If you have ever been a part of a rehearsal or sound check, you have most likely experienced some level of stress. Whether you are the worship leader waiting on the sound guy to finish up or you’re the technician sprinting from the stage and back, there are plenty of opportunities for frustration and miscommunication to creep in. At Saddleback, we are constantly looking for ways to bridge the gap between the platform and the booth. We protect that relationship fiercely and put in countless hours of hard work both on stage and off the stage.
Each week we evaluate our weekend services and take a close look at our processes. We celebrate the things that worked well, and we spend some time looking one another in the eye, asking the hard questions, and giving honest answers so that we can grow and improve.
Did the production team know the band’s and vocalist’s needs ahead of time?
Were the techs given adequate time to set the stage and thoroughly test equipment?
Did the platform team and production team understand what was expected of each other?
The keys to a successful rehearsal and weekend service are communication, collaboration, and preparation. Preparation is everything. As a production team, it is our job to communicate and gather as much information as we can before a rehearsal ever begins. If the worship team is providing a stage plot, we look at that document prior to the event. We want to serve our teammates, our leaders, and our church well. It is our joy! We ask questions and seek out the information we need.
Here are some items that our production team strives to tackle at each soundcheck:
- Full line check of every input and output. We make sure that everything on our end is all good. The use of Qbox or any signal tester is extremely helpful.
- Label clearly all handheld mics and IEM packs for vocalists and musicians.
- Check and double-check monitors so that participants can hear themselves. The music director creates a baseline mix and we build off of that.
- Anticipate last-minute changes. What’s the plan for the extra acoustic guitar or vocalist who gets added?
Each one of us plays a part in creating successful services and building team unity. It is a constant dance of ideas, skill, and relationships — and always putting others before yourself.
What can technicians do to bridge the gap?
Champion your whole team.
Understand the vision for the event or service.
Stay engaged throughout the whole rehearsal and service.
Maintain a posture of listening and learning.
Always come prepared to love, serve, and do work.
What can the platform team do to bridge the gap?
Know the names of your technical teams.
Develop a strategy for communicating information, and stick to it.
Show your technical teams that they are valued and loved.
Remain committed to extending grace in every situation.
Always come prepared to love, serve, and do work.
When we are looking out for the needs of others, collaborating and communicating expectations, and coming prepared to rehearsals and weekends, team unity is strengthened, love grows, and that gap between the stage and booth shrinks.
Bridging the Gap Between Stage and Booth, by Daniel Scotti, is an article from Pastors.com. © 2012 Pastors.com.
