[gafftaper]

Two things.

You described quite clearly how important it is to get it right in your message. Have you explained the spot ops. It's so important that your new techs see you and the rest of your senior crew members model how serious you take your work. Often they think it's just another fun way to goof around. Show them that it's more than that. If they buy in great. If not then they can sort screws in the shop. Buy in to the idea of doing something that is bigger than you are is critical to developing good young crew people. You teach it by what you say and do.

Second, I'm all in with Sawyer with the follow spot games. You can only tell them so much they have to practice and develop their skills so anything you can do to give them time and a fun way of practicing is great. Turn the lights out and play "try to reach the follow spot operator without being seen in the spot light". Have two operators play "quick draw" you call out the name of a random person on stage and they compete to be the first to hit him. Stuff like that.