Don’t miss the printable version of this post at the end of the article! IntroductionThe first day of play rehearsal can be nerve-wracking, especially for beginning actors. But it doesn’t have to be. Just as with any new experience, preparation is the key to success. Here’s a guide on how to get yourself ready for the first day. HomeworkThere is quite a bit you can do on your own to get yourself ready for the first day. These steps will get you familiar with the play and your character. Read the PlayThe first thing to do is a straight “pleasure read.” Read the play purely for your own enjoyment, just as you would sit down and read a book. Don’t take notes, there will be lots of time for that later. Do your best to avoid focusing on your character (it’ll be very difficult). Your goal is to get a sense of how the play works as a whole. Prepare Your Script• Some actors cut up their scripts and paste each page on its own larger page like this: