Time for your first day of rehearsal!
A lot of business will be accomplished on your first day of rehearsal. Often what happens on your first day will set the tone for the entire production.
Your stage manager will go over cast rules and what is expected of you as a member of the cast.
You will meet the members of the production team, as well as your fellow cast members.
This usually culminates in a read through. A Read Through is a reading of the full script usually sitting at a table. This is sometimes called a Table Read.
During the read it is not unusual for the director to stop at various points to go over some of the artistic choices they have planned for the show. Allowing actors to get a sense of what the director will be looking for going forward.
Your stage manager will go over cast rules and what is expected of you as a member of the cast.
You will meet the members of the production team, as well as your fellow cast members.
This usually culminates in a read through. A Read Through is a reading of the full script usually sitting at a table. This is sometimes called a Table Read.
During the read it is not unusual for the director to stop at various points to go over some of the artistic choices they have planned for the show. Allowing actors to get a sense of what the director will be looking for going forward.
Rehearsal Preparation
Being prepared for rehearsal can save valuable time and set the tone for your relationship with the production team and your fellow actors. The following are important ways to be prepared that you might not have thought of.
CALL TIME: Knowing your call time is a vital part of a rehearsal and performance. Your call time is when you are supposed to be at rehearsal and ready to work. Call time is not the time you are supposed to arrive. Arriving 10 to 15 minutes before the start of rehearsal is good practice.
If you are going to be late, informing your stage manager is the way to go. The more notice you give your stage manager of lateness or absence from rehearsal the better. This allows the production team to adjust what they were planning on accomplishing.
CALL TIME: Knowing your call time is a vital part of a rehearsal and performance. Your call time is when you are supposed to be at rehearsal and ready to work. Call time is not the time you are supposed to arrive. Arriving 10 to 15 minutes before the start of rehearsal is good practice.
If you are going to be late, informing your stage manager is the way to go. The more notice you give your stage manager of lateness or absence from rehearsal the better. This allows the production team to adjust what they were planning on accomplishing.
Footwear
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Some days at rehearsal will require more physical activity than others. It is always good to dress in comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement. Supportive footwear should also be worn. Dance shoes are of course preferable, however sneakers are acceptable. To the right are examples of what NOT to wear: |
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What to bring with you.
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Having the correct items with you will help you succeed throughout the rehearsal process. Required to be with you at every rehearsal without a doubt is your script. You should also have with you a pencil to write down direction and blocking. Due to the aerobic nature of dance, you need to have water with you. Although it isn’t a requirement, a recording device to record your vocal part in the show is also a good idea. |
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Stage Direction
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Knowing where the director and choreographer wants you to go is vital. Going into your first week of rehearsal there are a lot of things you may not know. Stage direction terminology is one of them. Most important is knowing where you are going in relation to your audience. Stage direction is always given from the actor’s perspective and facing the audience. As seen in this picture. |
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The director will almost always give you direction based on a tic tac toe board approach. Asking you to move Down, Up, Center, Left, and Right. As well as several combinations of those directions. DOWN STAGE is always closest to the audience. |
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