NOTES ABOUT REHEARSALS

REHEARSALS IN THE THEATRE

Once the company moves into the Theatre, all performers and technicians must SIGN IN, on a SIGN-IN SHEET, posted on the CALLBOARD.

Performers must be in the Theatre, and accounted for by Stage Management, no later than 30 minutes prior to curtain (half hour call). In some cases, dance classes, warm-up or fight rehearsals will require performers to arrive earlier than the half hour.

Production crew must be in a show – ready condition by the half hour, and must therefore be called in time to do their set-up. Heads of Department are usually called 90 minutes prior to curtain, and crew members one hour prior to curtain.

In all cases a call time will be given to the cast and crew by either the Stage Manager or Technical Director.

FOOD, DRINK, AND SMOKING

There is NO eating, drinking or smoking at any time, in the Studio Theatre, the Mainstage or any of the sound or lighting booths.

All food and drink is to be consumed in the hallways, dressing rooms or Green Room. Smoking is allowed outside the building only in locations unseen by the audience.

AT NO TIME WILL A PERFORMER SMOKE, EAT, OR DRINK ANYTHING OTHER THAN WATER, WHILE IN COSTUME.

However, the following exceptions apply to performance-related items:

• Water, in contained bottles, is allowed onstage during rehearsals;
• Coffee and small snacks are allowed at the Director’s table during cuing sessions and Q – to – Q rehearsals ONLY in School spaces. NO FOOD or DRINK is allowed in the Mainstage seating area
• Water, in paper or styrofoam cups, is allowed backstage, in the wings, during dress rehearsals and performances
• IT IS SCHOOL POLICY THAT THERE WILL BE NO OFF STAGE SMOKING BY A PERFORMER IN COSTUME AND THAT AT NO TIME WILL THE PERFORMERS OR TECHNICIANS SMOKE WHERE THEY MAY BE OBSERVED BY THE AUDIENCE.

REHEARSALS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

In addition to the line, blocking, spacing and choreography rehearsals, there are 5 other types of rehearsals the company may be required to attend:

The Cue to Cue (Q-to–Q)

This rehearsal is focused primarily on running the set change, lighting, sound, projection and wardrobe quick-change cues in order of occurrence, to work out any co-ordination and calling problems. It is run by the Stage Manager in co-operation with the Director and Technical Director, and is usually split over two days, one session for each Act. It has been called the Stage Manager’s rehearsal, but is equally important for the overall technical cohesion of the production.

All set pieces and final props are to be ready for the Q – to – Q. Costumes are not used at this time, although specialized pieces and quick-change items are included.

The term WET or DRY may be used to indicate whether Actors or Dancers are present at this rehearsal; DRY meaning Technicians only. At Ryerson, we generally schedule WET (with Actor/Dancer) Q – to – Qs, unless the Director/Choreographer requests otherwise.

The Act is run in a start – stop fashion, working through heads and tails, or beginnings and endings of scenes and transitions. The Actors or Dancers will be asked to give cue lines or movements only, for the purpose of accurate cue placement. Actors, Dancers or Production students may stop the progress of this rehearsal if they have a problem with a cue, set piece or wardrobe quick – change, or if they feel unsafe.

Q – to – Qs are, by their nature, slow and both technicians and performers should prepare to hurry up and wait.

STUMBLE

Some Directors prefer to have the Performers and crew “stumble” together, at a rehearsal that resembles a “wet Q-to-Q” but includes blocking and acting notes. This type of rehearsal is more painstaking in its attention to detail (and therefore gruelling) than a Q – to – Q and it is not uncommon for it to last several days. Consequently, Production student and Performer

tempers may flare because it is not always apparent what is being rehearsed. Provided the time and resources are available, this sort of rehearsal can prove to be the most valuable for the Director. However, not all Directors will work this way, and not all production schedules can tolerate the slow pace.

Again, Actors, Dancers or Production students may stop the progress of this rehearsal if they have a problem with a cue, set piece or wardrobe quick-change, or if they feel unsafe.

SITZPROBE

A sitzprobe is a music rehearsal that takes place during the tech week of a musical. Scheduled onstage, it is run by the Musical Director, and is usually the first time the band or orchestra meets the cast. The purpose of this rehearsal is to work through the entire score. No blocking or cuing occurs at a sitzprobe. This rehearsal is essential for the Audio Department.

TECHNICAL REHEARSAL or TECH DRESS

This rehearsal is a full run of the show, utilizing all production elements EXCEPT wardrobe and make-up. Specialized wardrobe pieces and quick-change items are included, however. Under certain circumstances, it may be decided that costumes are to be used, with the understanding that those not fully completed will be pulled for work as necessary.

The Technical Rehearsal or Tech Dress may be stopped by the Director/Choreographer, Stage Manager or Resident Staff if there are technical or calling problems.

DRESS or FINAL DRESS REHEARSAL

This is a full run of the show under performance conditions. Full technical support is provided, and costumes and make-up are used. The Dress or Final Dress Rehearsal is only stopped for emergencies, and is usually attended by the Ushering staff as audience.

There are official note sessions at the end of each of these 5 types of rehearsals for both technicians and performers.

Lighting, Sound and Projection Designers will be allowed on headset to make changes on – the – fly, as possible, up until Final Dress Rehearsal.