It’s been a long road, and we’ve finally arrived at the final battle. After rehearsals, meetings, and workshops, our intrepid band of heroes have journeyed deep into the depths of art and face their greatest and final challenge: tech.
Tech is the name for the final series of rehearsals before previews and performances. The final process of putting everything together, it’s the introduction of production elements and a chance to iron out the kinks. Tech offers the actors a chance to interact with the set and their costumes under full lights, and with full music and sound. Every moment is worked through, sometimes for hours at a time. Designers edit and chance what they can and notate the rest. This is the only opportunity the designers, crew, and management have to rehearse the show the actors have been rehearsing for weeks. Techs are usually long days for everyone involved.
Tech at the House, though, maintains a positive atmosphere. Nate begins the day by gathering everyone in the room into a circle, just like any other rehearsal. Patience and humor are the key words of the day. The designers encouraged and asked for input of the actors for things that worked and things that didn’t, since everything is still “in process.” Once the circle broke, tech began amidst lots of laptops, lots of food, and lots of patience.
Setting aside a week to work through the entirety of the fully complete script, the party of adventurers have been meticulously crafting a pitch-perfect piece of performance.
It really is shaping up to be an extraordinary piece of theatre. Tech was the first time I had the chance to listen to composer Kevin O’Donnel’s original music combined with the fully staged product, and it is something amazing to behold. The prologue was stirring, even when done over and over again. Seeing it all come together under lights and on the final set was incredibly exciting.
The Iron Stag crew begins previews this weekend. The team will be rehearsing and teching alongside open performances. Previews are a great opportunity to gather audience feedback that can be implemented in rehearsals. It makes for some long days, but it will all be worth it when The Iron Stag King: Part One opens on September 9th!
Get excited for the kick-off of Season 11 at The House Theatre, because it’s starting with a bang.
