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PD Course

Beyond the Basics: Rehearsal Strategies to Grow Your Actors

Created by Julie Hartley

16 modules 3 hours, 3 minutes 5 Credit Hours rehearsal production

The focus of the teacher-director should be not only on the quality of the show, but on the value of the experience offered to student actors. This course takes you on this journey through practical rehearsal strategies that apply an ensemble approach.

This course starts with those all important first rehearsals, explores warm ups, and looks at character development. We examine specific types of plays, like classical texts and comedy, and conclude with strategies to solve common rehearsal problems.

Go beyond the basics!

Link to the Rehearsal Toolkit

  1. 0
    Module 0
    Introduction
    10:34 FREE PREVIEW
    An overview of the course, including an outline of each module.
  2. 1
    Module 1A
    First Rehearsals
    11:56 FREE PREVIEW
    This module explores the special demands of the first few rehearsals.
  3. 1
    Module 1B
    First Rehearsals
    7:26
    This module expands on further ways a cast can explore the themes of the play in the first few rehearsals.
  4. 2
    Module 2A
    Physical Warm-Ups
    8:39
    This module looks at warm-up and focus activities for your cast, starting with physical warm-ups.
  5. 2
    Module 2B
    Vocal Warm-Ups
    12:03
    This module provides resources on vocal warm-ups for your cast that feed directly into the needs of the scene you're about to rehearse.
  6. 3
    Module 3
    Rehearsal Techniques
    20:03
    This module looks at ways to maximize the educational value of the rehearsal process, and explores a collaborative approach.
  7. 4
    Module 4A
    Character Development
    11:47
    This module looks at how to empower students by providing them with the necessary skills to develop a character.
  8. 4
    Module 4B
    Improvisation
    8:58
    This module explores the role of improv in character development; investing all cast members in the building of characters.
  9. 5
    Module 5A
    Classical Texts
    8:53
    This module looks at how to use classical texts and explores practical ways to make them accessible to students.
  10. 5
    Module 5B
    Classical Texts
    14:17
    This module deals directing with the question of language in classical texts, and activities to overcome challenges in rehearsal.
  11. 6
    Module 6A
    Comedy
    11:10
    This module covers comedies and how to mount a production.
  12. 6
    Module 6B
    Comedy
    14:40
    This module continues the exploration of comedy and working with a cast to examine the comedy in your script.
  13. 7
    Module 7A
    Practical Solutions
    10:26
    This module covers challenges and problems that often arise during the rehearsal process.
  14. 7
    Module 7B
    Practical Solutions
    13:53
    This module covers how to face challenges in rehearsal, and how to invest an entire cast in collective problem solving.
  15. 8
    Module 8A
    Final Stages of Rehearsal
    11:42
    This module focuses on the critical final stages of rehearsal from tech, dress, to opening night.
  16. 8
    Module 8B
    The Director's Role
    7:07
    This module focuses on the director's role in the final stages of rehearsal, and includes a wealth of practical activities involving the entire cast.

Standards Addressed

Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 7

Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 8

Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade HS Accomplished

Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 6

Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 8

Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade HS Proficient

Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Accomplished

Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade HS Accomplished

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 7

Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 7

Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 8

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade HS Proficient

Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade HS Proficient

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade HS Advanced

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