable grocery bag or two—this way you aren’t buying new ones at a grocery store that you’ll throw away when you leave. Bring your favorite canvas bag from home.
- Medicines—in addition to my prescription medications I take daily, I bring Advil or Tylenol, Tiger balm and KT-Tape for aches, Compeed for blisters, bandaids, eyedrops, Midol/Pamprin, and an array of allergy medications. I keep all pills in a travel pill case, with more than enough for the time I’ll be there. I also bring my personal steamer.
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- Down time activities. I’m a big reader, and always pack books, whether for planes or trains or for reading before bedtime (or, if it’s really good, at breakfast and every break). I also bring my embroidery or watercolor set—something that’s calming and helps you to relax outside of rehearsal. I know some people who bring their gaming consoles, knitting, or other hobby supplies that are easy to travel with. While you’ll want to enjoy social time with your colleagues, bringing comfort hobbies can ground you when you’re far away from home.
- A teddy bear or blankie. Yes, I travel with the teddy bear I’ve had since I was a child. And a soft blanket that reminds me of home. Even when you’re doing your dream work or you’re visiting an exciting place, I like to have a little bit of home to keep homesickness at bay, and remind myself that this gig, like all things, is temporary. It’s especially helpful if you have a bad rehearsal—you may not be able to hug your loved ones at home, but you can cuddle your teddy bear and hear their voice on the phone.
- For longer gigs or for travel abroad or to somewhere exciting, bring a folding zip up bag to pack any gifts or mementos you bought as a reminder of your trip. Be sure to budget carefully for these items as part of your plan. Whenever I’ve performed or studied abroad, I did this, and checked a bag home with all the treats I brought for everyone. Plan ahead for a tag (inside and outside the bag!) for any checked items, especially gifts that may have been more expensive.
Before you head out for this exciting time of performance and travel, take photos of everything in your bag, or take photos of all you brought before you pack it. This is helpful if your luggage is lost or stolen, and you can keep track of everything you have with you, and, more importantly, have a record of what you took so that the next time, you pack more efficiently. Bon voyage and toi toi toi!
