7 Tips to Achieve a Zen-like Tech Week

Written by: Amanda Leurquin

Date: August 26th 2019

Welcome to Tech Week! Sometimes, you can feel overwhelmed and alone, despite the many people all around. Here are tips to help you succeed in a “Zen-like” Tech Week! Namaste all!

1. Plan Ahead

This may sound like a no-brainer, but be best you can to plan ahead via the rehearsal schedule, classroom schedule (Hint: this is the one week (or two) of the year to pull out the film version of The Crucible for students to watch in class), and the timing of strike, will save you your sanity. I plan on my weekends, but devote at least one day a week to grading (I won’t even hold practice on two-three days per week so that I can plan and grade in my other class preps).

2. Arrive Early and have a Schedule in Place

Be there before the students arrive by half an hour. Don’t squander the time given. If you are putting on a musical, ask the pit to be ready 45 minutes after the actors are there to report. You don’t want them waiting around to rehearse and feeling like their time is unimportant. Have plans in place for the actors to be in makeup, soundcheck, etc. and warmed up at certain times, so everyone is timely prepared.

3. Reflect on the Show (by yourself)

Before the doors open, take some time to reflect on the process in a positive light. Walk the halls quietly, think about the first rehearsal and the last rehearsal, and give yourself the internal pep talk you need to succeed. It’s such an accomplishment to know you made it! Bravo!

4. Take a Walk, Work Out – Do Something for Yourself

I always have a show on Saturday nights, and this is the one day I’ll be at the gym that week. I’ll also go grocery shopping and do the laundry. It’s the calm before the storm, but I call it my “normal before the end” – it’s beautiful. Do something for yourself – don’t lock yourself in the performance space all weekend and pretend it’s awesome.

5. Meet with the Stage Manager about Shift Sheets

Before unveiling the glorious “Shift Sheets” meet with the stage manager to go over them, and review with cast and crew which sheets are in charge of the scenes. Remind the cast and crew to check them daily, and tell the stage manager the expectation is that the sheets are updated daily too.

6. Plan ahead for Strike

Place all cast and crew on a sheet with each area of Strike responsibilities, and post those sheets during the last show. Have stated expectations as to what must be fulfilled (completing a certain number of “Strike” hours to qualify for something) for their duties in the show to be accomplished. I place students in crew on set removal, some male and female performers in charge of dressing room clean-up, and others in running props to the closet, etc. They sign up with the time they arrive by their name, and work till three hours are complete. If they don’t complete it on that day, they come back and finish responsibilities by painting the stage during the week. All students are invited to sign a wall in paint in the backstage area with the show’s name and date when done with strike hours.

7. Delegate Tasks of Responsibility

You cannot do this on your own. Make sure all adults involved in specific areas like stage construction, costumes, and makeup understand what they do to alleviate the process of strike. While the show is a time to celebrate, the strike is a time to start anew, and you need a blank canvas to achieve this.



Need some advice? We’ve got you covered.

Amanda Leurquin With over 20 productions under her experience, Amanda has been directing plays for 13 years – her entire teaching career. During the last six years, she’s also taught a drama class in addition to her Language Arts courses. She resides in Wisconsin with her husband and son, but travels as much as she can – mostly to a family home in Alaska each summer. She also enjoys taking students to New York City bi-annually to Broadway, reading, writing, and walking her two rescue dogs, Oliver and Hatcher. 
Photo credits:  Allec Gomes on Unsplash