ABSTRACT
The planning, organization, and running of rehearsals are the responsibility of the director. The scheduled start of the rehearsal, the stage manager makes certain the rehearsal space has all furniture and props correctly positioned, adequate lighting and ventilation or heating, and a work space for the director. Some directors choose to start each rehearsal with a brief set of announcements; others prefer to wait until the end of the rehearsal since the actors have the greatest energy at the beginning. Many directors disagree on the merits of beginning each rehearsal with warm-up exercises. Even if production business is handled at the start of the rehearsal, actors may perceive the rehearsal is late since they did not begin actual scene work. Unless the total rehearsal period is relatively short, less than 90 minutes, the director should plan breaks for the cast to relax, get a drink, or use the restroom.
