Whether you're in the cast, crew, or are just best friends with someone in theatre, chances are you're heard most of these phrases.
Someone has called it out from the dressing room while trying on their costume for the first time, during warm ups on stage, or hanging out before rehearsal in the green room – basically any place and time except while waiting for their cue in the wings. Theatre kids are more than friends, you've no doubt discovered; they are family.
They've seen you cry, made you laugh and been there through the toughest times – even if some of it was just acting.
1. "When's the cast list going up?"
Everyone's anxiously waiting on the edge of their seats all week.
2. "Everyone harmonize!"
This one's always followed by either the most beautiful or the most disgusting thing you've ever heard.
3. "Make firecrackers come out of your fingers!"
No further explanation needed.
4. "1. 1 2 1. 1 2 3 2 1. 1..."
The only vocal warm up that tests your skill in math.
5. "Make. A circle. Make. Make. A Circle."
6. "This deserves a P.E. credit."
The first words out of everyone's mouth after an intense opening musical number.
7. Anything relating to Hamilton
I am NOT throwing away my shot! Call me "son" one more time! Werk!
8. "You're swimming in peanut butter. Also, you're being chased by a pack of wildebeests. And you can only speak Pig Latin. GO!"
9. "Will you run lines with me?"
To anyone and everyone – even the terrified freshman painting backdrops and props in the corner.
10. "Where's the mic tape?"
11. "Cast party at my house tonight!"
It's a little scary how accurate SNL's depiction of high school cast parties was. Not identical, but close enough.
12. "Anyone up for a game of ZIP?"
13. "Oh my gosh! You'd be perfect for that role!"
The highest of compliments.
14. *girl doesn't respond* "Oh, she's on vocal rest."
You'll later see her downing buckets of hot water with honey and lemon, constantly sucking on lozenges and generally being in a state of worry and intense panic.
15. "Who washed Washington's white woolen underwear..."
16. "Okay, now you're all 2,000-year-old mud monsters who've just awoken. GO!"
17. "Change!"
One of the funniest improv games I've ever witnessed.
18. "If we did that show, I'd die!"
19. "Seriously, where's the mic tape?"
20. "LINE!"
This one is heard far too often.
21. *giggling like an 8-year-old school girl* "Oh my gosh have they stage kissed yet?"
22. "Guys, let's recreate this one!"
It'll be fun to go back and reminisce about how childish you were two, five or 10 years (or more likely minutes) ago.
23. "Shuler judges are here!"
This is generally followed by a group panic attack and sporadic nervous spasms.
24. "Yes! No. Maybe?"
25. "B-B-B Bedle-a-Badle-a-Bidle-a-Bodle-a-Boo."
26. *People start getting sick on opening night* "Everyone, down an Emergen-C!"
27. "Okay, let's go again. But this time, don't pretend like the bird is still in the sky if it already fell on the ground."
The confusion of how real you should pretend props are.
28. "What's the call time?"
29. "No pickle faces!"
30. "How am I going to dance in this costume?"
Trick question. It is physically impossible, but you'll make it work.
31. "Never. Ever. Touch a prop that isn't yours."
31. "Silent in the wings means SILENT."
32. "Can I borrow that lipstick/deodorant/makeup remover/ *insert any item you forgot here*?"
It can get disgusting, but you've gotta do what you gotta do. The show must go on!
33. "Wait, we're running ALL of Act 1 today!?"
34. "Don't forget to tip, guys."
Heard at every poor restaurant that takes us before a show.
35. "Let's just put one soprano on the high E instead of all three... From the top!"
36. "I found the mic tape, guys!!"
37. "Thank you, places!"
38. "What do you mean, 'No eating in costumes?'"
You'll deny everything. You have no idea how that stain got on your costume. You didn't spill anything on it.
39. "We're so behind on this show – as always.”
40. "WE DID IT!"
Shout out to my theatre family for some brilliant suggestions. I'm so excited for our final year of theatre together. You've made my high school experience better than I could have imagined! I'm always here for you, guys. See you at curtain call! Break a leg!