The tech stagger is the name of a quick (sometimes not so quick)
runthrough of a
theatrical performance, in which there are only a few members of the
cast, and the
technical team runs through their
cues before they have the whole
cast on
stage for the
tech run. The tech stagger normally involves skipping from
cue to
cue, and never actually runs a sizable portion of the
production, unless there is constant
technical activity during that portion.
The tech stagger should be able to iron out most of the bigger
tech problems before the
cast gets there, but there are often a lot of things that have to wait for a full
cast on
stage (and therefore could cause problems in the
tech run, maybe turning it into a
tech stumble)
A tech stagger is also sometimes called a 'cue to cue' (normally in the US)
If you're after any other theatre tech information, then do take a look at '
Everything you ever wanted to know about theatre tech, but were afraid to ask'