What do you bring to rehearsal? Well, be prepared. You don’t want to forget something you know you need or even something that might be nice to have…
So, before you head out, make sure your bag is packed with all of the essentials that you will definitely need. If you bring the “definites”, then you should be ready.
- Script
Obvious, right? Guess what? Sometimes you forget the most obvious things. It happens to everyone. Not a bad idea to check for the script before you leave the house.
- Notebook
Don’t forget a pencil and/or highlighter too. It’s a good idea to write down notes from the director, any schedule changes, steps for choreography, and even your own lines (they say you remember what you write more than what you read). Blocking will inevitably change. Your lines might change. A highlighter will help with this too.
- Flashlight
You’re sitting there. Waiting. Wishing you could rehearse your lines or check out your notes because you remembered your script and a notebook. But it’s so dark and you forgot your bleeping flashlight!
- Sweater
Theaters and rehearsal studios are known to be chilly. Just sayin’.
- Recorder
Now I mentioned earlier that people usually remember more what they write than what they read. Hearing is the same thing. During some down time, record your cue lines so that you can respond to the correct characters. Recording your own lines as you would perform them can also help with dialect, accents, intonation, etc
- Water bottle
Duh! Very important to hydrate especially if you’re involved in very intense dance routines, fight scenes, etc. Plus, water fountains are gross, and no one wants to share with you!
- Snack
Who knows how long you’ll be? Rehearsal could go through lunch or dinner. Bring something with protein and healthy fats to help keep you energized. Because like water, no one wants to share with you. You don’t want anything sugary either where you’ll crash in the middle of rehearsal. Nuts, food bars, and fruit salads are good choice for snacks.
- Towel
No one wants to perform or rehearse through a puddle of sweat on stage. No one wants to give you a sweaty hug or high five. Your cast mates will appreciate that you brought a towel.
- Shoes
The shoes make the man…or woman…or character. Don’t start rehearsing in say high heel shoes or work boots even if your character calls for them. Start out in flats or tennis shoes or any other stage shoe so that you get comfortable with the routines and staging. Once you get into the rehearsals and the costume department provides you with your character shoes or recommends what you should wear for your character should you start rehearsing in them. Once you have this info, then you can bring them to rehearsal and start “becoming” you character.
- Rehearsal Outfit “Blacks”
There’s no need to stand out at rehearsal. Save it for your character and performance. Bring rehearsal blacks or darker colors that are easy to move in. Jeans and dresses are not recommended unless the director has specifically instructed you to do so.