BWW Blog: Tech Week: aka The Final Countdown

Hey Broadwayworld.com. It's me Lea. I am here with life as crazy as it gets. This week has been a crazy/busy week because we had rehearsals for Middletown, every day; we had tech rehearsal, dress rehearsal, running through the entire show. Part of me feels very excited, nervous and a little bit overwhelmed since I am juggling a personal life, home life, school, and play rehearsals. It's a lot to handle. I wrote this blog originally on Saturday but I'm sending it now and it's already Wednesday. I rewrote some things and have been busy preparing for a show. We open TOMORROW. OH MY GOD. I can't believe it's going to be real. SOMEONE PLEASE PINCH ME.

Speaking of school work, I had to schedule an interview with a friend of mine, Marc, for my class assignment. We spoke about the Inclusion setting which we were both in at elementary school. Inclusion setting is for children on the Autism spectrum and it is set in the general ed setting with a para professional with 2 kids who also get a visiting special ed teacher in addition to the general ed teacher. Marc wants to advocate for the services to continue in college. Marc was extremely articulate in his desire and goal to do this. It was a very interesting interview and I'm hoping my professor thinks so as well.

Just to give a briefing of what happened during this period: We moved into the actual theater where we will do the performances and this is very exciting. We had rehearsals all week including the weekend. We were there up till 11 at night. It's worth the work to get this show up and ready. There is a lot to do when you are in tech week or as I hear people in the theater call it "Hell Week". It can be long because there is a lot of waiting. We are working with our crew (shout out to them), we have a live musician, plus we are adding sound, lights, sets, projections and costumes. It can be time-consuming. I have long breaks in between my scenes so I was able to get stuff done including homework. I had to read a play and also read the New York Times Sunday Arts and Leisure section because I have an oral presentation. I had to figure out who I want to do my journalism midterm on. I am doing this midterm interview project on my director and it's a matter of scheduling as we open our play this weekend. I am writing this blog as I sit in my dressing room wearing the cutest costume I have ever worn: a dress with cats and circus tents with lavender converse shoes. While in rehearsals, I call my mom who has been sick with the flu but she is getting better and I hope she is fine for opening night.

Our stage and set look amazing (I would say more but if there is anyone reading this who is coming to see Middletown, this is all the spoilers are getting. You are just going to have to come to the show).

One of the great benefits of being in a show is that you bond with your cast. You have some people to go grab dinner/lunch with on meal breaks. Queens College is so close to a lot: a deli, Chinese food, Dunkin Donuts, vending machines for quick snacks, the campus Starbucks, a pizza place right across the street, McDonalds (I don't know where it is but I see people bringing McDonalds so I put it here) and more.

I thought I would make a list of how to survive tech:

I'll start: have stuff to do in between: homework to keep up your grades, and a book when you are done.

Now advice from some of my cast members:

"Have a book or a notebook. Something to read or a sudoku puzzle" Victoria Gomez (Librarian)

"Have a lot of patience and stamina" - James Terrell (Man on Date/Landscaper/Janitor)

"Have at least one person to talk to because being in for 12 hours you need someone to crack a joke and a 20-minute nap" Joshua Mitchell (Mechanic)

"Have patience because there is a lot of standing and you have to be able to listen carefully" - Marija Pantovic (Tour Guide/ Attendant/ Music Host)

*I do want to point out one quick thing. My company is so wonderful. I had gone through a stressful and overwhelming period. My cast has become my family who makes me laugh. These are people who cheer me up. My director and everyone who I have met in this process have been so wonderful. As we head into out opening night, I just want to say as simple as I can put it: thank you and let's rock these performances.