Revenues from a Boston company were needed to sustain more growth, and all growth supported Blue Man Group's autonomy. To open in Boston in 1995, they had to let someone else be Blue. Now we had to put our money where our mouths were. New Blue Men couldn't be trained unless the character's philosophy was articulated. The orientation for Blue Man boot camp begins with 30 hours of videotape on which the trio deconstruct Blue Man drumming, acting and attitude.
Recruits spend hours practicing their skills, being coached and critiqued.
Each prospective Blue Man must trail the show's crew members, to understand the challenges of their jobs. After six months of training, a prospective Blue Man rotates into one of the shows. Now three full-time casting experts search for potential Blue Men on college campuses, at drummers' trade shows and theater festivals. Some accomplished percussionists haven't been able to do Blue Man drumming, which has a visual as well as an aural component. Not all actors can master drumming, or catching food in their mouths.