{"id":2687,"date":"2019-11-05T10:31:02","date_gmt":"2019-11-05T10:31:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/?p=2687"},"modified":"2026-04-07T16:13:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T16:13:13","slug":"tips-for-keeping-your-cool-during-tech-rehearsal-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/news-and-advice\/the-essentials\/tips-for-keeping-your-cool-during-tech-rehearsal-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Six Tips for Keeping Your Cool During Tech Rehearsal Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

Necessary though it is,\u00a0tech rehearsal week has accrued a somewhat intimidating reputation. It\u2019s an important part of the process – but how can you make it less gruelling? Tom Baker offers his top tips for keeping your cool during tech week.<\/em><\/h2>\n

Being part of a theatre production is a magical thing. A group collaborate to conjure an entire world, a compelling set of characters, and a story for audiences in what was previously an empty space. There is nothing like the exhilaration of a successful performance. But before that, there\u2019s the exquisite pain of tech week.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not for nothing that this period is ‘affectionately’ known as hell week. That final stretch of prep introduces so many different spinning plates, it\u2019s almost a given one is going to topple off and crash\u00a0to the floor. The blocking doesn\u2019t work with the stage design, lights break, make-up melts, costumes don\u2019t fit the way they were supposed to. But hey! That\u2019s what tech week is for, right? To fix these problems before the audience has to see them.<\/p>\n

Keeping your cool pre-show is one thing. Maintaining a sense of composure during hell week requires the sort of patience usually attributed to saints. Though through a combination of self-care, empathy, and routine, you ought to be able to keep it together without the need for martyrdom…<\/p>\n

Try and maintain some semblance of routine<\/h3>\n

During this final stretch before showtime proper, your director may call some earlier-than-usual rehearsals. Experiments with the tech will cause your schedule to overrun, and the likelihood of solidarity pints after leaving the theatre space is strong. Flexibility is a necessity during this period. Losing yourself entirely in the tech week tornado isn\u2019t a given, however.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t exhaust yourself unnecessarily from what is always going to be a tiring period of work. Do your best to keep regular hours as best you can: sleep properly, at the same time every night. Do the same for your meals, gym time, yoga, or other self-care activities that can keep you from losing your head.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
Taking care of your body is as important during tech week as it always is – possibly more so.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n