Building Your Tech Week Survival Kit: The Backstage Basket
The stage lights are finally being focused, the costumes are arriving on racks, and there is a distinct hum of energy in the theater. It is the moment every performer waits for: moving from the rehearsal spaces to the stage. At DGPA, we know that Tech Week is a whirlwind—it is a lot of work and long hours, but it is also one of the most rewarding parts of the journey. It is the time when all our hard work comes together to glorify God through the story we are telling.
To help you stay focused and comfortable during these long days, we’ve put together some advice on how to build your "Tech Week Survival Kit."
The Backstage Basket
For every production, each performer is asked to bring a box, bucket, or crate to keep their belongings organized backstage. Since space is limited and we have a full cast working in close proximity, we suggest finding a container that is large enough to hold your essentials but small enough to be "kind" to the person next to you.
Essentials for Every Performer
Here are some things you’ll want to make sure you bring in your basket:
Script: It’s always a good idea to have your script through the entirety of tech week, you never know when you’ll need a quick refresher!
Show Shoes: Keep your stage shoes in your box so they are never misplaced between scenes or show days.
Charcoal Bags: Toss these into your shoes at the end of the night to keep them fresh.
Hygiene Items: Pack deodorant and breath mints. Even if you don’t wear deodorant daily yet, tech week is the time to start; everyone works hard and gets sweaty, so staying fresh is a courtesy to your castmates!
Lip Balm/Chapstick: Bright lights can make the theater notoriously dry and keeping your lips from being dry is super important.
Water: Always have extra water bottles on hand to keep your energy and voice strong.
Large T-shirt: Bring a large t-shirt to wear over your costume whenever you are eating a snack to prevent stains.
Mess-Free Snacks: Stick to nut-free, non-messy items like applesauce pouches, animal crackers, or cheese sticks.
Quiet Activities: Tech Week can involve a lot of waiting for your turn to go on stage. Bring a tech-free activity like a book, Sudoku, or a coloring book to stay occupied quietly.
Tissues: Small packs of these are a lifesaver for allergies, a quick makeup fix, or those powerful moments where the story of faith on stage truly moves your heart.
Brush/Comb: A hairbrush is always a good idea to keep things tidy between scenes.
Specific Needs
Sometimes there are more specific things you can bring depending on a specific show’s needs. For some of these things, you might also include:
Styling Tools: If you are doing your own hair, pack your curling iron, bobby pins, and hairspray.
Vocal Care: If you have a singing-heavy track, you might consider packing tea bags and honey.
Makeup: All personal makeup for the show should live in your basket.
Costume Pieces: If you are bringing specific items from home that don’t need to be hung up on a rack, keep them safe in your crate.
The Base Layer
There is one very important set of items that should not be in your basket: your underclothes. For the sake of modesty and professionalism, performers should arrive at the theater already wearing their Base Layer. This keeps things appropriate and makes quick changes backstage much easier for everyone.
Your Base Layer consists of:
Top: A white, nude, or skin-tone camisole or fitted tank top.
Bottom: Fitted biker shorts in white, black, nude, or skin-tone.
Undergarments: Appropriate, skin-tone supportive undergarments that don’t show through light-colored costumes or under bright stage lights.
Check out our blog post on the base layer here.
Backstage Etiquette
While your survival kit helps you stay physically prepared, your behavior backstage is what helps the entire cast stay mentally and spiritually focused. Tech week is a high-energy time, and how we treat our shared space and each other is part of how we perform with excellence and worship with purpose.
Respect the "Sound of Silence": Once the show begins, or even after "Quiet on Deck" calls, voices should be at a whisper or silent. Even if you aren't on stage, noise travels easily to the audience and can distract your castmates and the audience.
Eyes on the Stage, Not the Screen: We ask that you keep the backstage area a "tech-free" zone. Staying off your phone helps you stay in the world of the show and ensures you don’t miss a cue or a chance to support a fellow performer.
Support Others: Backstage should be a safe environment where everyone feels encouraged and prayed for. Whether someone nailed their high note or had a minor trip-up, be the first person to offer a smile or a quiet "great job".
Honor the Crew: The stage managers, tech crew, and costume volunteers are working just as hard as you are to glorify God through this production. When they give a direction or a "five minutes to curtain" call, respond with a polite "Thank you" and follow their lead immediately.
Keep Your Space Tidy: Kindness backstage looks like keeping your crate and costume pieces organized. A clean space prevents accidents and ensures that everyone has the room they need to take the stage with confidence.
By following these simple guidelines, you can help us create a backstage atmosphere that is just as Christ-centered as our performance on stage.
Ready for the Stage
Tech week is such a fun experience because it’s the time we truly come together as a community to bring stories of faith to life. By being prepared backstage, you can spend less time worrying about your gear and more time enjoying the process of sharing God's message with our audience.
Check out our upcoming shows, and sign up to audition!