Tech Week is often considered the last hurdle before a show goes up. Your rehearsals are finished, and now it’s time to bring all the pieces together. Known as “hell week” to some, tech week can be a very stressful, confusing time to people who aren’t prepared. Because I’ve gone through a few tech weeks before, I decided to come up with some tips on how to make your tech week the best it can be.

1. Bring something to do (or you will be very, very bored)

Tech can be a very long experience. I’ve spent hours waiting to go on stage, and I know I would have been bored out of my mind if I didn’t bring something to do. This could be anything from bringing a book to read, bringing a computer to catch up on netflix, or even bringing *gasp* your homework. You can also spend this time to run lines with your fellow actors. Trust me, you will feel a million times more confident if you do this before going on stage

2. Be respectful to your fellow actors/techies (the golden rule)

Being nice and respectful to your cast and crew is something you should always do, but especially during tech. Tech Week is when it can be most stressful for everyone, and this week is incredibly important for everyone involved in the tech side of the production. You will make the production run so much smoother if you are nice and respectful to the other actors/techies. Things like: not talking on the stage when the techies are working, cleaning up after yourself in the greenroom, and listening to your stage managers are all ways you can respect both the techies and your fellow actors. Remember, you would think it very rude if anyone interrupted you when you were working, so don’t do it here.

3. Remember to eat+drink (stay healthy)

Rehearsals during tech week can start early and run late. As such you have to remember to eat and drink and basically do the best you can to stay healthy. Bring a healthy snack and some water with you every day to tech. If you do start feeling sick, be sure to get it checked out. No one wants you to get sick opening night, and you run the risk of getting other members of the cast and crew sick if you don’t go see a doctor.

4. If you’re early, you’re on time (and if you’re on time, you’re late)

Time is of the essence in tech. There is a lot to get done, and a small amount of time to do it all. Your stage manager will send you a schedule, and it’s your job to follow that schedule. If you are called early in the morning, it’s not to punish you, it’s because you are needed there at that time. Respect the time the rest of the cast and crew have put/will put into the production, and show up on time. This also leads into sleeping. basically make sure you’re getting enough of it. If you have any big projects coming up, maybe try to get them done before tech so you’re not up at 2:00 AM working on them when you’re called at 8:00 AM in the morning.

5. Remember why you are at tech (and have fun)

Remember the reason you’re at tech. You’re at tech because you have worked long and hard throughout the rehearsal process to put on a great piece of theatre. You should be glad and happy for everything you’ve accomplished so far, and you should be excited for what your show will look like when it is finished. If you can remember this and come into tech with a good attitude, tech will be so much fun for you. You will make memories you will never forget, and new friendships you may not have had before. Ultimately tech can be a very rich and rewarding experience, you just have to remember to come into it with a positive outlook. Remember, you are at tech week because you love theatre, don’t forget that.

So there you have it, my tips to surviving tech. Is this a complete list? Not at all, but these are the tips that I thought were the most important to surviving tech. I hope this helped!