How to Create a Rehearsal Schedule Worthy of Applause!
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,
The backbone of any successful theatre production isn't just the talent on stage or the story in the script; it's the art and science of a solid rehearsal schedule. We offer tips to help all educators create an applause-worthy rehearsal schedule!!
Plus, we will inform you about last week's most crucial theatre news and stories, including How ‘Oh, Mary!’ Star Cole Escola Became the Toast of Broadway, How ‘Clue’ Became the Hottest Play for Theater Kids Across America, How Chris Hayes Went From Playwright to MSNBC Host, and more.
So, raise the curtain, shine the spotlight, and dive into another thrilling week in the theatre world. Welcome to The Scene.
How ‘Oh, Mary!’ Star Cole Escola Became the Toast of Broadway by Raymond Ang, GQ | The writer and comedian poured their own ambition into a satirical play about a frustrated Mary Todd Lincoln who dreams of the spotlight. It’s taken them further than they could have imagined. Read...
Branford Marsalis Will Arrange and Orchestrate Broadway Louis Armstrong Biomusical ‘A Wonderful World’ by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | The three-time Grammy-winning composer and saxophonist previously penned music for Broadway's ‘The Mountaintop,’ ‘Children of a Lesser God,’ and ‘Fences.’ Read...
John Gallagher Jr., Stark Sands will lead ‘Swept Away’ on Broadway by Michael Abourizk, Broadway News | Casting is finalized for the new Avett Brothers-scored musical. Read...
With ‘Water for Elephants,’ PigPen Theatre Co. reignites imagination on Broadway by Ruthie Fierberg, Broadway News | The seven-member ensemble reveals their unique process of group theatermaking, the references embedded in their “Water for Elephants” music, and more. Read...
How ‘Clue’ Became the Hottest Play for Theater Kids Across America by Carrington York, Bloomberg | The comedic murder mystery—yes, based on the movie based on the Hasbro board game—has stolen center stage in the high school market. Read...
How Chris Hayes Went From Playwright to MSNBC Host by Diep Tran, Playbill | The journalist on the importance of live events and doing theatre in high school with Lin-Manuel Miranda. Read...
When the Arts Become a Partisan Issue, We All Lose by Cristina Pla-Guzman, American Theatre | Gov. Ron DeSantis’s veto of all arts and cultural funding in Florida is a crushing blow—and an opportunity to organize. Read...
He Wants People Restarting Their Lives to See Themselves Onstage by Robin Pogrebin, The New York Times | Tarell Alvin McCraney, the artistic director of the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, is focused on bringing marginalized people to the theater. Read...
Check out the Official Trailer for August Wilson’s ‘The Piano Lesson,’ available this November on Netflix:
The Big Idea
How to Create a Rehearsal Schedule Worthy of Applause!
by Zach Dulli, The Scene
The backbone of any successful theatre production isn't just the talent on stage or the story in the script; it's the art and science of a solid rehearsal schedule. Without a well-crafted plan, your aspiring performers might end up improvising more than they should. Here’s a guide to help educational theater directors strike the right balance between structure and spontaneity to ensure that your cast and crew are ready to shine when the lights go up.
Start with the End in Mind- Before you even think about scheduling that first table read, you must know your final destination. When’s the show date? How many performances are you planning? Pencil those in first because everything will work backward from that point. Give yourself at least two weeks of buffer time before the opening night. That’s your safety net—your cushion for unexpected snow days, expected holidays, or everyone catching a cold. You aim to have the show ready for a dress rehearsal about a week before opening. This gives you ample time to iron out the kinks and make necessary last-minute adjustments.
Map Out Milestones- Treat your rehearsal schedule like a road trip. If your destination is a flawless opening night, then key milestones are your rest stops. These include dates like the first run-through, off-book day (when actors should have their lines memorized), and tech rehearsals. Create a detailed calendar that highlights these essential markers. Share it with your cast and crew early on so everyone knows what’s expected of them and by when. This transparency sets clear goals, helps build a sense of collective responsibility, and will allow students to develop a stronger sense of ownership over the production.
Divide and Conquer- Theater productions are like jigsaw puzzles; different scenes and characters fit together to create the whole picture. So, don’t be afraid to break your cast into smaller groups for targeted rehearsals. Instead of having everyone on stage every night, focus on specific scenes or character interactions. This allows you to hone in on the details and gives actors a chance to work on their parts without the pressure of the full ensemble. Plus, nothing makes a teenager happier than an unexpected night off.
Prioritize Consistency Over Length—Long rehearsals might seem like the solution to perfecting a production, but shorter, consistent rehearsals are often more productive in the high school theater world. Aim for sessions that last two to three hours. This keeps energy levels high, and minds focused. Consistent, shorter rehearsals help keep the momentum going without burning out your actors or backstage crew.
Tech Week: The Super Bowl of Rehearsals- Tech Week is where everything comes together. This is your make-or-break week, and it deserves special attention. Plan for more extended rehearsals during this time, but keep them as efficient as possible. Run through the entire play at least twice with full tech. Consider having a dedicated “cue-to-cue” rehearsal, where you jump from one technical cue to the next, ensuring flawless light changes, sound effects, and scene transitions. This might seem tedious, but the payoff is a seamless performance that wows the audience.
Keep Communication Open- Theater is a collaborative art, and communication is key to collaboration. Hold regular check-ins with your cast and crew. Get feedback on what’s working and what’s not. Are scenes flowing as they should? Are actors struggling with their lines or blocking? Create a space where they feel comfortable voicing their concerns. And remember, adjustments are part of the process. Flexibility doesn’t mean a lack of planning; it means being able to adapt your schedule to meet the needs of your production.
Foster a Positive Rehearsal Environment- No matter how tight your schedule is, the environment you create is crucial. Rehearsals should be a safe space where students can take creative risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. Celebrate the small victories along the way—a scene finally clicking into place or the stage crew nailing that challenging set change. A little praise can go a long way in building confidence and camaraderie. Remember, your role isn’t just to direct; it’s to inspire. Your enthusiasm sets the tone for the entire cast.
Plan for the Unexpected—Theater is an unpredictable beast. Props break, set pieces don’t fit, and actors get sick. Build some flexibility into your schedule to account for these inevitable hiccups. Have contingency plans, and keep a cool head when things go off-script. Your reaction sets the stage for how others will respond. A director who remains calm under pressure encourages a cast and crew to do the same.
By mastering the fine art of scheduling, you’re not just directing a play—you’re shaping an unforgettable experience for your students. The thrill of the opening night, the applause, the shared sense of achievement—it all starts with a solid plan. So, roll up your sleeves, grab that clipboard, and let the rehearsals begin.
Cate Blanchett to Return to Theater in Chekhov’s ‘The Seagull’ on London Stage by Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter | The Australian star will perform as Arkadina in a new version of Anton Chekhov's play at the Barbican Theatre in London in February. Read...
Saved by a fat suit – Sir Ian McKellen on his fall during a West End show by Julia Llewellyn Smith, SAGA | The 85-year-old actor is still recovering from his injuries and says it’s a reminder to us all to watch our step. Read...
See Who's Joining Mark Rylance and J. Smith-Cameron in West End Revival of ‘Juno and the Paycock’ by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Matthew Warchus will direct the Seán O'Casey drama. Read...
Jonathan Pryce, Michael Sheen, Alfred Enoch, and More Will Perform ‘White Rabbit Red Rabbit’ in London's West End by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Nassim Soleimanpour’s unique theatrical experience will play a limited engagement this fall at @sohoplace. Read...
Kate Baldwin will star in ‘What the Constitution Means to Me’ at George Street Playhouse by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | Laiona Michelle will direct the Tony nominee in the Heidi Schreck play. Read...
Cast Complete for Signature Theatre's ‘Primary Trust’ by Molly Higgins, Playbill | The production marks the D.C. premiere of Eboni Booth's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Read...
Robert Sean Leonard Will Join Helen Hunt and Ian Barford in ‘Betrayal’ at Chicago's Goodman by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Susan V. Booth will direct the classic Harold Pinter drama. Read...
Free Reads of the Week
Read entire plays for free! Playscripts offers a selection of full-length and one-act plays that you can access for free, which is ideal for use in theatre productions, school performances, or competitions. To explore these titles, click on the cover image below or select the "READ FOR FREE" button at the bottom of this section. This action will direct you to the play's page on the Playscripts website. Once there, click "READ NOW" to begin enjoying the play immediately!
Dystopia! The Hungry Maze Game of Divergent Death by Don Zolidis
Comedy | 40 - 45 minutes | 17 Any (17-30 actors possible: 0-30 W, 0-30 M) | Set: Minimal.
The Story: Trapped against their will in a dystopian future, a group of teens must battle against emotionally sensitive guards, limited budgets, and the trigger-happy Gamemaster to be proclaimed the winner. When the odds are this absurdly bleak, it seems certain that only the main character will make it out alive -- but first, the contestants must decide who the main character is. A bloodthirsty send-up of reality TV and young adult fiction.
