My kids all dabbled in a bit of theater in elementary and high school. As they got about a week out from performing for an audience, they had a series of very long rehearsals. “Tech week”, in theater, is defined as, “….the period, usually the week before opening night, when all the technical elements of a show are integrated into rehearsals for the first time. Up until this point, rehearsals have focused on lines, blocking, and character work, often without the distraction of costumes, props, lighting, or sound. Tech week is when the magic really begins, as every detail comes together to create the world of the play or musical.”[1]
As we all know (fairly intimately), the Bar Exam is next week. That makes this week, Bar Exam Tech Week. Tech week for the theater is a wonderful chaos, but the week before the bar exam should be a time where students work with what they know (absent the frazzle).
So, what should students be doing during bar tech week?
Final Dress Rehearsals: Practice Under Exam Conditions
Now’s the time to simulate full performance days:
– Do a timed MPT + MEE set in one sitting.
– Take a full-length MBE practice set (100–200 questions).
– Replicate exam start times—8:30 a.m. is earlier than many people think.
Treat these like dress rehearsals. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s learning how to perform under lighting, with pressure, in full costume. Look for stumbling points and adjust accordingly.
Tech Checks: Logistics, Locations, and Supplies
Before a performance, the crew checks mic batteries and backstage traffic. Students should check:
– Exam location and arrival time
– Transportation plans and backup routes
– What they’re allowed to bring (check the jurisdiction’s website!)
– Are the admission ticket, ID, pencils, pens, earplugs, etc. packed and ready?
– Decide lunch strategy and layered clothing (testing centers can be Arctic or tropical). There may be lunch options near your testing place-or not. Some law schools will bring food for their bar takers, but most do not. Check out all the options.
These aren't minor details—they're your lighting cues and sound checks. If something goes wrong here, it can throw off your whole performance.
Line Polishing: Light Review, Not Panic Studying
No actor rewrites the script during tech week. They tighten transitions, run trouble scenes, and focus on delivery. Students should:
– Review outlines lightly and strategically
– Prioritize trouble spots that are consistently missed
– Use active recall (e.g., quiz with flashcards or “teach” the rule aloud)
– Practice issue-spotting fast with old MEE questions
– Run through MPT formats (know your memos vs. briefs)
Tighten timing, transitions, and tone.
Body and Voice Work: Care for the Instrument
Actors don’t run themselves into the ground the night before opening. They stretch. Sleep. Eat well. Hydrate. Students should:
– Sleep 7–8 hours (a night-not over the whole week!)
– Avoid cramming late into the night
– Fuel up on nutritious, familiar foods
– Take walks, do some breathing exercises, or move your body gently
Performance anxiety is real—and expected, but this is when actors lean on muscle memory. Tell your students to have faith in the muscle memory they have developed through careful preparation up until this point!
Trust the Rehearsals
Students need to remember that they have worked hard and that this hard work will pay off. They know the law, have plans to tackle the skills assessed, and are not alone. So, this week, students need to review wisely, prepare thoughtfully, and take their places for the curtain to rise.
And for any students reading this, when I say break a leg, it is not the beginning of a torts question—although I admire the way you immediately went there.
(Liz Stillman)
[1] https://www.artshub.org/post/what-is-tech-week-in-theater-a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-head-over-heels-with-shifted-lens-theatr
