Yes, the time has come again: The time known to technical theatre workers and actors across Leesville Road High School as “Hell Week.”
Hell Week is a time of last-minute accomplishments, pushed buttons, random outbursts of tears and late nights working on the theatrical production.
A sign hangs on a door in the scene shop that says, “If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done around here.” Working as a technical theatre worker, or “techie,” there is little time to get so many things done. Stress inevitably ensues as opening night draws closer.
“We’re behind [schedule] and there’s no time to sleep or work,” said Joshua Vigil, senior and paint crew head. Intense responsibilities come with being a crew head, doubling the amount of stress a person is under.
Lezlie Williams, junior and sound crew head, discussed her first experience with Hell Week. “It was really hectic and crazy,” said Williams. “I didn’t really understand what was going on; my crew head did mostly everything. Now that I’m crewhead, I’m a lot more stressed out. I don’t get any sleep.”
A large group of people — approximately 20 actors and about 50 techies — being put under a lot of tension all at the same time is never a good thing. The intense stress can result in drama (not the theatrical kind) and agonizing pressure.
“The name is pretty self-explanatory,” said Madi McNair, junior and costumes crew head, about Hell Week.
Hell Week brings despair for many people, but it is a vital part in putting together a theatrical production. When the lights come up on the first scene of opening night, the satisfaction is instant. All in all, witnessing something come to life onstage is purely marvelous — and well worth a week of stress.
