Effective Rehearsal Techniques: Mastering Efficiency, Productivity, and Enjoyment
Plus, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed!
Welcome to The Scene, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed. In this week's email, we discuss effective rehearsal techniques for your next production and catch you up on the week's most important theatre news and stories.
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Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal Will Star on Broadway in ‘Othello’ by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | Kenny Leon will direct a new production of the Shakespearean tragedy. Read...
‘Days Of Wine And Roses’ Will End Broadway Run Early by Andy Lefkowitz, Broadway News | The musical’s run will be cut short four weeks ahead of its originally announced end date. Read...
Life Is a Cabaret! The Shimmering Kander and Ebb Classic Heads Back to Broadway starring Eddie Redmayne by Adrienne Miller, Vogue | As he prepares for the transfer of the smash-hit 2021 London production of ‘Cabaret’ (in which he also starred), Redmayne is reflecting on the power and durability of the John Kander and Fred Ebb masterpiece. Read...
‘Spamalot’ Revival Sets Closing Date by Andy Lefkowitz, Broadway News | The Monty Python musical will end its run at the St. James Theatre. Read...
Amber Iman on Readying ‘Lempicka’ While Advocating for Black Women on Broadway by Diep Tran, Playbill | The actor has become a muse for the new Broadway musical and for the industry at large. Read...
Live capture of Alex Edelman’s ‘Just for Us’ will be released on HBO by Michael Abourizk, Broadway News | The solo show was filmed during its run at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre. Read...
Texas High School ‘Laramie Project’ is Back On After Outcry by Molly Higgins & Meg Masseron, Playbill | After backlash from students, parents, and the theatre community at large, the Keller Independent School District has reversed its decision to cancel the play. Read...
How ‘Days of Wine’ and ‘White Chip’ Stage Alcoholism and Recovery by Gloria Oladipo, American Theatre | Two shows currently running in New York mix unique strengths with some predictable tropes about ‘rock bottom’ and recovery. Read...
‘He Was the North Star’: A Tribute to Hinton Battle by Dorothy Marcic, American Theatre | Friends and colleagues recall the irrepressible actor-dancer-choreographer’s explosive talent, teasing sense of humor, and gracious mentorship. Read...
'Big Russian-Literature Nerd': Heidi Schreck Translates ‘Uncle Vanya’ for a Modern Audience by Talaura Harms, Playbill | Lincoln Center Theater will present her version of the Chekhov classic, starring Steve Carell and Alison Pill this spring on Broadway. Read...
The Big Idea
Effective Rehearsal Techniques: Mastering Efficiency, Productivity, and Enjoyment
by Zach Dulli, The Scene
In the dynamic world of educational theatre, rehearsals are where the magic happens. They're not just about polishing performances but also about fostering a love for the art, developing skills, and building a cohesive ensemble. Here's how you can run rehearsals that are efficient, productive, enjoyable, and will keep your students fully engaged.
Plan with Precision - Start with a detailed plan for each rehearsal. This should include specific goals, scenes or musical numbers to work on, and any technical elements to address. A clear agenda communicated in advance helps students know what to expect and come prepared, maximizing the time spent on actual rehearsal rather than organization.
Warm-Up to Gear Up - Never underestimate the power of a good warm-up. It's not just about preparing voices and bodies but also about shifting students' focus from the outside world to the rehearsal space. Use a variety of warm-ups to keep things fresh, incorporating physical, vocal, and improvisational activities that align with the day's goals.
Break It Down - Tackling a scene or number in its entirety can be overwhelming. Break down larger pieces into manageable sections, focusing on specific moments or technical aspects. This approach allows for more detailed feedback and gives students a clear sense of progress.
Engage in Active Feedback - Feedback is a two-way street. Encourage students to ask questions and express their thoughts on what they're working on. This not only helps clarify intentions but also fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility towards the production. Be specific with feedback, offering actionable advice rather than general comments.
Embrace Technology - Leverage technology to enhance the rehearsal process. Recording tools can provide immediate visual and auditory feedback, and apps for script and score management can streamline access to materials. This can significantly improve efficiency and allow for more productive use of rehearsal time.
Incorporate Fun - While rehearsals are about hard work, there's always room for fun. Integrating games and team-building activities can break up the routine, relieve stress, and keep energy levels high. A cast that laughs together plays better together.
Foster a Positive Environment - A supportive and positive rehearsal environment encourages risk-taking and creativity. Celebrate successes, no matter how small, and address mistakes as learning opportunities. The aim is to build confidence and a strong team ethos among your cast and crew.
Reflect and Adjust - At the end of each rehearsal, take a few minutes for reflection. Discuss what worked well and what could be improved. This not only helps with immediate planning but also encourages students to engage in self-reflection and continuous improvement.
Communicate Clearly and Often - Keep lines of communication open with your cast and crew. Use email, social media, or rehearsal software to send reminders, updates, and words of encouragement. Clear, consistent communication keeps everyone on the same page and fosters a sense of community and shared purpose.
Remember the Why - Finally, amidst the focus on efficiency and productivity, don't lose sight of why you're all there. Remind your students (and yourself) of the joy, the challenge, and the sheer exhilaration of bringing a story to life on stage. Celebrate the journey as much as the performance itself.
Running effective rehearsals is an art in itself, one that balances discipline with creativity and structure with spontaneity. By adopting these techniques, you can ensure that your rehearsals are not only productive and efficient but also deeply rewarding and enjoyable for everyone involved.
John Lithgow to Play Roald Dahl in Royal Court Production of ‘Giant,’ a New Play About the Author’s Antisemitism by Darryn King, Broadway Buzz | ‘Giant,’ the debut play of Mark Rosenblatt, will be directed by Nicholas Hytner for London's Royal Court Theatre. Read...
‘I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire’ will have its UK premiere in London by Alex Wood, WhatsOnStage | The show will open at the Southwark Playhouse in south London this summer. Read...
Chancellor Makes Theatre Tax Relief Permanent in Budget by Georgia Luckhurst, The Stage | Jeremy Hunt has announced a permanent rate for Theatre Tax Relief after industry bosses warned that reducing the scheme would be a huge blow to the sector. Read...
Alan Cumming, Kristen Bell, More Producing ‘Reefer Madness’ Revival in L.A. by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | Celebrating the cult favorite musical's 25th anniversary, the West Coast production will include new songs. Read...
Stephen Sachs Documents an American Family Torn Apart by Jan. 6 in his new Play by Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times | Just before the premiere of his powerful new documentary play, “Fatherland,” Stephen Sachs — co-founder of the Fountain Theatre — announced he would be stepping down as artistic director. Read...
Christopher Sieber and Michelle Williams Join the Pre-Broadway Cast of ‘Death Becomes Her’ by Darryn King, Broadway Buzz | The musical—adapted from the 1992 horror-comedy film directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, and Bruce Willis—will have its world premiere at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre, opening April 30. Read...
‘Rutka’ Musical to Make World Premiere at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park by Andrew Gans, Playbill | The new indie-rock musical is adapted from ‘Rutka’s Notebook: A Voice From the Holocaust.’ Read...
The Alley Theatre to stage three world premieres in upcoming 2024-25 season by Cary Darling, Houston Chronicle | The three premieres include "The Janeiad," opening Oct. 11 and written by Anna Ziegler and directed by the Alley's Rob Melrose. It is a drama dealing with grief that was developed at the 2023 Alley All New Festival. Read...
You can read entire plays for free! Free Reads titles are perfect for your theatre, school, and competition performances. Click on the Play’s title or image to be taken to the Play’s page; once you are there, click the "READ NOW" button and enjoy!
Free Read of the Week:
Good Kids by Naomi Iizuka
The Story: Something happened to Chloe after that party last Saturday night. Something she says she can't remember. Something everybody is talking about. Set at a Midwestern high school, in a world of Facebook and Twitter, smartphones, and YouTube, Good Kids explores a casual sexual encounter gone wrong and its very public aftermath. Who's telling the truth? Whose version of the story do you believe? And what does that say about you?
Drama | 80 - 85 minutes | 8 W, 4 M | Content Notes: Adult language and content | Set: Minimal, evoking multiple locations.