Modified

Before my time at Sight & Sound, I never realized intensely physical theatre can be. Actors are like athletes. Running, jumping, twisting, turning, climbing up sets, sliding down railings…there’s a lot that we’re asking our bodies to do, and we’re asking it over and over and over again. It’s so much fun, but there’s also potential to get hurt. Much more than I realized before coming here.

Safety is always the upmost importance at Sight & Sound and they do an excellent job to ensure that the odds of injuries are incredibly low. They make sure our costumes fit well. They try to provide shoes that are comfortable and have the support we need. But that doesn't mean that everything can always be prevented. Even simply doing the dances and walking back and forth across that hard, concrete stage can cause flare ups for ankles, knees, and hips.

It’s something I never thought about before working in a professional theatre. What do you do if someone is hurt?

That’s another area in which stage management is responsible. They’re absolutely wonderful about things like this. They truly listen. They don’t blow you off or disbelieve you when you say you’re in pain. I’ve heard them say many times: “The most important thing is that you’re healthy.” But they also have a job to do and a show to keep running. So they keep conversations open on both sides. They want to do everything they can to get you what you need to heal, and also to help you back into the show as soon as possible.

When someone is “modified” it means that they are unable to perform their full track because of injury. Rather than being completely out of the show, the stage managers are able to adjust their track so that they don’t have to do things that aggravate their injury. If someone needs complete time off, management will give it if necessary. But a modified track is the preferred way that employees are expected to heal from an injury.

Sometimes adjustments have to be made between or even during shows. All of the text in color are things that were added throughout the day, after our initial cast meeting. This is a cover sheet from several weeks ago. 

There have actually been several people on modified tracks the past few months. Some of the injuries were show related and others weren’t. But sprained ankles and sore shoulders and aching backs can make the life of an actor quite complicated. That’s when decisions have to be made, because being out of the show isn’t a small thing. It means that everything you can’t do has to be covered by someone else.

Lately though, the cover sheet has been pretty short! People are getting better and are able to be in their full tracks. 

However, I’ve actually spent the last couple of weeks “modified” because of some hip pain I’ve been experiencing. I’ve always struggled with this type of pain. I think it’s simply inflammation that was set off by an injury I had a couple of years ago. But recently it has flared up and I was told I needed to get some rest. I didn’t want to. I hate not being able to participate in the show, and also our dance and movement based classes. After exploring several options, I finally realized I needed to ask for some time off.

Like I said, Stage Management was incredibly understanding. I took a full week off of shows, and then spent last week on my modified track. That mostly just means I didn't do the dance numbers in Jonah. I also simply watched our dance classes instead of participating.

And after this time I’ve realized something. I don’t like being modified. I’d rather be all in or all out, but mostly all in! Not being in the show or in classes makes it feel like I'm not where I'm supposed to be. I’m really looking forward to getting back into my full track this week. 

A person who is really important for all of this modification stuff is Shirley, Sight & Sound’s contracted physical therapist. If someone requests for time off due to injury or modification, Stage Management usually goes to her to get her opinion and decide how best to proceed.

Shirley is awesome. I’ve gotten to know her pretty well throughout the year with how many times I’ve made appointments. The intense schedule of the Conservatory can bring up all sorts of aches and pains, and Shirley is fantastic at helping us through it. She has a great sense of humor and knows how to make you laugh. Plus, she always makes sure to ask me about my boyfriend, and that's a topic I don't ever mind conversing about. :) Anyone who has worked with her really likes her.

Shirley usually comes in three days a week and works in the PT room. It's right off the cast meeting room, and people often grab knick-knacks and equipment from Shirley’s stash to warm up during cast meeting. I’ve also found it to be a quiet place to grab a quick nap if I have short break. When someone is hurting, they can make an appointment with her as part of their employee benefits. She’ll see people as many times as necessary to get them on their feet again.

Before sending you off, she’ll often get you all settled with some “kineso tape”. It’s sort of the same concept as wrapping an injury. The tape provides support but doesn’t inhibit movement. Shirley has her little book of taping “designs” that depend upon the injury. I’ve become quite adept at the design for shin splints, since that’s something else I’ve been dealing with during my time here. 

So yeah! That's how it works! They take good care of us at Sight & Sound. And on a much lighter note, modification is also kind of a running joke: someone hurts themselves in a small way, like bumping their head or stubbing their toe. After an exclamation of pain, they cry out “Modified! Modified!” to the laughter of their coworkers.

The risks of working in professional theatre are outweighed by the consideration that is given by the management and other employees. I always feel very comfortable knowing that everyone is looking out for each other's safety. That doesn't mean that no one ever gets hurt. And yet, knowing that I can ask for help and have open conversations with the management is incredibly reassuring.

If you would like to keep us in your prayers, please pray for safety and healing for the cast as a whole. And particularly for us as students. We don't have a whole lot of time to rest if something isn't working right. But I know that God has a plan for every little thing that happens, even an aching hip or sore shins. 

Onward and upward! And hopefully, no more modifications. :)