HOW TO SURVIVE TECH WEEK AND EMERGE VICTORIOUS!
HOW TO SURVIVE TECH WEEK AND EMERGE VICTORIOUS!
Plus, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed!
Welcome to The Scene, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed. In this week’s email:
HOT TOPICS: Theatre Producers of Color announces 2023 participants; New York City Center Announces Ann Reinking Encores! Choreography Fellowship; Central Pa. school board nixes student production of ADDAMS FAMILY musical.
BROADWAY BEAT: BACK TO THE FUTURE announces complete Broadway cast; Tony Award-winning THE INHERITANCE to be released by Audible Theater; The Return of SWEENEY TODD to Broadway
THE BIG IDEA: How to Survive Tech Week and Emerge Victorious!
REGIONAL THEATRE NEWS: PETER PAN GOES WRONG Will Fly from Broadway to Los Angeles; THE CHER SHOW, ANNIE, and More Set For AT&T Performing Arts Center 2023/24 Broadway Season; Venture Inside the Understudy, a Rare Cafe and Theater Bookstore in Chicago
Hot Topics
THEATRE PRODUCERS OF COLOR ANNOUNCES 2023 PARTICIPANTS - TPOC has announced the 2023 “cohort” of participants taking part in its third annual Producing 101 education program.
NEW YORK CITY CENTER ANNOUNCES ANN REINKING ENCORES! CHOREOGRAPHY FELLOWSHIP - The late Tony winner choreographed CHICAGO for the Encores! program, and that revival is now the longest-running American musical in Broadway history.
CENTRAL PA. SCHOOL BOARD NIXES STUDENT PRODUCTION OF ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL - One of the nation’s most popular high school comedy musicals promotes bad values and has no place in the Northern Lebanon School District, according to officials who voted it down this week.
The Broadway Beat
BACK TO THE FUTURE ANNOUNCES COMPLETE BROADWAY CAST - The previously announced production is scheduled to begin performances on June 30 ahead of an official opening night on Aug. 3 at the Winter Garden Theatre.
TONY AWARD-WINNING THE INHERITANCE WILL BE RELEASED BY AUDIBLE THEATER - The 2020 Best Play Tony award winner is among the latest slate of plays coming to the audio storytelling service.
THE RETURN OF SWEENEY TODD TO BROADWAY
The Big Idea
How to Survive Tech Week and Emerge Victorious!
Ah, Tech Week. The magical time when theatre teachers and directors are stretched to their limits, surviving on a diet of caffeine and adrenaline as they scramble to pull together all the technical elements of their production before opening night. It's a time when tempers are short, emotions are high, and anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. But fear not, dear theatre teacher! Here are 5 ways to survive Tech Week and emerge victorious.
Duct Tape - The Ultimate Problem Solver
Theatre teachers know that duct tape is the ultimate problem solver. Got a prop that won't stay together? Duct tape it. Need to secure a lighting fixture? Duct tape it. Costume falling apart? Duct tape it. During Tech Week, duct tape becomes your best friend. So make sure you have plenty of it on hand and remember, if you can't fix it with duct tape, it probably can't be fixed.
The Buddy System
During Tech Week, it's important to have a support system in place. Find a fellow teacher or director who can be your "tech week buddy." This person can help you problem-solve, lend a sympathetic ear when you need to vent, and remind you to take breaks when you're getting overwhelmed. Just make sure it's someone you trust.
The Power of Positive Thinking (and a Little Bit of Denial)
Let's face it, Tech Week is stressful. But as the saying goes, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." So, instead of dwelling on all the things that could go wrong, focus on the things that are going right. And if there's something that's not quite right, just tell yourself that it's part of the "charm" of live theatre. Remember, a little bit of denial can go a long way. All kidding aside, it’s always a good idea to stay as positive as possible, especially when things are not running smoothly.
The Magic of Snacks
Snacks are a powerful tool during Tech Week. Not only do they keep you fueled and energized, but they can also be used as a bribe to keep your students motivated. Need a little extra help moving set pieces? Offer up some snacks. Want your actors to stay focused during a long tech rehearsal? Bring out the snacks. Just make sure you have a variety of options to accommodate different dietary needs.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
When all else fails, remember that laughter is the best medicine. Find the humor in the chaos and keep your sense of humor intact. When something goes wrong (and it will), try to see the funny side of it. Laugh with your students and colleagues, and remember that at the end of the day, theatre is supposed to be fun.
So, there you have it, five tools to help you survive Tech Week. Remember, it's a crazy, stressful, and wonderful time. Embrace the chaos, rely on your support system, and most importantly, don't forget to have fun. And if all else fails, just duct tape it.
REGIONAL THEATRE NEWS
PETER PAN GOES WRONG WILL FLY FROM BROADWAY TO LOS ANGELES - The Mischief production will open at the Ahmanson Theatre this summer.
THE CHER SHOW, ANNIE, AND MORE SET FOR AT&T PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 2023/24 BROADWAY SEASON – This one is for all you Dallas, Texas The Scene readers.
VENTURE INSIDE ‘THE UNDERSTUDY’, A RARE CAFE AND THEATER BOOKSTORE IN CHICAGO THATS OPENS TODAY - The long-awaited coffee shop is poised to hit the stage in Andersonville.
DUCT TAPE??????????????? GAFF, Always Gaff.
I understand there's a tounge-in-cheek quality to your tip about duct tape, but anything--light fixture, scenic element, small speaker--that is heavy enough to cause injury must never be secured with a tape adhesive. In particular, lights get hot and will melt away adhesive. Educational theater makers are under crazy pressures to make things work, but some quick fixes aren't.