Time is one of the biggest challenges for a theater teacher trying to put together a production. There is never enough time for rehearsals. Some rehearsals last forever, while others pass quickly in an instant. We torment our programs, trying to use every minute as efficiently as possible, just so that it comes out the window when a problem arises out of nowhere.
But we can work to use our time effectively by planning ahead, creating useful rehearsal programs, and helping students develop their own time management and accountability skills. Time management requires practice and you will get a lot of practice doing shows with your students. Here are some of our best articles on time management and scheduling:
Creating a rehearsal program
First of all, creating an effective rehearsal schedule is essential to your production. When is your show date? How many times a week do your students have to repeat? How many total hours of rehearsal will you need? Will your rehearsal schedule conflict with your current cafegymatorium reservations?
Five tips for dealing with scheduling policies and conflicts for executives
You’ve planned your rehearsal schedule. Now, let’s go deeper. How can you make the most of your time? How do you make sure your and your students’ time is not wasted? What policies do you need to establish to make sure students are rehearsing? How does your team fit into this puzzle?
The importance of off-book rehearsal
Students need a hard deadline to memorize their lines. Students are busy and it is easy to procrastinate. However, memorizing the lines is just the tip of the iceberg with acting. If students struggle to remember their words, they cannot focus on any other aspect of acting, such as characterization, subtext, physique, and movement, connecting with fellow actors, volume, and diction.
Rehearsals that you need to include in your schedule (which you may not have thought of)
Many things need to be repeated with your students, in addition to the typical list of acting, singing and dancing. This article provides suggestions for additional rehearsals that you would like to add to your schedule, such as a transitional rehearsal, a seat probe, and a costume race.
Addressing scheduling conflicts with performance and student commitments
Experienced teachers share their tips for dealing with conflicts and scheduling issues. Think of the five C’s: to be clear about your expectations, to sign students and parents commitment form, Working with other groups of students, finding creator solutions and be direct about result for missing rehearsals.
Theater time management for students
Participating in a school production not only gives students a chance to sing or work behind the scenes, but also teaches them about time management, which will be useful in their life outside of school. This article contains seven tips to help students manage their responsibilities, including school, part-time jobs, social life, and (of course) theater rehearsals and conflicts.
Self-management in the theater theater: plan, execute, reflect
This hands-on exercise helps students practice time management elements: knowing all their commitments and grading them, prioritizing their to-do list, dividing tasks into easy-to-manage pieces, executing an attack plan, and reflecting on what went well. of what could. they did better. Then they can consider how to apply this practice in their daily life.
Responsibility: at rehearsal, in class and as a citizen
Responsibility is important in every area of a student’s life. Start with the basics for rehearsals: be there, be on time, and get ready to work.
Click here for a free bonus exercise: Getting Started.
Kerry Hishon is a director, actor, writer and stage fighter from London, Ontario, Canada. She writes on the blog at www.kerryhishon.com.
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