Jan Di Pietro’s Top Ten Tips For Success In A ‘Quick Change’


It’s important to be focused and organized during a performance of Anything Goes. This is especially important when you’ve gotta exit the stage, change out of a sailor’s uniform and into a 1930’s three-piece suit, and get back on stage all in under 30 seconds. This is called a “quick change”.

Here’s a list of ten tips to navigate this tricky situation if you ever come across it in everyday life. You know, between work and a classy dinner date, or like Superman in a Metropolis phone booth.

1.Think about overdressing. That is, maybe think about whether you can wear pieces of your second outfit underneath your first outfit. When the change needs to happen, simply rip off the top layer of clothing to immediately reveal the new outfit. Kawam!

2.Get someone to help you out. Faster than a speeding bullet!

3. As an addition to “overdressing”, maybe you can put items of the second outfit directly on top of the first outfit. I mean, a pair of boxers and a singlet can be hidden under pretty much anything, so just do the layering thing and get back out there, sailor!

4. Change all buttons to velcro. Kaboom!

5. As you’re sprinting off stage to your designated changing area undo any buttons, belts, loops, velcro, loosen and maybe remove any ties, and even unzip any zips. Superman does this very well. I’m coming, Lois!

6. Try elastic shoelaces that never undo. The shoes just slip on and off. They become slippers. Man of steel!

7. While you’re running you can also remove any hats, sunglasses, or other accessories. Don’t worry about where they land someone else will deal with that. Get out of that phone booth I’ve got a planet to save!

8. Have a laundry basket setup in the area where you’re changing. That way you can piff any unwanted items into it as you magically transform. X-ray vision!

9. Any accessories or props required for the second outfit can be added as you sprint back to stage. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the same actor but he’s not a sailor anymore, he’s a photographer character!

10. Worst-case scenario is you find yourself back on stage in front of the audience and you’ve forgotten to zip up your fly or straighten your tie. In this case, wait until there’s a moment when you’re standing behind a piece of the set, or behind an actor who’s much bigger than you. Then, being careful not to call any attention to yourself, slowly fix the issue. Nobody will be the wiser, I promise.


“Easy, miss. I’ve got you.”

“Thank you, Superman!”


Jan di Pietro



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