Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Entertainment

10 Tips for Actors to Survive Tech Week

How to survive the toughest week of any performance's rehearsal process.

Christina Johns

Jun 28, 2018

Ithaca College

725

Flickr

Tech week, aka "hell week," is the most stressful part of the process of putting on a theater production. However, it IS possible to get through tech week with minimal tears. Here are my tips on how to survive hell week.

1. Get as much rest as you can

Giphy

This is, of course, is much easier said than done. Tech week involves a lot of late nights, and you most likely have something to get to early the next morning. But, nonetheless, try to get as much rest as you can. Maybe skip the extra study session, or watching that Netflix episode to get a few extra hours of sleep.

2. HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE

Giphy

Drink as much water as you possibly can this week. It will help fight off illness, keep your skin fresh even with all that harsh stage makeup, and keep your voice strong and ready to perform. So drink up!

3. Take some Vitamin C

Giphy

Illness runs rampant through casts during tech week. Everyone is spending lots of time together in very close quarters, and germs can spread super easily. Combat this by taking lots of vitamin C- tablets, gummies, powdered drinks, whatever floats your boat!

4. Eat healthfully!

Giphy

While it may be difficult when you're this busy, eating healthy foods during tech week is super important. You have to keep yourself fueled to perform and do your best! So eat fruits, veggies, and lean proteins as much as you can!

5. Drink lots of tea

Giphy

Tea is super helpful during tech week. It helps to keep you hydrated, and keep your throat clear and strong. Squirt in some honey and you're all set!

6. ….and maybe a little coffee too

farm4.static.flickr.com

Because, let's face it, you really need a caffeine boost during tech week. Just make sure to keep pumping water to counteract the dehydrating effects of caffeine.

7. Be prepared for your down time at the theater

c1.staticflickr.com

There's usually a lot of down time during tech week. Between lighting cues, scene changes, and orchestra tune-ups, there's a lot going on during tech that doesn't involve you. So, during these sometimes long and boring breaks, make sure you have something to do. Whether you bring a pillow and a blanket to take a little cat nap, that new book you've been dying to read, or your homework, find a way to spend that doing something other than scrolling your phone.

8. Take some time for yourself!

Giphy

Again, this is a bit difficult. However, this could be as simple as using a face mask before bed, going to a favorite restaurant before rehearsal, or taking a nap under your dressing table on a break. What's important is to make sure that you take some time for some self care to keep yourself from getting too stressed and tense.

9. Don’t take anything personally

Giphy

It's inevitable that during tech week someone is going to snap. If you end up being their victim, don't take it personally. It's always just due to the stress and tension of the process, and likely has absolutely nothing to do with you. Just let it roll off your shoulders, and keep doing your thing.

10. And….smile!!!

Giphy

Staying positive during tech week is the best way to survive it. At the end of the day, it's not that bad, and it will be 10 times better if you just smile through the pain. So, push pass the stress and negativity and put a big 'ol grin on your face. You got this.

Things I Am Actually Going To Do This Semester

Or at least try to do.

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less

new year

Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

Southwestern University

755

woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch

Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

library

Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

Michigan State University

594

Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less

Student Life

Top 20 Thoughts College Students Have During Finals

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

University of Vermont

Thanksgiving break is over and Christmas is just around the corner and that means, for most college students, one hellish thing — finals week. It's the one time of year in which the library becomes over populated and mental breakdowns are most frequent. There is no way to avoid it or a cure for the pain that it brings. All we can do is hunker down with our books, order some Dominos, and pray that it will all be over soon. Luckily, we are not alone in this suffering. To prove it, here are just a few of the many deranged thoughts that go through a college student's mind during finals week.

Keep Reading...Show less

finals

Student Life

28 Daily Thoughts of College Students

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

Kennesaw State University

1287

group of people sitting on bench near trees duting daytime

Photo by Naassom Azevedo on Unsplash

I know every college student has daily thoughts throughout their day. Whether you're walking on campus or attending class, we always have thoughts running a mile a minute through our heads. We may be wondering why we even showed up to class because we'd rather be sleeping, or when the professor announces that we have a test and you have an immediate panic attack.