Directing, Rehearsal, & Production

One of the biggest challenges and disappointments of the current pandemic situation is the loss of live theatre production opportunities. Shows have been cancelled and postponed and we don’t have a...

With schools being closed, social distancing, and live productions being cancelled, how do you put together an online performance? What does it look like? Read on for an overview of Lindsay Price’s...

We all know the value of a great stage manager, and it’s important to give students the opportunity to take on this vital role. However, if your student stage manager has never done the job before,...

Rehearsing for your school production is hard work. There is an abundance of decisions to be made, students to manage, and schedules to maintain. It can be overwhelming to even the most organized...

Warm-ups are vital for the rehearsal process, to get students’ bodies and minds ready to work. They should include three parts – physical, vocal, and mental. Some students will resist warming up,...

Cancelling a show is a difficult decision. There isn’t a “one answer fits all” solution – it must be handled on a case-by-case basis. As much as possible, I believe that “the show must go on.” But...

We all have grand plans when we’re directing shows. We want our students to engage with the material and rise to the challenges presented. We want our shows to look spectacular. However, in the...

Creating an effective rehearsal schedule is a crucial part of a school production’s success. There are many important rehearsals to allot time for, including this one: the off-book rehearsal. What...

This is the fifth part of a five-part class production series. Check out Part 1: What to Produce?, Part 2: Who Does What?,Part 3: Casting and Part 4: Problem-Solving. Putting on a class production...

This is the fourth part of a five-part class production series. Check out Part 1: What to Produce?, Part 2: Who Does What?, and Part 3: Casting. By this point your students are in the thick of the...

This is the third part of a five part class production series. Check out Part 1: What to Produce? and Part 2: Who Does What?. Things are moving along well with your class production. You’ve decided...

This is the second part of a five-part class production series. Check out Part 1: What to Produce?. So you’ve decided to put on a class production and you’ve chosen your play. Now you need people...

This is Part 1 of a 5-Part Class Production Series. Putting on a class production is a great opportunity for your students to use the skills they have learned in drama class in a practical way,...

Mention “smartphones” or “cell phones” in front of drama teachers and most will immediately grimace or roll their eyes. Phones can be the bane of any teacher’s existence – it seems like students...

Here’s a warm-up game you can try at your next rehearsal: Switching Roles. Students will use an improv game to take on a different part in the play you’re currently working on. It’s a simple enough...

Directing a show can be a challenge. Directing your very first show can seem overwhelming. So we asked drama teachers: What are your top tips for someone directing their first show? Material...

It’s a common occurrence when rehearsing a production that the cast and crew will eventually practice running the whole show from the beginning to the end. This way, students will see how all the...

Have you ever stopped to consider your expectations of drama class compared to your expectations during show rehearsals? It’s interesting and useful to compare the two. Do you notice yourself being...