11/11/2001 How to Rehearse

Rehearsing should be a happy period of time where everyone concerned is given the confidence to perform confidently, effectively and with enjoyment. This is not always the case. Please find below some suggestions to find the right balance when rehearsaling...

1. Don't give yourself big long rehearsal sessions and periods. The longer they are- the slacker you use the time at your disposal. Short, sharp and dynamic is the order of the day.

2. Arrive on time always. Nothing is worse for group dynamics than when someone rushes in trying to be punctual (and in the process gets a speeding ticket) and then someone else walks in fifteen minutes late with McDonalds in their hand saying, with a yawn, Aaawwrrr geeeeez- hi guuuuuuys. Wot's uppp?

3. On arrival avoid stating how you feel: Aaawwrrr geeeeez- I got so wrecked last night, Aaawwrrr geeeeez- I'm so tired or Aaawwrrr geeeeez- I don't feeeeeel like this- can we go easy today are useless, counter-creative statements. Avoid using the first person at rehearsal too often. These sort of self-indulgent "I" comments effect the whole tone of a rehearsal. And no one really cares.

4. Treat every rehearsal like it is your last - rehearse with gusto - damn you bet!!! - but minus the stress. On the topic of stress, leave it at the door. If, for whatever reason, you cannot rehearse because you under duress it may well be better to not rehearse.

5. Don't be a Mr Panic-Monkey or a Mr Important. Nobody really likes them. Panic just leads to a whole string of irrational mistake-making. And self-importance leads to disdain. Both lead to an unconvincing and unhappy performance.

6. Mrs Totalle Perfectioniste should also have a wary eye kept on her. It is good to strive for refinement, finesse and polish. These are things crucial to performance at any level. But Mrs Perfectioniste will sometimes push things so hard that the dangers of over-rehearsal, fatigue and boredom can rear their ugly heads. Performances with clever-timing, precision and sparkle have rarely come from the over-rehearsed and the weary.

7. Maintain a positive attitude. You can easily talk yourself out of things in Drama. There is no getting away from the fact that Confidence and Conviction with capital "C"s go a long way to improving both rehearsal times and performances. So even if you haven't got the role you wanted or things aren't going quite as smoothly as they could (they never do!) stop being a misery-guts and do something about it. Nothing comes from being negative- something comes from being positive.

8. Come prepared, but not set in your ways.

9. Take risks in rehearsals. Awesome things can evolve from a spontaneous, exploding moment. Creativity and impro are so necessary but sometimes so absent from some rehearsal rooms. Vary the structure and approach to rehearsals when you start establishing patterns. Rehearsals are not about blocking the play and pointing lights. Ask people if they are feeling creative about their input. If they say Aaawwrrr geeeeez- not really find ways to channel and challenge them.

10. If you say you're going to do something do it. Never miss rehearsals. Get a schedule out early, get everyone to sign it (contracts are common in our field!) and get to it. One person missing one rehearsal ends up meaning two get wasted as you back-track.

11. Don't leave things to the last minute. The first half of a rehearsal session/period is generally the time when all the substantial, significant developments occur. If you can - pardon the pun - get your act together early, the show will be the better for it.

12. Rehearsal time is not just confined to the rehearsal schedule. As with everything, the work you do at home can only enhance, improve and inspire others at rehearsal and during performance, onstage and backstage. So do your homework.

13. Be nice to each other. This is not just hippie crap. Mr Panic Monkey and Mr Important tend to stomp around a lot - particularly at dress rehearsals - and tread on toes rather than floorboards. This just makes everyone feel unpleasant. Nobody is more important than anyone else but everybody is important.

14. Take turns at having someone baking a cake and bringing it to rehearsal. Don't eat it when you arrive- have it at the rehearsal's interval or at the end. Theatre is like swimming, you need to give your stomach time to settle.

15. Coventry City's coach, Gordon Strachan said once I can take a bad game from a player- but I cannot take a dishonest one. Be honest. Always give an honest performance. Then you can never truly fail.

16. Criticism is easy to hear and learn from when it is given with gentle honesty. Listen for things that will help you improve and worry less about the rest. Be careful about being seduced by positive criticism and applause. Sometimes loud applause means you've shown off too much and upstaged others. There's nothing worse than becoming Mr Important because someone with no idea has told you how good you are.

17. Avoid long lists of rules.