In theater, the term ‘dress week’ refers to the week leading up to opening night when all of the elements of the rehearsal process come together.
The week before dress week is ‘tech week,’ which is dedicated to fine tuning the technical side of the production.
Both of these weeks often go unnoticed by those who attend the shows. Without being in the show, you don’t know how many times they ran through a scene just eight days ago to get the blocking — the term for planned movement and action on stage — down.
When leaving for the night during dress week, it’s almost guaranteed that the few cars remaining in the parking lot all belong to other members of the show.
Coming back from a relaxing weekend after tech week, actors and crew members walk in on Monday morning ready for another week of long nights in the theater.Although they are all often reminded to stay hydrated, many participants turn to coffee in order to get through the week.Although they are all often reminded to stay hydrated, many participants turn to coffee in order to get through the week.
Instead of coming at the time that dress rehearsals start running scenes, actors must report for call times to get their hair and stage makeup done.In the sound and light booth, students man spotlights, cue the sound effects, and control the stage lighting.Oftentimes, rehearsals run late into the night.After a long week, all of the hard work is poured out on stage in front of a crowd.
Avery Marks is a born and raised Oregonian, who would rather be drenched in rain than use an umbrella (with the exception of keeping books or food dry).
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