Want to know what it is like to be in a hit theatre production? We catch up with Zoe Coppinger, the Elphaba alternate in WICKED, and find out how she spends her jam-packed weekends. I'm Zoe Coppinger and I am currently the Elphaba alternate in the …
Want to know what it is like to be in a hit theatre production? We catch up with Zoe Coppinger, the Elphaba alternate in WICKED, and find out how she spends her jam-packed weekends.
I'm Zoe Coppinger and I am currently the Elphaba alternate in the blockbuster musical, WICKED, currently playing at Melbourne's Regent Theatre. Family and friends mean the world to me, so when I am in Melbourne (my home city), I try and soak up as much time as I can with them. Whether that be a cute brunch or grabbing a coffee together or just quality time on the couch at home. I like to think of myself as an active person and love the outdoors, always going on walks (with my beautiful 3 dogs), doing Pilates classes, sneaking in saunas when I can. If the weather allows it, I love going to the beach, having a swim or a stand-up paddle board and some of my favourite days are spent water skiing with my family. I'm a sucker for sport, so any chance to watch or get to a game of AFL or netball I will jump on it. I am about to finish my University degree of Early Childhood and Primary teaching which has been such a nice outlet to use my brain again in a completely different way.
Friday PM
Friday nights are the beginning of what we call our 'five show weekend', so most of our time is spent at the theatre for the show. Roughly 3 hours before the show I wait and find out if I will be performing for the night or if I am on standby at the theatre, either way I head on into the Regent Theatre at roughly 6pm to join full company warm up. After the show comes down, we head out to stage door to visit anyone who may want to come and say hi and then head home for an early night to prepare for the weekend ahead.
Saturday AM
Saturday morning is sleep in time! Coffee and a walk is a must in the mornings for me, so I either take this time to catch up with a friend, squeeze my beautiful new little niece or pop in my earphones and call whoever is on my hit list that week. Grab some breaky and head into the theatre to start our double show day. As a standby, if I am not on for my two scheduled shows a week I have to be ready to go at the drop of a hat, which I kind of love that it keeps me on my toes and keeps me on top of my game.
Saturday PM
Double show Saturdays are 2pm and 7.30pm, so dinner break falls around 5pm. I love the double show day dinner breaks because it's the days where all the cast come together in the break and we can all relax together, have a laugh and just talk rubbish! I feel like it is a real bonding time for everyone. I also treat myself on a Saturday break to a yummy crepe in between shows with some of the cast members (I always order Nutella and banana of course).
Zoe Coppinger
Sunday AM
Sunday matinee is one of my favourites of the week because it is a scheduled Elphaba show day for me! On my show days I like to do a pretty set routine to prepare for all things Elphie. I start my day at 8am with of course coffee and some breakfast, I then take my dogs for a one hour walk with, most of the time, my mum. During the walk I begin my warm-ups which are mostly lip trills and then continue warming up by chatting through all things with mum (we could talk under water). Then it's off to the theatre.
I get into the theatre at 11am to begin my full physical and vocal warm up because on show days the Elphaba's don't go to the full company warm up onstage. I then make my way into the dressing room to start the 'greening' process from the hour call which is 12pm. During this time, I love to pop on acoustic tunes and keep the environment calm, upbeat and positive. We get lots of visitors during this time to chat through anything we may need for the show or just to say hi. Then… It's showtime!
Sunday PM
We have two shows on a Sunday, 1pm and 6.30pm, so in the break after the matinee I shower all the green off and have some dinner to refuel in case I am on for the second show. I also head out to see any family or friends who have come to see the show that day. It is always so special performing in your home city and getting to share this moment with all of your loved ones. If I don't happen to be on for the show, I start my cooldown routine. Starting with a full vocal cooldown, some straw work, facial and tongue massaging and then finishing off with a vocal steam and a hot honey tea. My cooldown routine is such a big part of the recovery process after such a demanding vocal show and allows me to bounce back to do it all again. Once the show is finished it's time to head home (with maybe a little stop off or an end of week treat) and enjoy our two days off!
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