Here’s a list of things you may miss out on in the coming months because you have rehearsal:

1. Eating Dinner at a Normal Time

What is for dinner for the next couple of months? Say goodbye to a regular eating schedule, and pack yourself an extra bag of almonds. This may be a short rehearsal, or you may not leave until it’s dark out. Good luck!

2. Going to the Mall

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Oh hey, that new Marvel movie was released this weekend, and you’re friends are going to see it right as it comes out! Too bad you can’t join — you have rehearsal.

3. Going to Concerts

Your friend just won a contest to see Idina Menzel, and the concert is on Wednesday night! Too bad there’s no way you can make it.

4. Going to Parties

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Your crush, Andy, is having a party this weekend. Of course, this is the one weekend of the month your director is having a mandatory rehearsal. See you later, Andy.

5. Going to the Gym

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Well, you might not be able to hit the gym like you used to, but you’ll be working your butt off learning that huge tap number every night for the next six weeks! Get ready for some seriously toned calves.

6. Going to See Shows

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Your school has trips to see at least one Broadway show every semester. Guess what you’ll be doing instead of snagging tickets? You guessed it. Your non-theatre friends will definitely be rubbing their tickets to “Anastasia” in your face.

7. Going Apple Picking

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It’s that time of year again, when all your friends want that perfect profile pic in a plaid shirt holding a pumpkin or bag of apples. Too bad you have to go over that fight scene again on Saturday. No apples or pumpkins for you.

8. Sleeping

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Everyone is leaving the theatre, but there are about 12 scenes that need the lighting design redone. The director told you to do it tomorrow, but the show opens in a week. Guess you’re sleeping in the theatre tonight.

Despite missing a couple parties, movies and about 40 hours of sleep, attending rehearsals is all worth it once you  make it to opening night and put on a successful show. Well done!

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What else have you missed because you had rehearsal? Let us know in the comments below…

The post 8 Things You Miss Out On When You Have Rehearsal appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

Rehearsal time during any show is crucial and often limited. Cast members, dancers, and crew work for hours on end to ensure a show is in top form before performance time. Like an episode “Grizzly Man,” the process can be grueling, and you have to be prepared for anything. While your script is the most crucial item to show up to every rehearsal with, a well-stocked rehearsal bag can be a major asset. Look to the wisdom of the boy scouts and always be prepared – lest you find yourself with a bad case of the “hangries” with four more hours of tap-dancing ahead of you.

Here are my top ten essentials to keep in your rehearsal bag…

1. Extra Shoes

Much like going to the gym, your shoes for the stage should be a pair separate from your street shoes to help keep the stage clean. Having an extra pair of dance shoes or trainers are perfect for situations involving blisters or broken shoes.    

2. Water Bottle

You’ve got to hydrate to dominate, or so I’ve been told. Not only is water essential to stop you from passing out, but it helps to keep your vocal chords in top shape by maintaining lubrication. Also, drinking water helps keep your stress levels down and improves your mental clarity for those moments when the director is barking new blocking instructions at you.  

3. A Variety of Snacks

Rehearsals can run long, and your focus levels can waver if you’re hungry. Keep a series of easy to eat snacks in your bag, like fruit, granola bars, almonds, that you can grab when your stomach starts to rumble.

4. First Aid Supplies

Fellow cast members in shows always joke that I carry a pharmacy in my bag (what can I say, it’s the teacher in me, always prepared for anything). Having basics like Band-Aids for cuts and blisters or Advil, for head or muscle aches, are always a good start. I even carry a tensor bandage, and you would not believe the number of times that has come in handy. Having simple remedy items can help to avoid rehearsal disruption.   

5. Notebook and Pencil Case

Those scripts aren’t going to mark themselves. Writing down direction or choreography notes in your script is an essential part of the rehearsal process that will help you when you are practicing by yourself. A notebook and a couple of pencils and highlighters are your friends.

6. Deodorant and Body Spray

Be kind to your fellow cast and crew mates. Especially during a dance rehearsal, things can get a bit sweaty. Keep yourself smelling fresh and your fellow thespians happy.

7. Mini Sewing Kit

Rips and tears in clothing and shoes can happen easily during a rehearsal. Needle, thread, and extra buttons are useful for avoiding embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions, or at least help to repair them if they do happen.   

8. Headphones

Downtime while you are waiting for your turn on stage is the perfect opportunity to review any songs or choreography. Find a hallway or a quiet corner where you put on your headphones and mark the choreography or sing quietly to yourself. Practice makes perfect!

9. Extra Layers

Cold muscles can result in injuries. Stay warm with layers for both on and off stage. Sweaters, socks, sweat pants and leg warmers are good go-to options. Having an extra change of clothes in case you get sweaty can be helpful as well.  

10. Wipes

Sweat and makeup are brutal for your skin. Keep your pores unclogged and your skin feeling fresh with makeup removing wipes or even baby wipes. Travel packs are the perfect size for rehearsal bags.

Have something to add to the list? Leave a comment below…

The post Top 10 Essentials For Your Rehearsal Bag appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

Most of us in the theatre world are no stranger to the #struggles of rehearsal life, so enjoy this timeline of the process (emphatically told with gifs).

The First Day

The first day of rehearsals is always filled with (in my experience) odd ice breakers, funny new vocal warm ups, and trying not to laugh too hard when you can’t get your hip isolations down just right. In general, everyone is in a new environment and has no clue what they are doing… but, it ends up being one of the best days of the process. This is because the whole group is at the beginning of their ride together, and what can go wrong with a fresh group of friendly faces?

Dance Rehearsals

We all think that we know what is going on, that we are going to be amazing and look exactly like the choreographers had planned. But in reality, it may look a little…

Blocking

All of our favorite parts, the meat of the play, the storyline…You start to go for it, because why not? The director is super hyped up and you are wondering how they can have so much energy while you are flopping through your lines and dropping props left and right.

In other words, you become super stressed and have to remind yourself that what you’re going through is your passion for a reason. Then, your co-star gets super emotional because they kept forgetting what their cue was, or a dance step, or their significant other just broke up with them and you just try to comfort them like…

Showmances…

You know, THAT couple. They get cast as significant others so much they just become significant others.

Music rehearsals

What key are we in? You want me to do what? Five part harmony for two pages whilst doing the hardest tap combo I have ever experienced in my life? WHY NOT?!? You become so exhausted of singing, so you complain about it all the time…in song.

You inevitably bring rehearsal home…

And… your roommate(s), family, significant other, neighbors or pets become increasingly ready for this show to be over with. Openly eager for the day in which they don’t see another box step, or hear you wailing “There’s No Business Like show business” ever again (or so they hope). 

Late night meals.

Rehearsals have killed your “clean and healthy eating” habits. Why are the few places open at three o’clock on Tuesday morning only interested in serving pizza? (not that you are complaining…too much).

But….

You would not exchange a single hour of rehearsal time for anything else on earth. The loving bond you form by creating art with others is one that will never break. Theatre is a wonderful, magic, festival of greatness, and no matter how stressful rehearsals can be…You know nothing beats that diva-type feeling you get during the curtain call on opening night! #lovethestruggle

Have a rehearsal story? We’d love to hear it, just leave a reply below…

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