BWW Blog: Parker Hughes - An Actors Ode to Techies

I can't use a hammer. I don't know how to use a power saw. I'm not familiar with how mics work, and probably would not be able to mic myself, let alone anyone else. The most know about lighting is pulling a cord on a lamp. But that's okay, because I'm an actor. I'm a writer. I'm a dancer, and I'm a director. I'm much better at "painting the picture" than painting the set piece. However, don't think I'm neglecting tech all together. My senior year I plan to tech my first show, but for now, I'm content where I am. There's also the fact that I'm not very good at tech. I don't know what makes me bad at it, I just know that I am. But there are people out there who are brilliant techies. I mean, absolute technical geniuses. It amazes me, seeing as tech theatre has protocols and rules and directions, and yet holds so much creativity.

The tech crew is important. Without them, an actor is just a naked person standing on a dark stage trying to be heard. From the sets to the lights, to clean up and mics, faithful, hardworking techies break their backs so that the actors don't have to worry about anything but performing a show. Imagine learning all your music, lines, and choreography, then having to do your own sound! Stuff wouldn't get done, let's agree on that.

Long story short, I need tech. More of an 'us' than an 'I'.

Techies are problem solvers. Once during a show my belt was loose, so a techie used nails and drills to create a new hole so it would fit. Another time, my flashlight broke before Urinetown. A techie helped me repair it using washers ad coins. When something goes wrong, tech crew is on it immediately, even if it's not technically a tech problem. Which brings me to my next point; techies are great listeners. Actors are encouraged to experiment and work pretty independently, and while techies are some of the most creative people in the world, they have to be good at listening and following to avoid mishaps. With all the expensive equipment and tools, a member of tech crew has to know exactly what they're doing to ensure their own safety and everyone else's. So, while it may not be the most logical conclusion, techies are great listeners, and usually great friends.

They're also constantly prepared. Within their little stations in the wings is everything an actor may need. It's like Christmas morning in there. They've got plenty of cough drops and band aids, Kleenexes and scissors. Mic tape, glow tap, wire tape, whatever! It's in there! If you need it, chances are a techie will have it. And on the rare occasion they don't, they'll get it to you somehow. I'll never forget when lemon cough drops appeared in the tech cabinet after I said I couldn't eat the cherry ones. That's what's so great about techies, is how much they give. Any member of tech crew will be working hard out of passion. No actor will ever be half as dedicated as a techie is. Especially in high school, where teenagers spend hours after long days at school hunched over paint cans and scary power tools, performing manual labor for no pay. They have paint fumes up their noses and saw dust in their eyes, and still they don't stop. Techies are driven by shear passion and love for what they do, and it's one of the most admirable traits one can find in a human. I know I will never have that passion and fervor to give up my time and possibly jeopardize my safety with my only reward being self-satisfaction and barely a sliver of the spotlight. It is something to look up to and strive to have.

Most obvious is that techies are incredibly creative. What a gift it must be to read a brief description on a script, and draw from it an elaborate set. In fact, the largest obstacle when it came to writing this article was trying to find the words to explain the skillful merger between technical knowledge and artistic vision that can be found in the work of a tech crew. It's one thing to turn on (is that the term?) a full wash, but another to understand why that lighting choice is needed. Even the ensemble don't listen as intently as those on sound, who are always making music and mics fill the house with crisp, clear sound.

I need techies. We all need techies. And, I fare to suggest, we all need to borrow some habits of techies. Their hard work ethic, passion for theatre, technical knowledge, appreciation of work, and how diligently they clean. Not even kidding, techies are in the house with vacuums before the actors even convince themselves to throw away a discarded candy wrapper. It's almost embarrassing to hear the actors whine and moan about some sweeping while the techies silently get to work. That's an amazing attitude and approach I look up to and hope to adopt in life.

Thank you, techies. Thank you for giving me a set to stand on, and lights to bathe in. Thank you for making sure I'm heard, and cleaning my performance space. Please, tech crew, never feel unloved or not needed! You are a crucial part of the machine that is theatre. We love you, we need you, and we thank you for all your hard work.