Creative Juice Group's Blog

THE IMPORTANCE OF A GREEN ROOM

Many times I am asked this question… “Do you really need a green room?” Well, the answer is YES, I do need a green room, and I am not the only one, your band needs a green room, your photographer and videographer should have a green room and your staff should also have a green room.

As described by Wikpedia here is the definition of : A green room is a space in a theater, a studio, or a similar venue, for the accommodation of performers or speakers not yet required on stage. It functions as a waiting room, or as a touch-up lounge so that a performer need not return to wardrobe or to the dressing room, while remaining immediately available for a call to the stage. The origin of the term is often attributed to such an area historically being painted green, yet a modern “green room” often has no green.

I must interject that in Special Events a green room most often serves as a dressing room AND a green room. Access to a green room is imperative for performers at events. This space provides a place to dress, keep belonging, take breaks, correct wardrobe malfunctions, and warm up. Green rooms should be clean, spacious enough for changing all those required to share the room, be in close proximity to the vent space and restrooms, have places to hang wardrobe bags, have mirrors, be temperature controlled, should have cold bottled water and snacks, and have ample ceiling height to accommodate costumes. Keep in mind that a performer may take a fifteen minute break each hour; therefore f the green room is a five minute walk from the event then that break will be 25 minutes instead of 15. Green rooms are not closets, storage rooms, public rest rooms or loading docks. Imagine ten performers changing in your venue lobby rest room and guests arriving early – ugh, not a good thing. You want to keep your performers a secret until the appropriate time, you also will demystify their allure if guests can see them changing.

Make sure that when you book your talent you really communicate with them about their green room needs.

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