Anyone who’s helped create the magic that is student theater knows the highs and lows of the most intense week of the semester: tech week. It’s horrible. It’s magical. And it’s guaranteed that you and your cast mates will bond through your shared misery. Though it may seem masochistic, once the curtain rises on opening night you realize it’s all been worth it, and when it closes after your last performance you’ll be reminiscing about the sadistic run-throughs and horrific costume malfunctions wistfully. Here are the 11 stages of tech week that you’re either dreading or
1. You’ve accepted that the next week will be h*ll
May the odds, and the director's mood, be ever in your favor.
2. You move into your performance space
No, not just for rehearsals, you've changed your address and brought a suitcase. You may be a shell of a human being but at least now you have a stage!
3. You give up custody of your face and body
Hair and makeup now own you, which is a good thing because you've forgotten how to dress yourself.
4. You become nocturnal
It's not like you've seen daylight recently so your sleep schedule is now accordingly whack. you've also found the best places in the script to nap so you don't miss your cues or your z's.
5. You realize there’s no way you’ll be ready by opening
What have you gotten yourself into? How can you expect people to pay money to see this? How did this ever seem like a good idea!?!?
6. The inside jokes commence
Every mistake now leads to an epic struggle not to break character. It doesn't help that your sheer exhaustion makes everything extra hilarious.
7. School work ceases to matter
You won't have to perform that essay in front of a full house so kick it to the curb and get back to reading your script.
8. So does hygiene
Laundry? Styling your hair? Ha. Hahaha. Yeah that's not happening.
9. The show becomes your mental soundtrack
Ever get a song stuck in your head? Try a whole script. This is ten times more maddening if it's a musical.
10. You finally open
People came! And they saw! And they liked it! Cue all the warm and fuzzy feels.
11. It’s all over
Just when everyone finally has the show down perfectly and the magic starts to happen it's time to say goodbye. Though your adventures with this cast may be over, it won't be long until you find yourself experiencing the roller-coaster of tech week all over again.
