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This will be an ongoing insight of what it is like as a technician at the Edinburgh Fringe. From our first week to our last, these will be an inside look at what happens behind the scenes that most people don’t get even a glimpse of. This is the fourth week of the EdFringe.
This time period during the Fringe is what most techies would call the ‘graceful time’ or ‘smooth waters’. This particular time is easier as by now all of the shows that are currently running should have had tech and rehearsals as well as several shows already under their belt by the time that you reach this week. Or at least, it’s supposed to be easier. By this point in the Fringe, you also have technicians who have been here a while and are already feeling like they need a day (or multiple days) off to rest and recuperate. If your venue is fully staffed, this shouldn’t be an issue as you should have a working schedule that accommodates everyone fairly. However, this is lately not the case due to the rising issues coming to light about this industry so almost no venue has full staff. This leaves everyone with few options about what can be done about scheduling. Some popular options for schedules during the Fringe are:
Some venues are also busier than others. For example, by this grace period in the Fringe, some shows are already wrapping up and leaving. This is typical if a show is slightly smaller and tours more often so as not to stay in one place too long. This is also due to the rising costs of coming to the Fringe as a visiting company and putting on a show. Nonetheless, this means that technicians are able to get a few extra moments to catch their breath during the festival until the show to replace it comes in (which is next week).
Picture by AssemblyFest
It is also during these smooth waters that you want to put out any possible continuing issues before they become massive issues in the last few weeks. During this week, you have a schedule to keep of what shows still need some assistance with making things go well so you’re literally juggling trying to be in multiple places at once while keeping yourself available for any issues that may occur that day. Some common issues that are constantly seen during the run of the Fringe are:
The fourth week of the Fringe can be an easier period, but this means this is also the best time to prep as much as you can for the incoming replacement shows that start their techs/rehearsals/first shows on Monday. And the cycle continues.
Janine has always been a part of music and performing. The first show that inspired her to go into theatre was the Velveteen Rabbit which she saw as a child, and Drew works to keep that magic alive in her work. When Drew was accepted into an internship program for audio engineering at a recording studio, she jumped at the opportunity. That was at the start of 2020, and so much has happened since then, both in her career and in the world. Since then, Drew has taken several opportunities to work at recording studios, concerts, festivals, and even large theatres while spending some time on tour. Drew's favorite by far though, has been the chance to work on Broadways and West End shows, as this was a dream come true. Drew is honoured to get to share these experiences from being inside the entertainment industry.
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