The Mindset & The Map
Introduction
Years ago, Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura watched his sous-chef drop a perfectly plated lemon tart onto the floor. Rather than toss it, Bottura saw something poetic in the chaos. He reassembled it with splatters and shards and named it “Oops! I Dropped the Lemon Tart.” That “mistake” became an iconic, best-selling dish at his restaurant.
To me, that’s tech week.
After directing over 300 productions (that’s six full years of tech weeks—yes, 10% of my life), I’ve learned that tech week isn’t the “hell week” we often make it out to be. It’s the moment when creativity, learning, and artistry collide—sometimes beautifully, sometimes a little messily.
Yes, I once built a set for The Wizard of Oz that was too large to store backstage. Yes, it was a problem. But the simpler version we built back in the 1980s—with no money and lots of heart—was just as magical. Both productions were loved by audiences. The lesson? It’s not about the budget. It’s about the mindset.
This guide is here to help you rethink tech week. To help you prepare your team, communicate clearly, avoid burnout, and embrace the magic of making it work—sometimes imperfectly.
Let’s get started.
Shifting Mindsets – Why Tech Week Should Be Your Favorite Week
I once had a teacher come up to me before tech week and say, “I hear tech week is coming. I guess your students won’t be getting much sleep.” I just smiled. Unless they had part-time jobs, they were going to be fine.
Where did this mythology around tech week being “the worst” even come from? Yes, it’s a lot. But so are sitz probes, first rehearsals, and set builds—and we don’t fear those.
I started shifting this mindset early in my programs. I’d tell my students:
“This is the week where everything starts to click. This is where we see what we’ve really built.”
The result? They started looking forward to tech week instead of dreading it. That shift matters. Positivity is contagious—just like panic.
Building Your Foundation: Prepping for a Smooth Tech Week
Enthusiasm alone won’t get the set built, costumes fit, or the lights to hold cue. Preparation makes the difference.
“Plan your final dress first and build backwards. Schedule three emergency rehearsals you can cancel if you don’t need them. Costume actors who may be harder to fit first—no one should feel like you don’t have something for them. And always, always fit with a mic pack.”
Mary Bogrette-Glaser
Theatre Teacher
Solid advice. Planning backwards helps you spot gaps and reduces panic.
They do. Share the plan. Say it out loud. Say it again. Post it everywhere.
And designate someone to keep you on schedule. A student SM or parent volunteer can be your best ally. They’ll help make sure you actually stop for dinner—or at least breathe.
Delegation & Communication — Your Two Secret Weapons
I directed As You Like It and insisted on placing every single prop myself. A parent named Susannah finally pulled me aside and said, “Do you really need to do this?” I didn’t. And I was burning myself out. Delegating isn’t giving up control—it’s multiplying your effectiveness.
“Delegation isn’t optional. I hold people to a detailed, minute-by-minute tech schedule. People thrive with clarity.”
Megan Weeks
Michigan Thespians Chapter Director
Assume nothing. Spell it out. I once forgot to tell a cast they needed black dress shoes until the day of dress rehearsal. Chaos ensued.
And no—contracts won’t save you. I never used them. Instead, I held a virtual parent/guardian meeting two weeks before tech. We answered questions, reviewed the schedule, and set expectations. We even recorded the meeting so anyone who missed it could rewatch. Did it prevent all conflicts? No. But it prevented most of them. And it gave us time to deal with grandma’s 90th birthday or Donna’s graduation (and yes, “it might be her last one”).
Empowering Your Cast and Crew
Mindset Matters (A Lesson from John)
A director I once worked with named John had a ritual I admired. Before each tech rehearsal, he’d say, “Okay, tell me something good.” Students would shout out little wins:
- “We nailed the scene change!”
- “I finally learned that quick-change track!”
That energy carried us through the week.
“Tech week is where the show finds its shape—but backstage is where it finds its soul. Pack your kit, keep your calm, and never underestimate the power of a pre-threaded needle.”
Allen Hermann
Broadway wardrobe supervisor
Celebrate the Wins—No Matter How Small
In Shrek, transforming Fiona from human to ogre mid-show was a nightmare on paper. But thanks to Jodi (my costuming genius), that quick-change became a highlight. It wasn’t just the redesigned dress—it was the backstage choreography. When it worked for the first time, the backstage joy was louder than anything the audience heard.
In A Christmas Story: The Musical, our opening number had five major set changes—house to car, to tree-lined street, to storefront, to inside the store and back. The first time it all worked, we knew we had a show.
Let Your Team Shine
Tech week isn’t about directing every detail—it’s about trusting your team and watching them take ownership. The magic happens when you step back and let their talent, hard work, and passion shine.
“Build your team and clearly communicate your vision.”
Megan Weeks
Michigan Thespians Chapter Director
Wrapping Up Part 1: Mindset, Preparation & Positivity
You’ve reframed your mindset. You’ve started the prep. You’re setting the tone.
But now the real week begins.
Coming up in Part 2:
- How to run live tech without chaos
- FOH prep that actually works
- How to protect energy while creating something incredible
- What letting go actually looks like
And at the end? A downloadable checklist that turns all of this into action.
