As opening night approaches for Sunlake High School’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the cast and crew spent long hours during tech week turning months of practice into a full stage performance. For sophomore cast member Jaciel Torres, the week began with a mix of excitement and pressure as the cast adjusted to performing the entire show on stage.
“The week started of course kinda stressful because we had to put the show into action on stage and remember all of our lines and choreography,” Torres said. “But after running it over and over I think it came along nicely together.”
While the cast has been rehearsing for months, tech week challenges performers to remember everything at once while also working with lighting, sound and scene changes. “The most challenging part of tech week was honestly trying to just memorize everything we learned these past three months,” he said.
Even with the stress of perfecting the show, the week also brought plenty of memorable and funny moments for the cast. Torres shared one story involving fellow cast members Riley Courchane, a freshman, and Grayson Nance, a junior.
“One funny moment I had was me and Riley walked up to Grayson’s car,” Torres said. “We were both just being shenanigans and Riley got into his car and locked it while I was left outside begging to be let in.”
The situation quickly became even more chaotic when it began to rain.
“Mind you it started to rain and I offered my swig and my passion fruit juice to be let in,” Torres said. “But I was scammed and left in the rain until Riley rolled the window down and unlocked the car while I was mildly soaked.”
Despite the challenges and long hours, Torres said the strong bond between the cast members has made the experience worthwhile.
“My favorite part of being in the cast is honestly the whole connection everyone has with one another,” Torres said. “It’s just one family where we can all be who we are and just have fun.”
For students experiencing tech week for the first time, Torres offered some simple advice: “Eat before you go, hydrate and do your best on stage.”
