I Can't, I'm In Tech

In the theatre world, there is an unspoken understanding- tech week is hell. Rehearsals are long and tedious, designers and their assistants are frazzled and pressed for time, and everyone is exhausted. Nobody involved has any spare time or patience for anything you might want from them, so do not even bother asking. Your safest bet is to leave them alone and treat them with due pity and respect.

Tech rehearsals differ from regular rehearsals in several ways. At ONU, each night of the "week" (actually Friday through Wednesday) has a designated purpose. Friday night is a spacing rehearsal, in which the actors move from a relatively empty rehearsal space to the actual stage, which is still in some degree of construction. This allows the actors to see what the performances will actually feel like and gives the designers/crew an opportunity to see the show without their added effect. Saturday and Sunday morning consist of load-in, during which crew and work study members do their best to get as much of the set and light plot finished as possible. Saturday evening will be a cue-to-cue (abbreviated as Q2Q) rehearsal, during which the actors run through the show, stopping every few moments for sound and lighting designers to program and adjust their cues, or settings. This may or may not bleed into Sunday's rehearsal. When Q2Q is finished there is a stop-and-go during which the actors get to perform more fully with fewer designer stops. Monday night, actors are in hair, makeup and costume for the first time. Tuesday is the first dress rehearsal, during which the goal is to have no stops. Wednesday night is invited dress, which is essentially a preview. Thursday night is open, with additional performances Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Monday night is strike, when we take all the beautiful lighting and scenery we have created, tear it down, and throw it away.

Not to mention class, work, and homework every day.

Actors typically have about six weeks of rehearsal to put their part of the production together. As a member of the technical team, we have about four days to make the magic happen. As master electrician for the current production of Picnic by William Inge, I am working non-stop from the top of call until we are dismissed for the night. Actors, on the other hand, have the chance to pause in between their scenes and while the technical team is working. I certainly will never again complain about being tired as an actor.

Please go see Picnic this weekend! Performances are Thursday at 7:30 pm, Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm, and Sunday at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $5 for students, and they are well worth the price. The department has worked incredibly hard on this project and the results are beautiful.

Until next time!

Kathryn