What is tech week you might ask…
Well, Tech Week is the week where the actors and staff move into the theater and take what they learned at Parkside for the past 9 weeks and bring it to the stage to get ready for opening night. This is a very exciting time but a very busy and hectic time. Time at the theater begins onSunday, March 7 with a safety tour of the theater. The staff will teach the kids theater etiquette and rules that they will need to abide by during the show run. The rules are in place mainly for the safety of the actors, stage crew and volunteers.
Once the safety talk is done and the actors begin to run through the show and space the scenes on the stage. The actors will be situated back stage in the “green room” or in the audience during this time.
On Saturday & Sunday, March 13 & 14, we go back to Parkside for a few more run through rehearsals. Then on Monday, March 15, we move to the theater for the remainder of the show.
As you know already or may have heard from other parents, tech week requires the actors to sit around – A LOT. There are many tech pieces that need to be worked out with the director, stage manager, choreographer, music director and orchestra, vocal director, lighting and sound designer, set designer, set crew, and stage crew (did I leave anyone out?). But the cast must be there to work their scenes when it is time to be on stage, so it is vital the actors are there the whole day.
This presents the issue of “how do we keep the kids quiet, attentive, active but not too active, and interested?” Good question! The actors should bring activities to keep them busy. One thing I do is ask my daughter’s teacher for her homework for all next week and she works on that during the down time. I have also seen kids playing cards, knitting, playing travel board games, reading books, doing crossword puzzles, coloring, drawing…you name it. If it is a quiet activity, it is a good idea to bring it! Be sure anything your child brings is clearly labeled so if it is misplaced (come on – I’m just being realistic) it is easy to get it back to the owner.
On our long Sunday call, staff and chaperone volunteers will do our best to give the kids some time to get outside and run off some of their energy. We all know it is hard to keep kids quiet when there are 73 of them, but we will get them some time to get fresh air and stretch their legs.
Remember to send your child with a lunch and snack on Sunday. They are not allowed to eat in the theater or back stage, but we will provide them time to have lunch and snack.
Costumes, Hair & Make Up
We ask that the actors arrive at the theater in their costume with their hair and make up done and ready to go. It is important that this happen because our call time is so short, we will need all the time we can get for all the technical warm ups. Hair and make up will not be permitted to be done at the theater. Actors should take their costume home each evening. It is best to have a labeled laundry basket they can use to bring their costumes back and forth in after every show. Be sure that their costume is also clearly labeled.
Cast should be in costume and make up for Tuesday and Wednesday rehearsals.
Should you have any additional questions regarding Tech Week, please let me know and I will be happy to answer them. Following is the schedule for Tech Week. (Subject to change slightly)
All Cast and Stage Crew will be called – all at Canada College
Sunday, March 7 – 10:30am-5:30pm - Rehearsal attire
Monday, March 15 – 6:00-9:30pm – Costumes but no make up
Tuesday, March 16 – 6:00-9:30pm – Full costume & make up
Wednesday, March 17 – 6:00-9:30pm – Full costume & make up
At Parkside
Monday, March 8 – (To Be Determined)
Saturday, March 13 – 11:00am-3:00pm – All Cast Called
Sunday, March 14 – 1:00pm-5:00pm – All Cast Called
Show Call
Thursday, March 18 – 9:00am Call Time (Ham Cast)
Friday, March 19 – 6:30pm Call Time (Ham Cast)
Saturday, March 20 – 1:00pm Call Time (Green Eggs Cast)
Sunday, March 21 – 1:00pm Call Time (Ham Cast)
Thursday, March 25 – 9:00am Call Time (Green Eggs Cast)
Friday, March 26 – 6:30pm Call Time (Green Eggs Cast)
Saturday, March 27 – 1:00pm Call Time (Ham Cast)Sunday, March 28 – 1:00pm Call Time (Green Eggs Cast)
| Tech Week is almost here. This is that intense week we told you all about at the parent meeting during auditions. Can you believe it is here! |