If You're Going Through Hell...

Tech week, also known as hell week, has earned its nickname – it’s always hell no matter what show it is and some shows are more hellish than others. If you haven’t been rehearsing in the theater, you essentially have to re-space the entire show in a matter of days, add lights, add costumes, add make-up, add band, add mics, add sets. You’re meeting new faces and trying to remember their names, your lines, your choreography, and your music. Rehearsals get longer and become more tedious. Everyone’s nerves are fried. Things are said. Lots of things are said. People are constantly reminding you to be quiet, to be patient. Folks get crabby. No one likes hell week. It sucks. No, really. It sucks.

Winston Churchill once said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” That is exactly what a production team has to do in order to open a show. We have to just keep going. And, the moment that you let go and just accept that hell week is going to suck but it won’t last forever, you start to enjoy the process. You notice things that you didn’t notice before during a scene. You get inspired. You remember why you love the craft.

Last night was our first run with all the magical theatre ingredients: sets, props, mics, lights, costumes, make-up, and the band. There were enchanting moments and there were train wreck moments. I blundered a few lines, but I nailed my choreography for the first time. Yay me! I got my pre-show ritual down and felt healthy at the end of the night. Success! And, I must say that this cast looks damn good! The selfie action backstage is pretty epic.

Tonight is our last run without an audience and I think after one more go at this, we’ll be ready for an audience. After all, theatre isn’t truly theatre without an audience. It's the last magical ingredient that makes a show a success!

No more “what ifs” – ready for “let’s do this”. See you on the other side.