Author Topic: Pregnant Actress  (Read 4899 times)

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Thecollegemanager

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Pregnant Actress
« on: Feb 06, 2016, 01:37 pm »
I am currently working on a show in the community and recently one of my actresses told the Director and I that she just found out she was 3 weeks pregnant. Once we reach tech/performances she will be at 10 weeks.

Are there any precautions I should have in place or are there any special rules I should think about with this actress. We have a very physical show that is movement based. She would like to stay in the show but I would like to be rather safe than sorry while she is working on and performing this show.

megf

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Re: Pregnant Actress
« Reply #1 on: Feb 06, 2016, 02:23 pm »
Ask her. She is the expert on what she needs, how she needs it and when she needs it.

Your desire to be cautious is smart, and it's wise to seek information sooner than later. But remember, she's an adult (I assume), and is ultimately responsible for her own safety and needs -- and she is also responsible for communicating those needs. While your concern for her safety clearly comes from a place of honesty and respect, I strongly urge you not to treat her like an invalid, or as if she doesn't know her own limits and needs.

leastlikely

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Re: Pregnant Actress
« Reply #2 on: Feb 06, 2016, 02:59 pm »
Everything Meg said is true, for sure. It's her call. She's the one living in her body and you need to trust her to know what she can and can't do.

Let her tell people herself! The rest of the company doesn't need to know unless she chooses for them to know. There are good reasons why many people choose to not announce pregnancy until after the first trimester. I can think of only two people who you should suggest she tell: the ASM (because they will be on deck with her during performances) and the costume designer. Again, it's not generally for you to tell. Offer to tell the ASM/designer if she wants, but she's probably going to choose to do it herself. Feel free to accompany her on that discussion if she wants moral support, but it's her news to share.

If she's 10 weeks along at opening, she probably won't be showing her pregnancy yet... but if you've got a 4 week run, she might have a little a bump by the end of it. The costume designer can give her clothes with a little room for her body to grow, or a double in a larger size.

It's not likely that she'll have any sort of medical emergency (of course we don't want that to happen with anyone!) but if something comes up, if she passes out or something, it would be helpful if you can tell medical providers/EMTs that she is pregnant.

If she has morning sickness, it would be nice of you to keep small trashcans with extra liners on either side of backstage, in the green room, etc. If she gets sick, the bag can be tied off and thrown out, and just put a new liner in the can.

BayAreaSM

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Re: Pregnant Actress
« Reply #3 on: Feb 08, 2016, 07:18 pm »
As others have said, she's the best judge of her own body. Most women, if they are physically active prior to pregnancy, can endure the same level of activity during pregnancy (speaking as a woman who has been pregnant).

Heck, I have a friend who is a fight instructor in broadsword and hand to hand combat and was teaching her classes, full out, at 38 weeks. If she can handle it now, she will be the best person to judge how she can handle it later. I've also had ballet dancers performing up to 5 months pregnant, which is a lot more physical than most acting gigs.

But the trash can tip is a good one, and just check in to see if she needs you to stash crackers or water backstage for her, in case she needs a little tummy help.

At this stage in pregnancy, she's not going to be running to the bathroom every 15 minutes nor will she really be showing until a little after 3 months. However, it would be best to avoid someone hitting her in the abdomen or making her lay on her back for extended periods of time. But she's going to know that based on discussions with her doctor and can have that private discussion with the director (if blocking needs to be altered).


 

riotous