It seems an eternity, and you wondered if show week would
ever come around. Well, surprise. It’s finally here, and here are some tips to
get you through that final push
Because rehearsals take such a
dramatic turn (no pun intended) during show week, we’re going to deal with this important week
and what to expect, right here.
Scenes are blocked, choreography is
down and so is the music. Your director will tell you, “we’ve got a show”. Now
it’s time to put those finishing touches the week before, and get the show
audience ready.
The weekend before, it’s time to
“move into the aud.” From early afternoon on the weekend before expect complete
run through, but now with tech (the lighting and prop people will begin doing
their thing) and pit. Piano will be gone and orchestra will be in. This is why
rehearsals are so long. Details. Details.
Is the curtain closing at the right
moment in a particular scene? Are the sound effects coming through? Are leads under
lit in that all important love song? Your director will work on minor details. Again,
patience guys. You will be doing a lot of sitting in between.
Some schools bring the stage door
moms in for that final week push, wonderful parents who cook meals and bring
them to hungry actors. God love them. I can still remember Mrs. Robinson’s
awesome Mac and cheese. It hit the spot. Check to see if there will be a meal
brake, if meals will be provided or if you should pack a lunch. Sounds crazy but
weekend before show means hours at school and you need to eat. No skipping
meals. Pack a few snacks in a back pack as well-and a bottle of water.
Hydration is important.
I would also bring stuff to
do-hint- school work. Even though you’re performing for your high school,
schools rarely like to see you slack off from school work. Reading works well
too. I know it’s hard to keep you from phones and tablets. I would just suggest
if you are going to be on your phone put it on manor mode so your friend’s
texts don’t ring in while someone is on stage during dialogue. If you must use
your phone make sure that it's silent, and
if you need to make a call, go out in the hallway. Simple theater
etiquette we suggest for our audiences goes for actors too.
It’s also time to iron out any
problems you're experiencing. Can’t get from stage left to stage right in time
for your big switch? Let your director know. Need help in a quick costume change?
Again let back stage crew know so someone will be there to help. One of your
costumes not fitting right? Reach out to the costume head and get it addressed
before opening night.
This is the week that everyone who
is anyone involved with the show will be there from beginning to end. Even your
ticket ladies. So if Uncle Henry and Aunt Sally are coming in from Albany just
to see you in that all important lead, you can get tickets for them as well.
There is no set schedule for show week
and directors are going to run show week in a way that fits them best, and what
has worked for them over the years.
However, in some form or order you
will do a tech rehearsal, or full tech. You’ll do a pit rehearsal-some even
begin working with orchestra weeks before if it is a school orchestra. You will
then do full dress with makeup- some schools choosing to do one night of
costumes only and one night of costumes and makeup. Many schools open their
dress rehearsals to local senior homes or schools. This gives you a chance to
work with an audience before opening weekend, and a chance for groups that
wouldn’t ordinarily see a show a chance to enjoy.
Will you perform two weekends
in a row? Your director may schedule a run through or two in between to keep
everyone fresh and on their toes.
I am going to touch briefly on the
subject of makeup. You’re going to need to wear it, guys. Simply because of the
lighting. You will wash out under the spots and no one will see you and that
would be a shame with Uncle Henry and Aunt Sally coming all the way from
Albany.
Theater makeup has come a long way
since I was in my musicals in the late 70s.Gone are those horrendous cake
sticks and the breakouts you suffered for weeks afterward. There is actually
makeup for every skin type so if you do have allergies please let your costume
person or makeup person know so they can suggest makeup that you can buy or
have it there for you.
Your director may also choose to
“go dark” one night of show week. Usually at the beginning. So for instance,
you may have a big push on Saturday and Sunday, go dark on Monday (translation
no rehearsal) and resume on Tuesday night with full dress, tech and pit. Many
directors choose a “go dark” for one particular reason. It’s a rest time for
their actors. So, my advice to you is, take it as such.
Catch up on your sleep. With the
growing popularity of high school musicals, many schools do double weekend
performances now.If you've been this route before you also know show week can be EXHAUSTING! Extra sleep and rest can only help.
Also, please, please, please rest those voices. Keep cheering
at high school games until after the show is over. Sip a lot on warm drinks. Be
wary of too much caffeine. Eat as healthy as possible- one of the reasons the
stage moms have become popular-kids get decent meals instead of potato chips
and cold pizza.
I touched on this a bit earlier but
musicals come in the heart of cold and flu season and if you’ve ever been a
part of a group event before, you know that germs can run rampant and people in
the cast can start dropping like flies. Boosting your immune system can help- I
always dosed on extra vitamin c during show-helped me feel good and kept the
colds at bay. Wash your hands often and REST as much as you can.
