Tech Rehearsals: The Secret to a Flawless Show

A brilliant talk can fall apart if the tech doesn’t support it. Microphones crackle, slides freeze, lights blind you, live-stream audio lags—sometimes all at once.

The difference between a good speaker and a truly professional speaker isn’t just delivery. It’s how they prepare with the technical team before the audience arrives.

Tech rehearsals are your best insurance policy for success. They protect your message, reduce anxiety, and demonstrate respect for the event planner’s production team.

This guide covers what to check, test, clarify, and request—so your show feels seamless and your audience sees your best.

✅ Why Tech Rehearsals Matter

Professional rehearsal ensures:

Audio is crisp and stable
Visuals are clear and timed
Stage movement is coordinated
Online or hybrid participants don’t feel left out
Surprises (good or bad) are minimized

Preparation doesn’t guarantee perfection—but it dramatically boosts your odds.

Tech teams love speakers who respect their craft enough to plan together.

🎤 1️⃣ Microphones: Know Your Options and Preferences

Test:

Lav vs. handheld vs. headset mic
Volume and gain settings
Clothing compatibility for lav or pack
Mute switch (who controls it & when?)

Common pitfalls to avoid:

Jewelry or hair brushing the mic
Clothing ruffling over the mic
Holding handheld mic too low

Ask:

“Who should I signal if audio needs adjustment mid-talk?”

This prevents awkward troubleshooting moments.

🎥 2️⃣ Camera + Livestream Considerations (Hybrid or Virtual)

Check:

Where cameras are and how often they switch
Where to stand for best visibility
How movement affects framing
Eye-line to the main camera

If virtual attendees exist:

Confirm audio routing separate from room sound
Test delay for remote participants
Confirm screen share reliability

Plan brief audience engagement moments that include both in-person and online viewers.

🖥️ 3️⃣ Slide Deck: Compatibility and Control

Confirm:

The presenting laptop (yours or theirs)
Font substitution issues
Embedded videos or audio playback
Clicker compatibility & range
Slide timing with lights/camera angles

Always bring:

Backup on USB
PDF version (format fallback)
Offline versions of videos

Tech rehearsal verifies your visuals won’t betray you when it counts.

🔊 4️⃣ Audio Sources Beyond the Mic

If your talk includes:

Music
Video playback
Sound cues

Test volume, quality, and fade timing.
Ensure the tech crew knows exactly when each cue fires—never assume they can guess.

Provide a cue sheet with:

Slide numbers
Play/pause markers
Emergency stop signals

This creates a clean production rhythm.

🎬 5️⃣ Stage Blocking and Movement

Walk the space:

Where can you move without losing camera shots?
Where does lighting shift drastically?
Where can you walk to engage without blocking monitors?

Identify hazards:

Loose cables
Monitor height mismatches
Stage edges in low light

Tech teams appreciate speakers who protect themselves—and the equipment.

🔄 6️⃣ Timing, Transitions & Team Cues

Confirm timing:

Total length
Q&A structure
Speaker introduction timing
Graceful early wrap if needed

Clarify transitions:

How will you be introduced?
How will you exit?
Will lights or music accompany your close?

Know exactly when your moment begins and ends.

🧯 7️⃣ Contingency Scenarios

Professional speakers always ask:

“What happens if _____ fails?”

Prepare contingencies for:

Slide loss
Mic failure
Wi-Fi outage
PowerPoint freeze
Livestream drop
Laser pointer malfunction

And decide:

Who jumps in to fix issues?
Should you stop, joke, or continue?

Confidence comes from readiness.

🧩 Quick Tech Rehearsal Checklist

Category	What to Test
Audio	Mic type + volume + cues
Video	Slides, embedded media, connectors
Stage	Blocking, lighting, hazards
Livestream	Framing, audio routing, engagement
Timing	Intros, transitions, wrap-up
Backup Plans	Contingencies, hand signals

Take a photo of this list and keep it in your speaker bag.

🗣️ 8️⃣ Collaborate With the Crew Like They Are Your Production Team

Be friendly. Ask names. Thank them often.

Crew members decide in milliseconds whether to:

Adjust your mic proactively
Switch cameras at the perfect moment
Save you if something glitches

If they feel respected and appreciated, they go above and beyond.

And planners always hear about it.

🎯 Final Thought

Tech rehearsals are not an inconvenience.
They are your moment to prevent future panic.

The audience may never know how much effort went into creating a flawless show.
But they will feel the result—clarity, flow, professionalism, presence.

Flawless events don’t happen by chance.
They happen because the speaker and tech team rehearsed like professionals.

Show up early.
Show up ready.
Show up as part of the team.

Your message deserves that support.