{"id":7275,"date":"2019-09-24T20:19:18","date_gmt":"2019-09-24T20:19:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/?p=7275"},"modified":"2019-09-24T20:19:18","modified_gmt":"2019-09-24T20:19:18","slug":"7-tips-to-achieve-a-zen-like-tech-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/7-tips-to-achieve-a-zen-like-tech-week\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Tips to Achieve a Zen-like Tech Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

7 Tips to Achieve a Zen-like Tech Week<\/h3>\n \"\"<\/a><\/span>

Written by: Amanda Leurquin<\/p>\n

Date: August 26th 2019<\/p>\n<\/font>

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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 \u201cZen-like\u201d Tech Week! Namaste all!<\/p>\n

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1. Plan Ahead<\/h4>\n
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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\u00a0The Crucible<\/em>\u00a0for 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\u2019t even hold practice on two-three days per week so that I can plan and grade in my other class preps).<\/p>\n

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2. Arrive Early and have a Schedule in Place<\/h4>\n
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Be there before the students arrive by half an hour. Don\u2019t 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

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3. Reflect on the Show (by yourself)<\/h4>\n
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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\u2019s such an accomplishment to know you made it! Bravo!<\/p>\n

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4. Take a Walk, Work Out – Do Something for Yourself<\/h4>\n
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I always have a show on Saturday nights, and this is the one day I\u2019ll be at the gym that week. I\u2019ll also go grocery shopping and do the laundry. It\u2019s the calm before the storm, but I call it my \u201cnormal before the end\u201d – it\u2019s beautiful. Do something for yourself \u2013 don\u2019t lock yourself in the performance space all weekend and pretend it\u2019s awesome.<\/p>\n

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5. Meet with the Stage Manager about Shift Sheets<\/h4>\n
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Before unveiling the glorious \u201cShift Sheets\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

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6. Plan ahead for Strike<\/h4>\n
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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 \u201cStrike\u201d 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\u2019t 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\u2019s name and date when done with strike hours.<\/p>\n

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7. Delegate Tasks of Responsibility<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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Need some advice? We\u2019ve got you covered.<\/h3>\n