ABSTRACT
Script breakdowns (six weeks prior to rehearsals). Among other critical tasks, directors are responsible for anticipating scenic, costume and casting needs. This eventually boils down to a series of lists that everyone in the production will depend upon. These lists include:
Cast-by-scene breakdown. This is a listing of every character involved in each scene. If you’ve got actors playing multiple roles, list what character that actor plays in each scene. The list often ends up in the form of a large grid with scene numbers and song titles along the top and actor names (with their character) along the left side. You fill each of the grid squares in with the role being played, or simply place a check mark for each scene the actor is in, if they play only one role. Scenes are quite long in many musicals – as long as an entire act. So, you’ll want to designate smaller scenes within these large units. Your costume designer, stage manager, choreographer and musical director will follow this breakdown closely and may ask to revise it for good reasons. Be sure to date all documents so everyone is working from the most current version.
