Congratulations! You’ve advanced and are on the road with your OAP. Traveling with One Act Play or any traveling show requires careful planning and organization, especially when it comes to packing that big box truck. Properly packing your equipment and supplies can make all the difference in ensuring a successful and stress-free load in and tech.
1. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail
Before you begin packing, create a list of everything you need to pack in the truck. And then start to think about how you want to organize everything in the truck. This will help you avoid damage to your equipment during transit and ensure that everything is easily accessible when you arrive at your host site. I’ve known directors to even draw out the dimensions of their box truck and recreate/practice packing the truck on stage. This can be helpful if you have a particularly new group of students doing OAP. I have also used our traveling company (not alternates/actors/tech) as leaders for packing and unpacking the truck at contest. This gives them an opportunity to lead the group and understand the process of OAP travel.
2. Protect Your Props
Props are often fragile and can easily become damaged during transit. I’ve seen many genius ways to travel props, but my favorite two are clearly labeled tubs and restaurant racks. The tubs can be labeled with what side of the stage they go on, and work for smaller prop shows. If it is a prop heavy competition piece, the restaurant rack is a great way to organize and store at the same time. Industrial saran wrap can be purchased at Sams or Costco. Want something more environmentally friendly? You could try tightly wrapping stretchier fabric for the same effect.
3. Secure Your Lighting Equipment
Lighting equipment can be fragile and expensive, so it’s important to pack it carefully to avoid damage. My top recommendation would be to use road cases (again - amazon link if you had it). If you want more information on ordering road cases, please email us! We can help you source the best options for your lighting and projectors. If you’re on a budget, you can create your own ‘road case’ with foam and larger rolling tubs. Most importantly, use straps or bungee cords to secure the lighting equipment in place.
4. Create a Travel Kit
No matter how carefully you pack your truck, there is always the chance that something will go wrong during transit. To prepare for this, create a travel kit with essential items for last-minute fixes. This should include things like gaff tape, zip ties, extra lamps, extension cords, and basic tools like screwdrivers and pliers. I also always made sure we had hot glue guns, sewing supplies, and bandaids. Your travel kit should be the last thing you load, so it can be the first thing off the truck for any quick fixes.
We are more than happy to give a consult on your traveling lighting and video equipment! Send us an email today, and remember to follow these tips so you can focus on your show and not worry about your equipment in transit. Have fun and break a leg!
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