Tech Week Survival Guide: Tips for Stage Managers

Tech week: The legendary gauntlet of late nights, last-minute changes, and caffeine. Here are a few tried-and-true ways to make it out the other side (relatively) unscathed:

1. Prep Your Paperwork Early
   Have all your schedules, cue sheets, and contact lists ready before tech begins. You’ll thank yourself later.

2. Prioritize Self-Care
   Eat real meals. Hydrate. Sneak in 5-minute breaks when you can. Your team follows your lead—model balance!

3. Communication is Everything
   Over-communicate changes and updates. A clear, concise email (or text) now saves chaos later.

4. Be the Calm in the Storm
   Everyone looks to you for stability. Stay positive, even if you’re faking it at 2am.

5. Celebrate Small Wins
   Finished a cue-to-cue? Survived the first dress rehearsal? Cheer for your team—morale goes a long way.

Remember, tech week is tough but temporary. Keep your cool, keep your humor, and you’ll help the entire team do their best work.