BWW Blog: Amanda Grillo - Luciana's Outlook: A Tech Week Survival Guide

It's that time in the process yet again. Welcome to Tech week. Some call it tech week, hell week, production week, or show week. It all means the same thing though. It is the week leading up to the first performance. It is graced with long nights, malfunctions, and unfortunately a good deal of stress. I, however, hope to alleviate some of that stress with a few tips and tricks to get through the week. Being that we are in tech week, ourselves, at The Comedy of Errors, this article could not be more relevant. Here we go!

1. Get a lot of rest.
   A tired actor is not a happy actor. A tired techie is not a happy techie. Caffeine can only carry you so far and even then, one should back away from caffeine for a while, lest it dry out your throat and vocal chords.
   An actor should remain well rested and level headed, so that the rehearsals and tech days can run as smoothly and safely as possible.
2. Stay consistent in your personal rehearsal regimen.
   Though you were told to be off book weeks ago, your script should still be your best friend. Between going over lines and reading over blocking notes, even at this stage in the process, your script is a valued tool. Keeping lines fresh in your head is very important.
3. Stay hydrated and well fed.
   Water is a necessity. The last thing anyone needs is to pass out on stage due to dehydration. Do not, however, take this to the extreme and drink so much that you have to go to the bathroom in every other scene. If you are in a situation similar to Comedy of Errors, backstage bathrooms aren't exactly a thing, unless you can sprint across the park to the church where we get ready.
   Food is necessary to live, so why would it even need to be mentioned in a tips article? Because some people actually need it. Food is a source of energy. It helps us to function properly. Whether you are pressured to not eat, feel too rushed to eat, or whatever your reason may be, going without food is dangerous. Similar to the hydration situation, passing out on stage is obviously a big old no. I'll let you in on a little secret...if it's a part of the scene...it's called acting and most directors want to keep it that way.
4. Health is a number one priority.
   This goes for mental and physical health. If you are feeling sick, treat it as soon as you can. If you are in an outdoor production and you know that you have awful allergies, don't forget to take your medicine. If there is a way to prevent injuries from happening, do it. Accidents of course do happen, but take care of it even in an early stage so it doesn't develop into something worse.
   If you have a lot on your mind or something has got you down, do your best to figure out how it can be helped. Everyone has different methods of coping. I like to talk, or write. Some people need to just be left alone until they are needed for a scene. Finding a method that works best for you can certainly alleviate the stress that is happening.
   If this is something that can potentially hinder your performance, tell your director and stage manager. If something can be modified, it will be done.
5. Listen.
   Directors and stage managers are under a lot of stress. The last thing they need to do is repeat themselves. It is perfectly okay to have questions, but chances are they might answer them if you let them finish what they are explaining. Maybe someone else already asked the question and they are about to answer it.
6. Communicate.
   If there is a problem or you don't understand something, say it. Whether it be costume, prop, or even scheduling confusion, a proper flow of communication makes everything easier.
7. BREATHE!!!!!!!!!!!
   Before you know it, you will be taking closing night bows and you'll look at my previous article to try and figure out how to beat the post production blues. Until then, enjoy the late nights, the bonding moments on breaks, the comradery that forms because before you know it, you'll be counting down to the next time you can see your show family.

Join me this Friday and Saturday [August 12th and 13th] as I finish my summer along this extremely talented cast of characters and crew that I am lucky to have spent this summer with learning the show.

West Haven Council on the Arts/ Theater West presents The Comedy of Errors.
August 12th and 13th
Food Trucks Available at 7pm, Show begins at 8pm