An Insider’s Guide to Tech Week at PYT
Although actors talk about Tech Week being stressful, it can be a vey exciting time where all of
the hard work from the weeks of rehearsal finally pay off. For those of you who have never
experienced Tech Week before, here are some tips for each daily rehearsal.
Monday: Safety Lecture, Theatre Tour, Gypsy Robe Award, and Committee Meetings
Once you enter the theatre (from the parking garage stage door entrance!) you will soon be asked
to exit to the lobby for the Gypsy Robe award. The Gypsy Robe has been a fun tradition in theatre
ever since 1950. The artistic crew (director, choreographer, vocal director) chooses one ensemble
member who has been kind, helpful, and respectful in rehearsals to receive the honor of the Gypsy
Robe. On Broadway, ensemble actors used to be called “gypsies” because they roamed around
from show to show. Whoever receives the Gypsy Robe takes home the actual robe that has been
handed down by actors who have previously received the award in past PYT productions. The
actor is responsible for adding something to the robe that reminds every one of the current show.
The actor could add a patch, or maybe an inside joke from the show. It can be anything, as long
as it has something to do with Cinderella. Sometimes the cast will even sing a song together in
the lobby before we return to the theatre; it is a really cool cast-bonding experience and an
exciting way to kick off Tech Week!
In the first Tech Week rehearsal, you get to view the amazing theatre in which we will be
performing. However, before you can explore backstage, every actor will be given the Tech Week
opening speech. All actors, and especially the new actors, should pay close attention to the rules
and regulations provided by the producers, artistic crew, and theatre employees. The rules at the
theatre are much stricter than the ones at our rehearsal space. For example, there are areas
marked with red tape that are always off-limits for safety reasons.
After the speech is over, some parents will go to committee meetings to learn about their
volunteer roles. If you are not called for rehearsal Monday night, you can wait for them in the
“house” (that is what we call the area of the theatre where the audience sits).
The optional costume theme for Monday is “classy!” If you want, you can make an effort to look
nice by wearing a dress or a nice jacket.
Tuesday: Spacing Rehearsal
Tuesday is the spacing rehearsal. When we practiced our dance routines in the rehearsal space, we
tried to anticipate the size of the real stage, but you never can tell until you get into the
theatre. Tuesday’s rehearsal is all about adjusting our dances and scenes according to the size of
the stage. There will be a lot of stopping and starting, so everyone should try their best to be
patient. The crew is trying its best to keep everything and everyone in order, and the last thing
they need is an actor who is not paying attention and missing cues.
When you are not on stage, you will be asked to wait quietly in the house. If you are not acting in
a number of scenes, this can become very boring, so I suggest you bring something to keep you
busy. You aren’t allowed to play games on your phone or computer, but if you are working on
homework, a laptop is allowed. I usually like to bring a notebook or sketchbook, so I can draw or
take notes on any new changes that take place on stage. To make sure that we are not tempted
to talk to each other when we are in the house, actors must leave at least one seat open in front,
behind, and on either side of their seat!
On this second day of Tech Week, you do not need to wear makeup or costumes, but there are
still dress code rules for the theatre. For safety reasons, you should never wear open-toed shoes in
the theatre. Trust me, from personal experience, Shibby will not let you step one foot into the
theatre in open-toed shoes! Also, you should avoid wearing all black or all white. It has something
to do with the lighting, so you can make Travis’ (our lighting designer) job easier by wearing
colors other than all black or white, and possibly even the color of your costume.
Tuesday’s theme is “double trouble!” To prepare for this theme, you should coordinate with your
double and wear the same thing to rehearsal.
Wednesday: Tech Rehearsal- Makeup, Costumes, Lights
Wednesday is the tech rehearsal. We will run through specific scenes in the show with costumes,
makeup, sets, lights, and microphones. Again, there will be a lot of stopping and starting, so
everyone will need to stay calm and be patient. This can be a difficult day for the crew, since this
is the first time running certain scenes with lights, costumes, or even on stage! There may even
come a time when the crew asks you to “Hold!” They need you to freeze in place while they work
on some technical aspect (lighting, sound, staging, etc.); just be patient and follow their directions!
Occasionally during Tech Week rehearsals, you will receive notes from the artistic crew. These
notes are important, and actors are asked to check new notes that are posted on the wall
backstage each day before rehearsal. The notes, if any, will be right next to your name where you
must sign in every day of Tech Week. These notes will update actors on any changes or direction
the artistic crew has given them. Sometimes I take a photo of these notes with my phone so that I
can review the notes before practice and when I get home.
The theme for Wednesday’s tech rehearsal is “pajamas!” Everyone is allowed to wear their PJs to
rehearsal, but don’t forget to put on your stage makeup and fix your hair before you arrive.
Thursday/ Friday: Dress Rehearsal - Hijinks/ Shenanigans
Dress rehearsal is one of the most important days of the entire rehearsal process. This is the night
where we put everything together and perform the whole show. Although there will be no
audience, you must prepare for dress rehearsal the way you prepare for a real show. During the
dress rehearsal you will receive limited to no direction since we should know how to perform the
show at this point in the process. Even if a mistake happens, we will continue without stopping,
since, “the show must go on!”
During the dress rehearsals, the fabulous Lyn Healy will take amazing photos of us while we
perform on stage (you know Lynn from getting your head shot taken!). These photos will be
showcased in the lobby during our performances and available for individual purchase. Again, be
sure to wear your full costumes along with complete hair and makeup to dress rehearsals since we
are treating this rehearsal like an actual show!
Break a Leg!
I hope you all are excited and prepared for Tech Week. It may be challenging at times, but if
everyone pays attention and works hard this week, it will be a fun and rewarding experience. Make
sure to get some rest, drink fluids and have a snack before each Tech Week rehearsal so you are
energized and ready to work when you arrive!