Opening Night: How I Prepare for Technical Rehearsals

# Opening Night: How I Prepare for Technical Rehearsals Tech week. Those words can strike fear into the hearts of theater professionals everywhere. But with proper preparation, tech can actually be an exciting, creative time rather than a stressful scramble. ## The Week Before ### Physical Preparation - Get your sleep schedule ready for long days - Stock up on healthy snacks and hydration - Prepare comfortable clothes for long sits at the console ### Technical Preparation - Verify all console prep is complete - Test any custom macros or plugins - Ensure backup files are current - Charge batteries, test headsets ### Mental Preparation - Review the show's arc and key moments - Study the designer's notes and references - Visualize potential challenges and solutions ## Day of Tech ### Morning Routine I arrive early to: - Verify the console is patched and responding - Check all fixtures are working - Run through key looks from prep work - Brief with the stage manager on the day's schedule ### During Tech The real skill is managing energy across long days. I take brief mental breaks when possible, stay hydrated, and keep notes organized for later review. ## Conclusion Preparation removes anxiety. When you've done the work beforehand, tech becomes about creativity rather than crisis management.