Technical Theatre v. EMS

I like to think that I keep a level head on a scene and do the best assessment I can do. I’ve also noticed that EMTs and theatre technicians share the same of sense of humour.

Technical Theatre

In a live performance environment, you have one shot to get things right. Lives are not at stake, but there’s enough money involved that people act like there are. On a Broadway show people are paying hundreds of dollars per seat. Missing one wireless microphone pickup could cost the performance big time. I strap thousands of dollars worth of equipment to performers that are going to sweat and dance with it. Sometimes the shows I work on are broadcast live – lots of room for “oops” there. But, I don’t let it bother me. No matter how high profile, a show is just a little indoor skit. Sometimes they’re a little bigger, but when it comes down to it, you do the best you can, and it’s all you can do. You’d better be good at what you do so you can do it: fast, in the dark, under pressure, and perfectly.

EMS
In an EMS in environment, you have one shot to get things right. Lives are often not at stake, but medical care costs are enough that people act like they are. When it comes down to it, you do the best you can, and it’s all you can do. You’d better be good at what you do so you can do it: fast, in the dark, under pressure, and perfectly.

It really takes the same kind of person to do either, which is why it hasn’t been a difficult transition for me. It’s just a new skill set. So technical theatre and EMS – not so different.