‘Twas the night before tech week, and all through the theater

Not a creature was stirring, not even a spider;

The props were laid on the table with care,

Ready for the students who would soon be there;

The costumes were folded, every thread in place;

The pit was all tuned, even the bass;

And the sound board was dusted and packed up away,

The light board was shining, free of all disarray.

But back in the houses, there was much distressing:

All the ensemble were awake and rehearsing!

In dorm rooms and living rooms they danced and they sang,

Afraid that tomorrow, their minds would be all blank!

Again and again they practiced and practiced more,

Hoping their director would not resort to gore;

The director was awake too, reviewing all,

But they could do nothing but worry and bawl;

The crew, too, was awake, bright-eyed and bushy-tail,

For this was their time, their turn to really prevail!

The stage crew were re-reading every cue with care

Prepared to perform every scene change with flair!

The light crew were ready, this was their time to shine,

With ample puns and some swearing, but perfect time;

The sound crew were ordering every noise with cue,

Hoping that mic check would drive no one cuckoo;

The costume crew were sewing as quick as they could,

So many alterations, but the dresses looked so good!

Even the set crew was up, painting and taping,

And the props department was still out collecting!

But the next morning, all would at last come together,

Knowing all their hard work would be for the better;

Even if they rehearsed late into the evening,

Or, the stage manager thought, early next morning,

Their hard work would pay off, they all knew it was true,

When the curtain opened that weekend for all to view;

And when the curtains finally closed on their bow,

When the pit had played their last note, the crew waved to,

All involved would be proud of their wonderful work,

Their beauty, their grace, their every-last-tiny quirk;

But first, they had to brave tech week, and all its horror,

Soon, their show would be done, ready for all to adore her!

So to all crew and cast as they approach hell week:

Break a leg, you can do it! You will be totally on fleak!