Techie FAQ

So exactly what are “techies”?

The word “techie” is short for ” stage technician”, and it refers to those people who work behind the scenes on a play or with a theatre company. The techies are the ones who build the set, find the props, make the costumes, set the lights, and run the sound. The only “theatrical” people who aren’t classified as techies are actors (for obvious reasons), directors (mostly involved with actors and typically clueless about tech stuff), and ushers (unskilled labor, not important enough). 

What do you want?

If a Techie Genie suddenly popped out of a bottle and granted me three wishes, I know that I (and most of the other techies I know) would ask for: * Bottomless budgets* The actors’ admittance that, without us, their plays would suck* Flexible laws of physics 

Are there any specific “rules for teching”?

One exceptionally important rule comes to mind: DON’T DIE! There are others, of course, but they vary depending on your location and they all kind of pale in comparison to the no-dying rule. 

Do techies have a specific motto or credo to follow?

Actually, we have several. Our semi-official motto: “Being a techie is harder than being an actor. You work more, you sleep less, and you get less respect. And why do we do it? We’re masochists!” Our unofficial motto: “We hold this truth to be self-evident: That all techies are created superior.” Our REALLY unofficial motto: “Actors are stupid.” 

Can you be a techie even if you’ve been an actor before?


Sure, no reason why you can’t be. As long as you can use power tools without killing yourself, we’ll take you. It doesn’t matter if you’re a guy, girl, former actor, or flying purple llama. 

What is your relationship with the actors like?

Oh, we *love* the actors. 

No, seriously.
 

Most of the time we manage to get along with the actors pretty well. Other times, however…Well, let’s just say that it would be nice if certain actors would acknowledge and appreciate the existence of the techies