“The show must go on.” A statement that speaks truth when making your way to tech week for a performance. Being in a musical can be so much fun and you’ll absolutely meet the best people in the theater. That being said, you will want to kill all of them by the end of tech week. Here is a list of other things you can guarantee will happen the week leading up to tech week in any musical.

1. At least one person will drop out of the show last minute. This is just bound to happen especially in college theater. So many things get in the way of life and you can never ensure that everyone in your cast will be able to pull through.
2. You will sweat so much more than you realized was possible. “Make sure you’re singing the correct notes together with the 20 other people in the cast, dance on time with the music and as a group, smile, don’t forget your lines…” It is impossible to say you won’t feel the physical effects of working your butt off for seven hours a day. But don’t worry, it will all be worth it.
3. Forget about eating real meals, THERE’S NO TIME. Just grab your bagel, cream cheese, Gatorade, and get to the theater. Don’t even worry if you don’t have time to eat healthy, you won’t gain a single pound. (See #2)
4. I hate to tell you this, but you will miss or fail at least one assignment. “But I’m on top of all my homework!” You just think you are, tech week will show up and you will have three exams, two papers, and a presentation all due by opening night, I promise.
5. You will get sick, but don’t worry so is the WHOLE cast. You’ve all been around each other way too much and this is how you get rewarded. You’re all dying on the inside and out, but at least you’re all dying together. That’s dedication, that’s teamwork.
6. Even if you do not like coffee, it will be your drink of necessity every day. Between school work, rehearsal, and working you’ll need this liquid gold to maintain your lifestyle.
7. If you look back at #6 you’ll realize I didn’t include hanging out with your friends or having a social life. That’s because it doesn’t exist. Goodbye friends, significant other, and family. You don’t exist in tech week. I’ll see you after closing night.
8. Sleeping is limited or nonexistent. I’m so sorry, I know you’re tired but you have that exam, presentation, two papers, dance, and song rehearsals to work on. Sleep doesn’t fit anymore. There is a way to help this lack of sleep though. Refer to #6.
9. The most important thing to remember through all of this is that the show WILL come together. You’re so talented and so is everyone else around you. You didn’t get cast just because you’re another pretty face, you’ve got something to contribute to a bigger picture. You’re in a musical, and it’s going to be amazing.