8.1: Introduction
The rehearsal process will be broken into phases. In the beginning of the process you will be filled with excitement and think there is nothing that can stand in your way of success. You will then make slow and steady progress staging the show. Slowly you will encounter obstacles and hopefully overcome them. About half way through you will be proud of the work you are doing and feel that the show is coming together. Around two thirds of the way through the process the amount of obstacles will increase and you will have your ‘all is lost’ or ‘dark night of the soul’ moment where you question whether or not the show will be successful or why you even pursued a career in the arts. Do not give up at this time! Stay positive! You will come out of it. Also know that if you are feeling stressed, so is your team so give them support. Finally, you will get back on your feet and the show will be successful and you will be so elated that you will forget all the pain you had to endure along the way.
Most of the time the rehearsal process will last around 6 weeks. This can change based on each theater’s season and time constraints. I will outline the process in which your schedule will more than likely go, but in a shorter rehearsal period events will need to be accelerated.
Week 1
Introductions/ Design Presentations/ Table Read/ Team Building/ Script Work
Week 2
Script Work continued/ Blocking
Week 3
Blocking/ Stumble Throughs
Week 4
Blocking/ Stumble Throughs
Week 5
Run Throughs/ Scene Work
Week 6
Tech and Dress Rehearsals