First: Come Prepared

The following three tips will ensure you are ready to tackle whatever happens during a tech rehearsal.

1. Bring a pencil and write down changes

A show doesn’t come fully together until tech week where all design aspects come together. Be sure to have a pencil and your script so you can write down when you move set pieces or props along with any changes to spacing and choreography. Nothing slows down a rehearsal like having to remind actors when to move set pieces or that an entrance, exit, or dance move has been added or changed. Taking the time to write down these changes in your script and looking over them before the next rehearsal will help the whole process run smoother.

2. Bring your listening ears

Tech rehearsals often have to start and stop so that directors can address all of the technical aspects such as lighting, scene changes, spacing, sound, and other issues that need to be smoothed out before opening a show. In order to have the least stressful tech week actors should come prepared to listen. Excessive talking or other disruptions can hinder production staff communication, which means lost rehearsal time. When a director says hold or stop be sure to listen and respond immediately. It can be very tempting to chat quietly with your neighbor, but remember if everyone does that there will be a whole stage full of people talking, which can get very loud.

Instead, when a scene or number is stopped put your eyes and ears on the director. Even if they’re not talking directly to you, what they are sharing with the rest of the cast may be important for you in a future scene.

3. Be Kind!

Tech Week can be stressful, especially for students new to the theater. Be patient with your fellow cast members. Give them space to work with the director and get accustomed to all of the new additions; lights, sound, set pieces, etc. Chose to use encouraging words when interacting backstage and be respectful in the dressing rooms, especially when fellow cast members are listening for cues.

Second: Take care of your body.

It is your instrument and the additional stress of tech week can open the doors for unwanted colds, vocal strain, and pulled muscles.

4. Warm-up and cool down

Warming up both your body and voice is important if you want to avoid strained muscles or vocal fatigue during these more intense rehearsals. While many choreographers and music directors will include a pre-rehearsal or show warm-up sometimes, technical issues get in the way. Therefore it is important to take time to warm-up both your body and voice before rehearsal.

Warm-ups should not be strenuous and do not require a lot of time. Work your way through several lip trills and sirens vocally while gently stretching. Take time to gently move all of your joints, rolling the neck, shrugging the shoulders, twirling the wrists and ankles. Take several intentional breaths being sure to relax into the ribs.

After rehearsals take time to cool the body down so that muscles do not become tight and to alleviate any vocal strain from rehearsing. Cool down exercises can be the same as warm-ups. Slow and gentle is the goal. Again lip trills and sirens within a comfortable range and gently stretching out the muscles and rolling out the joints will make sure you’re ready to go the next day.

5. Wash your hands frequently

Props and set pieces are often touched by multiple cast members throughout the run of a show, washing your hands prior to starting a run can ensure you don’t add to the germ burden and washing your hands immediately after a run can ensure anything you might have picked up while handling set pieces and props doesn’t have a chance to enter your body.

While an alcohol based hand sanitizer can work in a pinch, taking the time to wash with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds offers the best protection. It’s also provides another opportunity to rehearse your lines or lyrics. Try saying all of your lines in a row while washing your hands or sing through one of your songs; you’ll work your brain while keeping your body healthy!

6. Stay Hydrated!

Staying hydrated is key to maintaining optimal physical and mental performance, as well as keeping energy levels up. All of which are necessary during the run of a show. So be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. And feel free to include mineral water or an electrolyte powder to help maintain balance. Especially during summer or dance heavy shows where these important minerals are lost due to intense sweating.

7. Prioritize Rest

Tech week requires a lot of physical, emotional, and mental energy. It is important to protect sleep and rest times to ensure your body is recharged and ready to go for the next day’s rehearsals and/or shows. Create or use an established bedtime routine to help your body and mind wind down so that you’re ready to fall asleep quickly and deeply.

Also be sure to watch the clock. The adrenaline and excitement of working on a show can easily fool your body into feeling like it is earlier than it actually is. Having an alarm set for when to start your bedtime routine can help ensure you don’t stay up too late and sacrifice tomorrow’s energy for a little more fun today.

8. Select Healthier Snack

Tech week can often wreak havoc on our eating schedules, especially in the snacking department. After all our bodies need to replace the energy spent during these more intense rehearsal times. Try to choose whole food snacks that provide a healthy balance of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates as opposed to sugar or additive laden treats. Some of my favorite go to’s are sliced apples with nut butter, no sugar added dried fruit with roasted nuts, cheese slices with grapes, and cucumbers dipped in yogurt sauce.

9. Add a Probiotic to your Daily Routine

70 to 80 percent of our immune system is located in the tissues of our guts. Gross to think about, but important to know if you want to give yourself an immune boost during times of stress such as tech week. Probiotics are a great way to give the beneficial bacteria and yeasts found in your gut a boost.

If you currently take a daily probiotic or include probiotic-rich food in your diet (such as unpasteurized sauerkraut or kombucha) try increasing your daily amount. If you’re currently not taking or eating probiotic-rich food try adding a small amount daily to give your immune system a boost.

Finally…

10. Have Fun!!!

Tech Week is where the whole show finally comes together! While the process can be stressful at times be sure to enjoy it. Have fun on stage with your fellow actors and feed off of one another ‘s energy. Adding sets, costumes, and lights can bring a new level of energy and life to your character. Embrace it and ride the wave to your first performance!

Implement one or all of these tips to help eliminate some of the stress of tech week and be sure to share with your friends!