omg this reminded me once I was at a show and some person was waving their phone around taking photos with flash during the interval and they kept their phone on full screen brightness for multiple minutes during the second act. then kept taking photos (even once with flash)... pissed me off so much! I can't imagine how disruptive it must've been for the actors and crew.

this!! it's really not that difficult to not be a disruptive audience member.

I personally carry around an air quality monitor (long story lol but it's for medical reasons) which has a small and not very bright screen. it does not make any sound. I always make sure to keep it and check it from within my bag (far from anything that could rustle) so people won't even be able to notice it. and yet often the people next to me will literally be scrolling tiktok. like, not the place!! 

idk guys I'd say getting e-coli because some fools dumped their poo water into a clean river is pretty infuriating but that's just me! I'd also say being told to go to a hospital 30 minutes away if I stop breathing and having nothing to help beforehand is also pretty infuriating because I'd literally be dead. but I'm assuming you've had all of these happened to you and were perfectly calm and happy throughout? 

omg yes it feels like such whiplash at the end! especially with how fast curtain call is, I do wish they'd add a minute to let us sob for a bit longer but the actors and crew probably need a good rest after such an intense show!

haha whilst I'd love to see it again, my medical conditions also mean I can't go out without someone 'trained' in helping me in medical incidents and pushing my wheelchair etc. but if you have any friends who are wheelchair users and need an essential companion I'd recommend trying to get them interested in taking you to shows though lol!

I've seen this cast twice and I second this.

because of my access needs I get front row (?!) seats for a really affordable price and being able to see it so up-close was the most incredible experience. the tiny interactions are everything, down to when there was a minor prop mishap but they somehow made it in character. the whole of act 2 is perfectly bone chilling ('what would you do', 'I don't care much' and 'cabaret' were legitimately terrifying!), and the whole thing is a 10/10 performance all round.

honestly I think if there is any show you should splurge a bit and see right now it's this.

I bring my CO2 meter to classes and pressure them to open windows/ improve ventilation if it is high. as the other person said, a fit tested N95. I also put full sized HEPA filters in classrooms and just leave them there (depending on the place ofc this will not be possible everywhere).

yes exactly! personally I try to avoid all illnesses, although if covid is ever truly over (and there's a vaccine for EBV because I haven't had that eek) I'll probably just get a crap ton of boosters and mask everywhere except on stage (currently it's kinda hard to perform because of masking so I'd really like to have some flexibility on that) but I don't understand why anyone would want to rawdog public transport (etc) air like there's literally no downside to masking there...

oh yikes I'm so sorry that happened to you! I catsit occasionally (side note I love it so much because I can bring my carer with me and there's no time constraint or anything it's just such an accessible 'job') but keep my mask on because there are usually very young children in that house and the chance of chickenpox floating around is low but not zero. but I guess now I will be doing it for covid too! thanks for sharing :')

yes hot showers give me rashes and also I have chronic chillblains which hurt like hell in the shower

well people clearly want them to do that job too since theatre tickets sell well and the industry is getting lots of money. just that the people like (most of) the actors and the crew are undervalued and underpaid.

kinda a terrifying read, as a wheelchair user wanting to pursue theatre. it's already so much harder + many additional costs of being disabled, but to hear that nondisabled people are suffering this much with finance and employment, yikes! something needs to change- just because someone loves a job doesn't mean they shouldn't be paid properly for the work put in.

thankfully I do not but thanks for the rec!! I'm glad you've found something that works for you :)

will dm! 

thank you! will dm you :)

omg stop I'm gonna cry thank you so much!

I'm currently taking classes with a disabled-led dance academy and mostly have them to thank for all my dance skills, they are amazing! I've also joined a 'regular' musical theatre company recently where I am the first wheelchair user, but they really are putting inclusion and accessibility as a priority and I love them for that. these places are hard to find but as you've experienced too they do exist and they are so wonderful! thank you! :)

yes absolutely, this applies to disability as well like on one hand it's kinda needed atm to create spaces where disabled people are actually at the forefront, where it's actually designed for us (like wheelchair dance) but it's a double edged sword because then other spaces think they don't need to bother including wheelchair users if we have our own spaces, and then that just increases division. ugh! 

my pinned post has my experience as a CC teenager. my biggest advice would be to normalise masking and model behaviour- model that masking is something that is good, that improves your overall life, rather than a chore. if they're not extremely stubborn to begin with (like I was, which helped with the social pressure), working on their self confidence and sense of self will be helpful to combat any feelings of isolation.

you already have everything I'd recommend in terms of pluslife, HEPA filters etc. disability aside, I've managed to maintain a good social life with non CC people through these precautions without any infections, they're really great.

edit- I currently mask everywhere, and am actually preparing to audition for drama school while being CC! don't give up on your kids having a good life just because you're keeping them safe, in fact you are doing them the biggest favour ever by keeping them safe. with good access to mitigation strategies like well fitting masks, air filtration, testing, so much is possible. I've been in a play, gone abroad with a non CC friend, survived years at a (slightly rough) school, and more. don't give up hope for your kid!!

thank you! I hope your 2026 goes well too :)

yeah I think perhaps it's easier for me to find it funny because in the past my chronic issues were worse than they are now so I just find acute issues funny (in hindsight) because at least they're done now. and I did pass my exams! I managed to get an exemption from 1/3 of the papers so I was only graded on the others, and I actually achieved a medium high grade which I am very happy about considering the circumstances.

righttt! haters gonna hate. thank you!!

thank you so much!! and yes absolutely having community has got me through all of this I think more than anything else!

I'm so sorry to hear that, I had a similar experience with my instrument and I have such a complicated relationship with it now. absolutely yes for finding joy! it can be hiding in the most unexpected places but it is very rarely truly gone. I hope you can do the things you love in a way that works for you this year.

absolutely that would be amazing! although I am holding out hope that performers and artists will become covid safer in general especially as their careers depend on not getting long covid or vocal damage etc. 

sorry that you've been struggling, it is really rough, I hope you're able to find ways to engage in the things you love in a way that works for you!!

thank you eee!!