Some call it tech week, some call it hell week, some just shake their heads and refuse to acknowledge that it’s always fast approaching. Whatever you lovingly refer to the week before opening night as, you know that this is when a theatrical production gets serious. Hopefully you’re past worrying about memorization and character development and you’re using this week to piece the other aspects of the show together. But if you still feel vastly unprepared, don’t worry — we’ve all been there. In fact, tech week is a great time to bond with your fellow cast mates and techies, because, hey, at least you’re suffering together. Here are ten common struggles you might find yourself facing when tech week rolls around.
1. Starting and stopping and starting and stopping
Everyone knows that cue-to-cue is a rehearsal for the techies, not the actors. And that’s fine! If we didn’t have techies, we wouldn’t have a show. But your director calling “hold” every three minutes tends to pull you out of your acting mojo. Since you probably (hopefully!) don’t have your phone with you on stage, these pauses in work are the perfect time to stare out into that dark auditorium and contemplate why you chose theatre as your profession or hobby.
2. Figuring out costume changes
You’ve been running through the show for a while now. You know when and where your costume changes happen, but actually accomplishing them is different story. When I was in The Little Mermaid last summer, I had to change from a trumpet fish costume to a maid costume in the duration of a sixteen-measure applause segue. That was a party.
Times like these are when having a buddy to help you with your costume change really comes in handy. Or, if you’re lucky, you have an awesome costume crew who is more than willing to help, too. Whatever the case, plan the change in advance and with a few nights of practice, you’ll be golden.
3. Figuring out music cues
Sitzprobe? Is that even a word? Fun fact: sometimes the instruments playing in your show’s orchestra will be different than the Broadway recording’s orchestra, especially if you’re doing a production at your high school or a smaller theatre. Occasionally, even the score itself will differ from the professional tracks. That means that every so often you’ll hear a cue very differently than what you’re used to hearing on the soundtrack.
The trick is to listen to the melody, not the instrument itself. Sitzprobes exist to help you adjust to changes like this. After all, having a full orchestra is really different from having just piano accompaniment.
Personally, I always find getting a full orchestra the hardest change to adjust to during tech week. (That may, of course, be because I’m a big nerd going into Music Education.) If this sounds like you, watch the conductor! And even if that doesn’t sound like you, watch the conductor!
4. Getting all the makeup off of your face
This past year a friend of mine played Fiona in Shrek The Musical. She was an amazing Fiona, but when she came to school after weekend performances, she kind of looked like she had jaundice thanks to the green makeup they were using for her ogre features.
Everybody has been there at some point. Somehow, no matter how hard you try, no number of makeup wipes will get all of that stage makeup off your face. And don’t even try to take it all off before the cast trip to Applebee’s. Everyone goes out after shows in full-face makeup. We all suffer the weird looks together.
5. Finding time to eat
How many times can you eat peanut butter and jelly in a week? Infinite. The answer is infinite. You know that diet you’re on? Yes, you need to fit into that one costume with the waistband that’s just a little too tight, but you also need to eat. Don’t feel bad about spending more money on food than usual during tech week. If buying fast food is the only way to make sure you eat, then you need to buy it. Stage lights make for a great pass-out-if-you’re-too-hungry atmosphere, and you want to avoid that at all costs. Eat.
6. Finding time to shower
Deodorant is your friend. Hold on, let me say that again for the sake of the people who have to clean up the guys' dressing room: deodorant is your friend. If you really can’t find the time to shower, make sure you at least wear deodorant. But here’s an important pro-tip: try to stay away from heavy perfumes or colognes before performances. It’s a courtesy to others. Some people get really bad headaches from heavy smells, and you’re not doing them any favors in your cramped dressing rooms and backstage areas stinking of cool waterlily with a touch of citrus. Save that for the cast party!
7. Finding time to sleep
You know how I mentioned that your director will constantly be calling “hold” during tech week? I use that time to nap. I sit down wherever I am on stage and close my eyes and take a cat nap. Not even kidding.
In all seriousness, try to get some sleep. If you’re doing a show while in school, try to talk to your more sympathetic teachers about getting homework in advance before tech week starts, or, only if you have to, talk about deadline extensions. Once all your work is done, go to sleep. Don’t do the thing where you lie in bed scrolling through snapchat stories and you’re so tired you drop your phone on your face. Sleep.
8. Every Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter post is for publicity
Your show’s business coordinator is telling you to spread news about the show. Every post you see on Facebook is about the show, which your friends are also in. Do you add to that mess? Yes. Always yes. Annoy your friends who aren’t in the show with publicity posts until they buy tickets. It’s a fool-proof marketing method.
9. Pre-performance anxiety
Put points 1-8 together to create point 9: pre-performance anxiety. You know that moment opening night where you’re standing backstage about to go on for the opening number, and you peek just around the sight-lines to look at the audience, and your heart skips a beat? That’s what I’m talking about.
Here’s my trick: pre-show energy warmups are great, but sometimes they get you too hype. Take a second before the show to relax. Focus on how you’re going to turn your anxiety and hype into a controlled energy. It’s way easier to put your energy into your onstage persona when you're focused on the task at hand.
10. Post-show depression
PSD varies in heartbreak level from person to person. Some people cry every time a show closes, others barely bat an eye. If PSD has got you down, always remember that there’s more to come. The experience you’ve gained from this show will only make your next show even better.
This is where I like to employ a lovely quote by Dr. Seuss: Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. So wipe away your tears, and get ready for your next audition!
