Theater stage crew/tech people?

[WickedPissah]

Hi, I was wondering, is/was anyone involved in drama productions as a stage crew tech? I'm going to be involved with my school's next production, and this will be my first experience with stage productions. If anyone wants to share stories or advice or anything, please do. Thanks a million, chicks and dudes.

[SuperDuck]

I wasn't part of the crew, but was playing bass for a musical production when something relatively funny happened. On the night of the performance in question, pretty much all of the singers had a terrible time - they were missing cues, singing off-key, and generally stinking it up. (They were all very good at what they did; it was just an off night.)

They knew that it was going poorly, too. After taking their bows and adjourning to the dressing room offstage, they started discussing amongst themselves about how much the performance sucked and how awful everything went.

That wouldn't have been so bad except that the sound guy must have stepped out for a smoke and forgotten to turn off their wireless mics. Imagine our surprise as we played through the closing song while the cast was broadcasting their self-criticism to the audience. I was closest to the edge of the stage so the band director waved me off the stage.

The look on their faces when I burst into the dressing room to tell them that their mics were still on was pretty classic.

That's all I've got. Have fun and good luck. Make sure the mics are off when they're supposed to be.

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

I've done sound design and run sound for a lot of live theater. It was a blast, not only with the live performances but also all the cast parties. Women in theater--actresses, dancers, etc.,--are really fun to party with. And I'll put it this way, the competition for them is a lot lower than usual.

[WickedPissah]

I'm in it for a smokin' hot girl. That's why I'm doing it.

[msquared]

I did lighting, sound, and set building for my high school's theater for much of my high school years. It was a blast every time.

[tplyons]

Originally Posted by WickedPissah

I'm in it for a smokin' hot girl. That's why I'm doing it.

That's how I got involved in musical theater too.

I played pit orchestras for my high school musicals, ended up dating our lead for two years. Great times were had by all.

[WickedPissah]

Diving into an important job i know nothing about, just for the most gorgeous girl i ever saw...thats just typical me.

[JanusZarate]

I spent three years in theater - mostly as an actor, but I've had my fair share of tech work:

• Lead Actor
• Supporting Actor
• Head of Props Crew
• Set Construction Crew

Yep, I've seen and done a lot of it, both in California and in Scotland (for the Fringe - the biggest theater festival in the world). Good times.

Some advice:

• There is a low sanity/beauty ratio in theater. Expect hot but quasi-psychotic drama queens.
• Rumors spread like wildfires in high school theater cliques. Try not to get too upset about that. Embrace the rumors about you if need be - theater junkies in high school have very little to say about the truth.
• You'll be working longer hours than you think, so be prepared to lose sleep for the show.
• Be sure to make the most of those nights, too - it's not all labor and anguish. I have very fond memories of those long nights - lots to do, lots to laugh about.
• Get used to wearing all black, all the time. If you're not wearing black as you're typing your reply to me, start wearing it now.
• Be on time. Perhaps even a little early. Many a show have been saved by the techs who showed up early enough to fix the problems before the curtain was raised.
• Encourage teamwork and support your crew. The work of a good tech crew may go unappreciated, but the work of a bad tech crew will be noticed.
• Remember that the theater directors and teachers are your real bosses. It's their vision, after all.
• Lend emotional support to those who need it, and you'll make great friends.
• Tech crews are the unappreciated people of the shadows. There is no limelight backstage. But if the audience loves the show, feel free to be proud - you contributed to that, and it'll look good on your college application either way.
• DO NOT, AND I REPEAT, DO NOT UTTER THE NAME "MACBETH" IN THE THEATER. If you must refer to it, refer to it as "The Play" or come up with some other reference that doesn't use the name. Your show is doomed if someone dares to say it.

That last one is a silly superstition that too many high school theater junkies take seriously.

[AmyTheFreak]

Originally Posted by WickedPissah

I'm in it for a smokin' hot girl. That's why I'm doing it.

Isn't that why all (straight) guys are in the theatre?

I don't have many crew stories because I'm more of an onstage person. But I've got the biggest respect for the people backstage, especially the Stage Manager. SM is god (It was my highest mark last semester too ).

Just remember to have fun! Break a leg! And party hard at the cast and crew after parties!

[scrove]

Played in the pit for three years in high school. Managed to fall asleep during Fiddler on the Roof, while playing! Didn't miss a thing.

[Gumby4]

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

I spent three years in theater - mostly as an actor, but I've had my fair share of tech work:

Some advice:

• There is a low sanity/beauty ratio in theater. Expect hot but quasi-psychotic drama queens.
• Rumors spread like wildfires in high school theater cliques. Try not to get too upset about that. Embrace the rumors about you if need be - theater junkies in high school have very little to say about the truth.
• You'll be working longer hours than you think, so be prepared to lose sleep for the show.
• Be sure to make the most of those nights, too - it's not all labor and anguish. I have very fond memories of those long nights - lots to do, lots to laugh about.
• Get used to wearing all black, all the time. If you're not wearing black as you're typing your reply to me, start wearing it now.
• Be on time. Perhaps even a little early. Many a show have been saved by the techs who showed up early enough to fix the problems before the curtain was raised.
• Encourage teamwork and support your crew. The work of a good tech crew may go unappreciated, but the work of a bad tech crew will be noticed.
• Remember that the theater directors and teachers are your real bosses. It's their vision, after all.
• Lend emotional support to those who need it, and you'll make great friends.
• Tech crews are the unappreciated people of the shadows. There is no limelight backstage. But if the audience loves the show, feel free to be proud - you contributed to that, and it'll look good on your college application either way.
• DO NOT, AND I REPEAT, DO NOT UTTER THE NAME "MACBETH" IN THE THEATER. If you must refer to it, refer to it as "The Play" or come up with some other reference that doesn't use the name. Your show is doomed if someone dares to say it.

That last one is a silly superstition that too many high school theater junkies take seriously.

+100

[kevteop]

My girlfriend is head of drama at a local school, putting on Little Shop of Horrors next weekend - what do you want to know? Most of my friends work in the two theatres here too, from casual crew all the way up to production managers and every job inbetween.

[Stu L.]

After doing most every job there was for tech, I found the most fun could be had by being the extra hand for shows. I got to travel with the school, party, and do no work. That was a fun time

[WickedPissah]

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

I spent three years in theater - mostly as an actor, but I've had my fair share of tech work:

• Lead Actor
• Supporting Actor
• Head of Props Crew
• Set Construction Crew

Yep, I've seen and done a lot of it, both in California and in Scotland (for the Fringe - the biggest theater festival in the world). Good times.

Some advice:

• There is a low sanity/beauty ratio in theater. Expect hot but quasi-psychotic drama queens.
• Rumors spread like wildfires in high school theater cliques. Try not to get too upset about that. Embrace the rumors about you if need be - theater junkies in high school have very little to say about the truth.
• You'll be working longer hours than you think, so be prepared to lose sleep for the show.
• Be sure to make the most of those nights, too - it's not all labor and anguish. I have very fond memories of those long nights - lots to do, lots to laugh about.
• Get used to wearing all black, all the time. If you're not wearing black as you're typing your reply to me, start wearing it now.
• Be on time. Perhaps even a little early. Many a show have been saved by the techs who showed up early enough to fix the problems before the curtain was raised.
• Encourage teamwork and support your crew. The work of a good tech crew may go unappreciated, but the work of a bad tech crew will be noticed.
• Remember that the theater directors and teachers are your real bosses. It's their vision, after all.
• Lend emotional support to those who need it, and you'll make great friends.
• Tech crews are the unappreciated people of the shadows. There is no limelight backstage. But if the audience loves the show, feel free to be proud - you contributed to that, and it'll look good on your college application either way.
• DO NOT, AND I REPEAT, DO NOT UTTER THE NAME "MACBETH" IN THE THEATER. If you must refer to it, refer to it as "The Play" or come up with some other reference that doesn't use the name. Your show is doomed if someone dares to say it.

That last one is a silly superstition that too many high school theater junkies take seriously.

So crew/tech are the bassists of the theat(er/re)?

[JanusZarate]

Originally Posted by WickedPissah

So crew/tech are the bassists of the theat(er/re)?

One could say that.

No, you know what... it's blasphemy!

[iamlowsound]

I did a bit of stage work, mainly lights and acting. Had a few lead roles. I also wrote a play that won a few awards after it was adapted by someone else. If you are in the production crew, PAY ATTENTION and don't miss your cues. That will be noticed and hot girl will hate you over it.

lowsound

[WickedPissah]

I know a small bit because I do some studio work in TV production class so I have a grip on operating some equipment.

[WickedPissah]

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

One could say that.

No, you know what... it's blasphemy!

I see that's in jest, but i mean with the whole "providing invaluable support whilst virtually unnoticed in the background" idea that's familiar to crew and bass.

[WickedPissah]

Oh, and M*cB**h is the one they call "The Scottish Play" right?

[SpankyPants]

Dude, I loved building sets.

Power tools, paint, rigging lights and the such. And this is what i was doing instead of school work. ****in-A, man.