Exposed to chicken pox, director won't budge?

Question:I was exposed to chicken pox about a week ago - I've never had them nor the vaccination. I told my director right away, but they have decided to wait and see if I actually get them. I have had aches all week and I have begun running a low fever. We open in a few days. I don't know if I should bug my director about it again or just keep waiting it out. We open in a few days and I am wearing down. Any tips from any theater vets? Should I take a night off and hope it gets better? Tough it out? I know we've all been there with long rehearsals and illness.... :) Thanks.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I was exposed to chicken pox about a week ago - I've never had them nor the vaccination. I told my director right away, but they have decided to wait and see if I actually get them. I have had aches all week and I have begun running a low fever. We open in a few days. I don't know if I should bug my director about it again or just keep waiting it out. We open in a few days and I am wearing down. Any tips from any theater vets? Should I take a night off and hope it gets better? Tough it out? I know we've all been there with long rehearsals and illness.... :) Thanks.

I think the Director is nuts, and terribly irresponsible. Clearly, he/she is not concerned about possibly infecting the rest of the cast. It's a shame, because as previously mentioned, adult chicken pox can be dangerous. If the director does not care, I would certainly make sure the rest of the cast (and/or parents if kids are involved) are aware that you are potentially spreading it.

Glad to see you went that route you did and spoke up Frost, and sorry you're feeling bad. You did the right thing, and this person has put you in a difficult position. This director could have handled this when you first spoke up.

I am all for "the show must go on" - I've performed shows on codeine, puking when I got backstage, and laying on the cool tile floor between scenes to bring down a fever. But I would never chance someone's heath and risk spreading what can be an real illness. Some people get *really* sick from chicken pox.

tough it out

The show must go on...
But I'd let the director know how you're feeling. Adult Chicken Pox can wipe you out beyond the strength of your will. Best of luck!

I would say take some time off. without your health they don't really have a show (unless your the lead). You don't want to pass out from exhaustion and bright lights

im not a theater vet, but ive had the chicken pox before. I would highly recommend talking to your doctor first, so they can tell you if it is still possible for you to get the chicken pox a week after exposure. Based on their answer i would then go and inform the director. good luck! =]

When I was 20 I was playing Emily in "Our Town" and got the chicken pox the day before the show opened. I spoke to the director and he spoke to the entire cast and crew and everyone agreed that they were willing to take the risk and I went on with the run of the show. I went to my doctor that day and he gave me a prescription for Zovirax which does not make it any less contagious but does lessen the severity of it for you. I had a 102 fever and my corset painfully cut into my chicken pox blisters on my stomach but luckily ( and surprisingly) not a single person in the cast or working on the show who had never had them before got them. This however is rare. But it is the case that sometimes people get exposed and do not catch them. Did you get coughed on by the person that had them or were you very close to them? Remember the incubation period for chicken pox is 10-21 days. If you were exposed last week chances are you would not be feeling the symptoms yet. Perhaps you have the flu or are having psychosomatic symptoms from worrying. I am not saying that you should risk the health of the rest of the cast but as of now you are worrying about something that does not even necessarily exist. And if it does come into fruition I would handle it like the director of my show did and find out how many people involved in the show have never had chicken pox or the vaccination. Perhaps no one involved would be at risk. There are many variables right now. I would rest easy.

Chicken Pox? Who the Hell gets Chicken Pox anymore? Haven't you people heard of antibiotics?

By all means, infect your fellow castmembers. It will build character. It will build Cast Unity. You will never be forgotten.

Just remember to use the Heavy Pancake makeup onstage.

And don't scratch.