I returned very late from a rehearsal last night; practicing for a play I am in that opens on Friday night. The preparation that goes into a stage production is more than one can possibly imagine, but the work, in the end, proves to be worth it, hopefully, by opening night. There are those that need more preparation than others (me) and there are those who come by it naturally - whose stage presence fills the space and they steal the show. When it comes to theater and/or sales, they are the lucky ones.

My rehearsal ran late because we are in the throws of "Tech Week." This is, usually, the week before a show opens and all the technical aspects of the show come together, usually in the form of a resounding "crash." Included in tech week are the additions of lights, music, props, final set pieces, costumes, makeup and hair. And as each new tech is added, the show feels less cohesive and more like a jumbled mess. I have been involved in over seventy-five productions as either an actor, costumer or director and I can tell you that it is exactly the same way for almost every show.

This is crunch time, where the pedal hits the metal, where the rubber meets the road, where magic happens. And for me, it has..., every single time. There is a legend in theater that when you have a crappy dress rehearsal, it means your opening will be great. I don't agree, nor has that always been true. I love being in the director's chair almost as much as I love being on stage. Both positions have positives, as well as negatives. But each has a great deal of preparation needed to achieve success.

What is your crunch time? Is it when you sit across a table form a client or candidate? Are you fully prepared? Is it every time you pitch your services or sit before a hiring manager deciphering the best course of action for a new requisition? Perhaps it is every time you pick up the phone. Being prepared can make or break you and your strategy.

You have heard the expression, "Practice makes Perfect." And while this is well and good, it is also short-sighted. I don't believe any one or any pitch or presentation can (nor should they be) perfect. Practice and preparation gets you through the times of imperfection. My favorite moments on stage are when someone flubs a line or an entrance and the cast and crew have to step up to prove how professional they really are and get through a scene without the audience being the wiser. The more you recover a fumble, the more likely you will be to know what leads to one and thus, avoid, deflect, and/or deliver.


© by rayannethorn