Every theater person knows the feelings of excitement and terror, the ups and downs, and the highs and lows that ensue during the crazy roller coaster ride of tech week. You’re stressed, you’re worn out, you’re probably constantly on the verge of a panic attack, but hey -- that’s theater, and you love it, so it’s totally OK.

1. You get sick.

No matter how much you try to will that cold away, it always comes racing toward you, full-speed ahead, right in time for tech week. And it probably will spread to most of the rest of the cast as well. Awesome.

2. As a result of this, tea becomes your BFF.

Keep on chugging that throat coat with lemon and honey like there’s no tomorrow!

3. The feeling when you finally get that one scene right.

You just couldn’t seem to get that one line, that one transition, or in my case in my most recent show, that one scene where you have to build a tent out of bamboo sticks with one arm in 30 seconds -- until just a few nights before opening, but when it finally happens, the heavens open up and the angels sing and it is the most wonderful feeling in the world! Success!

4. The feeling you get when someone brings food.

I take back my previous statement. This is the truemoment when the angels sing.

5. (Says one word of line.) "OK, hold please!"

Because that's just how tech works...very slowly...and often, quite painfully.

6. You are exhausted.

Laughing out loud at the thought of getting your full eight hours of beauty sleep in because it’s not gonna happen. You are probably walking around like a zombie, falling asleep in classes and pumping caffeine through your bloodstream. These rehearsals are no joke, kids.

7. You haven't seen your friends in ages.

You can just kiss your social life goodbye. Because you’re running around like a crazy person, it’s hard to make time to see your friends, and when you do it’s for a rushed meal or a quick hello as you dash out the door to get to rehearsal.

8. Other priorities fall by the wayside.

The show is everything. The show is life. There is no room for anything else. Want an 8 a.m. class? Um, no thank you. Homework? Only if it’s going to be graded. Laundry? Nah, I have one more pair of clean underwear so it can definitely wait.

9. Cast bonding.

Especially during tech week since you spend so much time with them, your cast becomes a wonderful family!

10. Everything comes together.

Miracles happen during tech week, and by the end, the show is finally complete! Even though tech week probably made you lose your mind just a little bit, it was all absolutely worth it. You are now ready to put the show that you worked so hard on up on its feet! Hooray!