30 Days of NYMF Day 22: Three Sides

(Note: this entry is presented as the third part of the four-part series of Three Sides Caroline's Blogs).

One week to go! This time next week I need to be fully packed and ready to head for the Great White Way. Now, those of you who have worked in theatre (if you're anything like me) will know that there are a lot of things a girl needs to have in her dressing room. I personally need: a lot of makeup, face wash, shower gel, a towel, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, perfume, hairbrush, a hair straightener and hairspray. I usually take a suitcase in to the theatre when I land in my dressing room for the first time.  

I think you can understand that I am panicking slightly, realising that I am responsible for taking all of the above, plus three costumes (including motorbike leathers), press info for the publicity packs (20 headshots and resumes), music for a charity benefit we are doing out of town, and normal everyday clothes to wear to have a great time in NY. I think I can safely say I won't be giving Sarah Jessica Parker a run for her money – I simply won't have enough room!

The boys have hired a minibus to get us around in NY and to cart all my cases around. I'm going to be the only girl in a group of about six boys most of the time, so will be taking advantage of every chivalrous opportunity. "But I'm only a girl" will be my most uttered phrase (sorry feminists – but I would like to have my cake and eat it!)

At rehearsal tonight we were talking about some of the references in the show and if they would transfer across the Atlantic. Do the US have an appreciation of Lulu? Do they know what giving someone a "dead leg" involves? (I'm wondering what kind of impression you're getting of the show now? Lulu? Dead leg?) We were trying to think if we have ever heard such things being referenced on "Friends" (the brit's bible of everything American) Any help with these huge issues would be appreciated. Also have no idea what the weather in NY will be. Do I need to be packing my flipflops and shorts? Or bringing some sweaters? The dilemmas a girl faces!

More rehearsals this week – we are stepping up a gear now, the pressure is on! We are getting lots of news from NY every day, from Sharon, one of our producers. The NYMF is underway! They are thinking of using my blog as publicity on Broadwayworld.com, which is one of my favourites. One thing I'm really looking forward to is singing at the Virgin Megastore when we get there. Anyone coming to watch please be aware – we may be slightly jetlagged. That'll be a new experience – performing when my body clock says its midnight. Maybe I can put "can perform with jetlag" as one of the skills on my resume! 

Note to self – pack an alarm clock. 

Caroline Sheen (Carrie) was born and raised in South Wales. She trained at the prestigious Guildford School of Acting and graduated with a first class honors degree. Her West End credits include Jennifer in The Witches of Eastwick, Florinda in Into the Woods, Eponine in Les Misérables, Sandy in Grease, and Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. She has worked at The National Theatre twice in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Once in a Lifetime. She created the role of Gestetna in Toby Davies and Grant Olding's Spittin' Distance at the Stephen Joseph Theatre. She is delighted to be performing in the NYMF. Keep supporting new writing!

Visit www.nymf.org for tickets or more information.

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