BOOMTOWN!
- Serrell Tafari
- Jan 29
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Boomtown was a crazy, amazing, weird, slightly gross and really worthwhile experience - one I definitely want to do again. The head of Narrative even said to email her about returning which I definitely did. It was the first time I went to a festival, first time camping, first time doing any of this sort of thing, and technically this could count as my first job. Everything was completely new, and at the beginning I didn’t really know what to expect which was exciting yet nerve-racking, some of the team probably felt the same. But in those few days we gained such an understanding about festival work culture, how to navigate through the festival, and the little behind the scenes operations behind it.
LINK TO OUR PADLET SHOWING THE PROCESS BEHIND THE CRYPTIC COMB :
My contributions stretched across many areas: I helped to build and develop the escape room - setting it up, designing, transporting, assembling, drilling , painting, taking it down. Taking some initiatives, contributing from stage development, costume design, production, illustration, character development. Most of the leaflets and the hair catalogue were illustrated by myself which I'm very proud of considering the hassle of art block and multiple malfunctions, lots of trial and error. But I had group members to help by posing for me and giving advice. Making hundreds of leaflets with a broken guillotine was a challenge, especially since l decided to use thicker card for better quality otherwise they would have all flew and crumbled at Boomtown.
Catalogue illustrations I designed in February.
Leaflets I designed before Boomtown in July.
Playing the character of Rose Vera turned out to be a heavier role than expected - since she’s the main person guiding players through the game, while also staying in character - being aware - looking glam - maintaining comedic timing - ensuring visitors enjoy themselves and helping things go smoothly. Before the first shift I struggled to remember all of my lines and was pissin myself nervous, but after the first few visitors me and the others began fully embracing our characters: improvising, and bouncing off the audience’s energy. Rose was confident, fun, flirty, a bit loud and bonkers, so bougie and complimented everybody. Nerves faded once I got into the flow of performance and acting went from 0% to 80% improv. Some visitors were more enthusiastic than others, but each experience felt unique. Performing in front of such a variety of people allowed me to adapt. I continuously found creative ways to guide players: learned to make use of whatever I had, whether props, heat, or the energy of the room, and audiences responded well to the silliness and improvisation:
Examples:
slipping clues naturally into character banter. Using the boiling weather to hint if players were "warm or cold" in the room, and to compliment them by fanning each other. Little things, like pretending the ticking of my fan was a suspense device when players were close to finishing. Joking about the props which broke or malfunctioned - my fan, the drawers or the frame against the sculpture that always fell!
Since we couldn’t find a prop puppy, Iz being a crazy creative genius invented the f-d narrative of dead puppies into coats instead of the dead husband for a bit of dark humour which makes so much more sense ( the illustrations ) and it worked really well. I only used it with certain audience members that seemed like they’d like dark humor upon intuition, one guy laughed to the floor. I appreciated how the ‘Babs’ Hair-sweeps also reassured me if any of the audience members seemed ‘ more difficult’ or rowdy like drunk geezers and stuff . Surprisingly they were the funniest to perform for.
When some visitors got a bit touchy l learned to say things like ‘ I'm claustrophobic darling ‘, implementing the warning system in my role light-heartedly.
I method acted following up to the festival, even learned a French song 'Habanera' which weirdly helped me get into character, and so I would sometimes sing it before visitors came in.
I used my own hair since I didn't have a wig which worked. And for the costume I really wanted to find some boobs because its jokes, but luckily I started benching more at the gym so it kinda looked like I had boobs when I was flexing my fan.
Phoebe turned American which somehow worked way better. Without her teaching I wouldn’t have learned to do my whole makeup by myself on the last day.
Perhaps my greatest strength is that I adapt really well to new roles and skills, especially when I'm dedicated to my team and the craft. Working with my friends and seeing their professionalisms shine was one of the man highlights. We collaborated really well, organised/covered each other’s shifts, had Pad Thai and paella breaks, and supported each other through the grind. They too, each grew confident in their own way through their roles. Due to health circumstances with some teammates, I was completely happy to cover the rose vera role a bit longer. After each shift id reward myself with the most delicious brownies ever. It was so much fun when it lasted, but taking apart our barber shop was the saddest part for all of us; all our work and love packed away and done with. Although weeks after leaving boomtown Miss Vera wouldn’t go away. “MORE HAIR!” echoed in my mind all the time I got so sick of her!
Being a part of creative staff at Boomtown gave me a sense of belonging, I managed to exchange a couple LinkedIns but l wish we got to connect with more people. Then again l learned quite a bit about festival logistics like using outside shower pipes instead of waiting in long queues , nice food spots, shuttle buses, toilet breaks, and figuring out this massive maze of a festival. I would speak with performers in my off hours who taught me things and gave words of kindness, it was really special; now I got tips on learning how to fire-dance! It was unpaid work, but with essentials like food, travel, and entry covered, the trade-off felt worth it. In fact I didnt have to pay for ANYTHING! Bryany was an absolute superwoman and drove four of us with our things, all the way from the festival to our doorsteps in her cute yellow car singalong style.
Overall Boomtown was super cool, exhausting and invaluable. I worked long shifts in the heat, adapted on the spot, learned practical festival survival skills, and grew both as a performer and as a collaborator; I do have some regrets outside of working in Cryptic Comb - missed opportunities to make new friends or see performances like the Speak Easy (I was gutted); and there was so much food I didn’t try!. But I discovered a lot more about myself and It was one of the best and longest weeks of my entire life!
I felt completely safe to be myself, wore clothes I never thought I’d wear outside, danced for hours at night, little to no tech and sun on my skin. l’ll never forget the absolutely lovely and hilarious time l had with my friends and the glamorous visitors that came through our doors. I got home overjoyed and high on life, with my two funky hats, two yummy brownies, and a pouch full of little trinkets, my mom looked at me like I was crazy. Leaving was bittersweet.
PS:) Next time, I’d take everything I’ve learned and apply it with more preparation, confidence, and focus. Regardless if I get another role or not, I’ll remember to pack more power banks than outfits.
MY CAMERA ROLL - STORY
