What to do when waiting for a show to start

[brozeph20]

I think there might be another similar thread, but I can't seem to find it.
What do you do in that hour to thirty minute stretch between when the house opens until the show starts?

[AndyPandy]

Usually hanging around by the desks, generally making sure nothing gets lifted. If the sound op is about, then I'll go and make some tea/coffee. Then perhaps a quick check to see nothings tripped/blown without me noticing.

Perhaps assist with any last minute checking of radio mics too, depending on circumstances.

[hhslights]

When I have that much time before a show starts I always double check all my cues to make sure they were not deleted. I make sure everything is in order for the performance. Usually there is a lot of time still left to kill and if there is nothing left to do concerning the performance I like to play a good game of Euchre or any other card game for that matter. I always keep a deck of cards at my lighting desk. But only if I have nothing else to do to better the upcoming performance.

[icewolf08]

We sit around in the green room playing cards or board games or just chilling.

[Eboy87]

I'm usually kibitzing with the rest of my crew backstage, or reading a book.

[derekleffew]

I've heard there's a website, specifically for theatre technicians, that serves to occupy all of one's free time.

[soundlight]

I check cues, stay on headset to make sure nothing comes up preshow backstage electrics-wise, make sure that no one tries to use the internet on the show control computer that runs sound and sometimes MIDI (this has come so close to having very bad consequences before), and surfing the internet on my laptop which is next to the console.

[cdub260]

It depends. Sometimes I'll poke around online or watch anime in my office with a few other members of the crew. Other times I play hacky sack with the crew. Then there are those times when I'm scrambling to figure out why something isn't working before the show starts.

[WestlakeTech]

We had a pre-show meeting in the shop, backstage (save one person in the lobby). Yes, every night. And each person, at each meeting, said something he/she could improve on. (and other people said their would-be-wise Confuscious words of wisdom.) Takes a while, but...

Hey, the show's not gonna start without us, right?

[ship]

Originally Posted by WestlakeTech

We had a pre-show meeting in the shop, backstage (save one person in the lobby). Yes, every night. And each person, at each meeting, said something he/she could improve on. (and other people said their would-be-wise Confuscious words of wisdom.) Takes a while, but...

Hey, the show's not gonna start without us, right?

I note nobody mentioned just plain taking the time to read another section of a text book which might be useful in improving your career or understanding of it. Or was that implied while running the light board or under a clip light back stage during the show. Also note people that sleep, work on gear or even knit. Know of one person with a huge LCD TV screen on the lid to his road box.. suspect he and the crew tends to watch movies.