{"id":2584,"date":"2017-02-21T21:00:29","date_gmt":"2017-02-21T21:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/?p=2584"},"modified":"2020-04-24T18:30:17","modified_gmt":"2020-04-24T18:30:17","slug":"5-tips-for-leading-the-double-life-the-performertechnician-hybrid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/5-tips-for-leading-the-double-life-the-performertechnician-hybrid\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips for Leading the Double Life: the Performer\/Technician Hybrid"},"content":{"rendered":"

5 Tips for Leading the Double Life: the Performer\/Technician Hybrid<\/h3>\n \"\"<\/a><\/span>

Written by\u00a0Ashleigh Gardner<\/p>\n

February 20, 2017<\/p>\n<\/font>

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It\u2019s no great secret that technicians can be performers and performers can be technicians. I\u2019ve been both for almost my entire theatre career. While I <\/span>love <\/span><\/i>performing onstage, I also enjoy the offstage joys of prop fabrication, costuming, carpentry, and sound design. Every artistic field offers me something different, and for other theatre people who might be interested in becoming that elusive — but valuable — \u00a0performer\/technician hybrid, here are some tips for balancing your double life.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Let your director know.<\/h4>\n
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You may find yourself eyeing that lighting board when rehearsals start or picking up a paintbrush when your director says, \u201cAll hands on deck!\u201d during tech week. Or, if you’re a technician interested in performance, you might be rehearsing the dance choreography at home. If you find yourself interested in a particular performance or technical role, let your director know that you\u2019d like to pursue that further, whether it\u2019s being placed on the crew instead of performing, or being considered for a role in the next show.<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. Ask technicians or performers you know for advice — and listen.<\/i><\/h4>\n
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The best advice you can ever get about a profession is <\/span>from <\/span><\/i>a professional in that field. Technicians have been through almost every problem you can think of, and they\u2019ve probably solved it, too. The same goes for professional performers. If you\u2019d like to get into set design for <\/span>Peter Pan <\/span><\/i>or learn to belt that solo from\u00a0Cabaret<\/em><\/span>, seek out a professional and ask them what <\/span>they <\/span><\/i>would do. Write down, remember, and apply their wisdom.<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. Stick to your \u201crole\u201d.<\/h4>\n
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If you\u2019ve been cast in a show, but you\u2019re passionate about costuming, don\u2019t automatically assume that you\u2019ll be needed on the costume crew — or that you\u2019re in charge of costumes at all.\u00a0<\/span>The polite thing to do is tell the director that you\u2019re interested in costumes and ask if the costume designer needs help. If they do, great! Ask if you can assist during quick changes or sewing tears in costume pieces. If they don\u2019t, respect your designers and technicians and don\u2019t press the issue. Ask if you can help that department during the next show.<\/p>\n

For technicians, if you’d like to fill in as an understudy for a show that’s already cast, or\u00a0if you\u00a0can\u00a0<\/em>sing, and the director needs another voice in the wings, ask them if you can lend a hand. Don’t ever assume.<\/p>\n

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4. Offer your services (if they\u2019re needed).<\/h4>\n
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If you find yourself in a production for a small theatre company that doesn\u2019t have a designer or technician on staff, or they’re looking for a person to fill a role (and you have some performance experience under your belt), offer your experience. Or better yet, if you know of a professional technician or professional performer that meets the theatre\u2019s criteria, ask the theatre if you can contact that person\u00a0about the position or role. If they still can\u2019t obtain a professional in the business, state your interest in that position to the director. You may find yourself playing a bride of Dracula and becoming the property master at the same time — a set of responsibilities that proves to be a handful, but an opportunity that\u2019s totally rewarding. (If this ends up happening, keep a folder along with your script with all essential information pertaining to your technical skill and that particular show\u2019s needs.)<\/span><\/p>\n

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5. Don\u2019t expect the skill to come to you naturally. Practice!<\/h4>\n
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Nobody is perfect at anything. Skill takes time and practice. So if you\u2019re into costuming, dance, props, Shakespeare, lighting, Mamet, sound design, clowning, rigging, method acting, stage management, or set construction, and you\u2019re <\/span>not <\/span><\/i>great at it, but you like it, don\u2019t back down. Persist in your interests, and you\u2019ll be rewarded with experience and confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n
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Need some advice? We\u2019ve got you covered.<\/h3>\n