Creature Comforts on the Road

Edit – May 2022 – I’ve added a kitchen-specific updated blog post.

Since returning to freelancing three years ago, I’ve primarily worked out of town. Over time, I’ve collected a variety of standard things I take with me, to help my place feel more “home-y.” Some are things that were suggested to me by other theatre friends, others are things I’ve come to like on my own. I thought I’d share a few with you. If I’m only gone two weeks, I take less…mostly. The last two jobs have been ten and seven weeks long, though, and for each job I sort through some “on the road” boxes at home to decide what I might want for a particular gig.

First and foremost, provided housing can be sterile and impersonal…and often physically hard. It’s a lot easier to clean things with wipeable surfaces and less padding, I understand. To help me relax, I pack a light fuzzy blanket, a “Housing Sweet Housing” pillow cover my mother made me, and of course, Eeyore.

I also pack at least one fuzzy fleece (regardless of the time of year) and a pair of slippers. Early on, a friend recommended I get a lightweight bathrobe that could double as a jacket, and I have definitely appreciated it. I also ALWAYS pack a swimsuit, regardless of if I know I’ll use it.

For familiarity, I pack a photo of my husband, along with a card he’s sent me in the past, as well as a small hand-turned wood goblet my father made. I don’t like to sleep with my wedding ring on, so it always goes in this cup on the nightstand, whether I’m home or on the road. I’ll also try to buy a potted plant early in my time there – the more colorful the better. If it dies within a few weeks, oh well – it was likely the same price as cut flowers. If it survives, it can make a nice gift to a local co-worker.

Depending on my kitchen facilties, I have a box of items to sort through before leaving home. When I work an Equity gig, we are guaranteed to have (exactly) 4 plates, a colander, salt and and pepper, and a few other basics. Some items I tend to pack are:

• Vegetable Steamer
• Vegetable Peeler
• This OXO 3-Blade Spiralizer – very portable and makes eating vegetables fun
• Waiter’s Corkscrew and Wine Stopper
• Wine Aerator (can make the lowest budget wines taste so much better!)
• This colorful cutting board – my ASM and I spotted them this summer and knew we had to add to our collections

• Beer and/or Can Koozy
• Oven Mitt(s)
• Sharp Knife
• Tupperware or similar Glassware with a cover; I also went in with an actress on a set of three glass bowls with lids several years ago – the one I received often travels with me, and I’ve used the lid as a small microwaveable plate as well
• If it’s not an Equity gig (opera or ballet, for instance), I may pack a travel picnic case I have with service for four
• This trip I’m trying a new idea, using a Dollar Tree pill container for my spices.

• If I drive, I’ve been known to bring a Crockpot as well as an Ice Cream Maker…especially for summer stock
• Cleaning Items – I try to pack small/travel size versions of:
  • Dish Soap
  • Clorox Wipes
  • Bottle Brush
  • Laundry Detergent Pods (much easier to pack than liquid, and I don’t usually need an entire new bag each gig)
  • A handful of trashbags on the chance they’re not provided

Other items to help my stay include:

• Hangars (there are never enough…also a much-appreciated suggestion from a friend)
• A craft project or two – my current ones lately vary between a handful of jewelry making supplies, colored pencils, and my knife and mat for Scherenschnitte; I know others who take knitting or crocheting
• Multiple phone charging cables – long ones especially for housing when the outlets are often not handy
• Multiplug outlet strip
• Roku Express+ – the “plus” can work with old TVs as well as HDMI; as for Channels, in addition to Netflix, I pay for CBS All Access, can access extra content through my home account’s cable login, and I love that I can catch my favorite Denver newscaster on Next with Kyle Clark including via live feed when the timing works out. Unfortunately, I did come across one hotel that had removed HDMI plug in options, so it doesn’t always work.
• Target’s Up & Up TSA Compliant Liquids Bag – I actually combined the bottles from two sets, and in addition to normal items, one has my spray OxiClean for laundry; I also packed two each of shampoo and mouthwash – three weeks in (of seven) I think I’m going to be just fine on the amount I packed

• Foldable/Pop-Up Laundry Basket and Lingerie Bags
• Reusable shopping bags
• Booklight – whether it’s for housing or to read my script/score, I travel with a light source – usually one of the following:
  • Littlite Gooseneck (dimmable, with Base) for calling a show, which can double as bedside light
  • Mighty Bright is my go-to brand for battery operated book lights, with two brightness settings (either “bug lights” or the orchestra version for wide pages)
• My various Tile fobs/devices – I rely on them in every day life, but especially when I don’t have a set place to lay down my keys when on the road; I can also often check on my luggage during layovers, as the Bluetooth has worked from cargo on many occasions
• Broncos gear if it’s football season (I’m currently in Patriots territory, so I’m wary); Eeyore has his own set, and my crafty mother also made me a banner when I was out of town during the 2015 Super Bowl, which we won…

I rely on theatres to supply needed stage management supplies, but there are select items that I like to have my own version along (and if they’ll restock, even better). I received this fantastic travel SM Kit from my assistant stage manager Maggie this summer, and I have a variety of things in it for my own use. I’m still playing around with what stores where, but I adore having just the right amount of things in an easy to pack container.

In addition to the matching cutting boards mentioned previously, Maggie and I also both have:

• Swingline High-Capacity Three-Hole Punch – after two different gigs where I eliminated the punch due to last-minute weight issues, and swore “never again,” this will now ALWAYS travel with me
• Wiztem Rosemary Book Stand (Thanks, Maggie, for already having researched the best options for max size versus weight!)
• Our own Headsets; I have both the Telex PH-88 and the Clearcom CC-27 – I wish the latter was made for right ears, as well as for those of us with smaller heads
• We also both have travel Steamers for clothing wrinkles; she brings hers along much more than I do

If I drive, I bring my guitar. If I’m out of town, I’ve often found someone has one I can borrow. Most of my music is on my computer, and I may pack a tuner and capo if I think a local one will happen. Like this trip!

I also highly recommend the Roadside America website and app for finding fun places as you journey. Eeyore gets many of his fun photos from locations we discover through it.

I think I’ll save specific stage management items for a separate future blog post. Meanwhile, what do you like to take with you when out of town?