How Rehearsals Actually Work
Understanding the journey from first read-through to opening night
If your child has just been cast in a show, congratulations! But what actually happens in those weeks of rehearsals? This guide demystifies the process and helps you support your young performer through each stage.
The Rehearsal Journey
Stage 1: Read-Through and Blocking (Weeks 1-2)
What Happens
- Cast meets for the first time
- Scripts are distributed and read aloud
- Director explains their vision
- "Blocking" begins - learning where to move and when
- Lots of stopping and starting
What Your Child Might Feel
- Excitement and nervousness
- Overwhelmed by new information
- Worried about fitting in with the group
- Excited about their role (or disappointed if not what they hoped)
How to Support
- Ask "Who did you meet today?" rather than "How were your lines?"
- Help them highlight their lines in the script
- Be patient with their tiredness - there is a lot to process
- Avoid asking for a "performance" at home yet
Stage 2: Scene Work (Weeks 2-4)
What Happens
- Scenes are rehearsed in detail
- Blocking is refined
- Character work begins
- Lines start to be "off book" (memorised)
- Director gives more specific notes
What Your Child Might Feel
- Growing confidence OR increasing doubt
- Frustration with difficult scenes
- Comparison with other cast members
- Pride when they get something right
How to Support
- Help with line learning (see Line-Learning Toolkit)
- Listen to their frustrations without fixing
- Remind them everyone learns at different speeds
- Celebrate small wins
Stage 3: Run-Throughs (Weeks 4-5)
What Happens
- Full acts or whole show is run without stopping
- Timing becomes important
- Costume fittings may begin
- Choreography and songs are polished
- "Notes" sessions after runs become longer
What Your Child Might Feel
- This is often the hardest stage emotionally
- Confidence can drop as they realise how much there is to remember
- Fatigue sets in
- Some children want to quit around now
- Arguments with castmates may occur
How to Support
- Validate that this part is hard
- Maintain routines at home (sleep, food, calm time)
- Do NOT let them quit (unless genuine wellbeing concerns)
- Remind them the hard part is temporary
- Extra cuddles and patience
Stage 4: Technical Rehearsals (Week before show)
What Happens
- Move into the theatre
- Lights, sound, and set are added
- "Cue-to-cue" rehearsals (lots of waiting)
- Full dress rehearsals
- Final fixes and polish
- Often long hours
What Your Child Might Feel
- Excitement about being in the "real" space
- Overwhelm from all the new elements
- Tiredness from long rehearsals
- Pride as it all comes together
- Pre-show nerves beginning
How to Support
- Pack extra snacks and drinks
- Ensure early bedtimes
- Limit other activities this week
- Stay calm - your anxiety is contagious
- Trust the process - it always comes together!
Understanding Rehearsal Etiquette
What Directors Expect
- Arrive on time (ideally 5 minutes early)
- Come prepared with script and pencil
- Listen when notes are given
- Try not to talk when others are working
- Ask questions respectfully
- Accept direction without argument
What Your Child Should Know
- Making mistakes is normal and expected
- Other people's scenes matter too
- Backstage behaviour affects onstage performance
- The production team is not the enemy
- Being kind to castmates is not optional
Common Rehearsal Challenges
"I Want to Quit"
This often happens around weeks 3-4. Before panicking:
- Ask what specifically is wrong
- Validate their feelings
- Remind them of their commitment to the team
- Contact the director if genuinely concerned
- Usually, pushing through is the right choice
Conflict with Cast Mates
Theatre creates intense relationships. If issues arise:
- Listen without taking sides
- Encourage them to work it out themselves first
- Speak to chaperones if bullying is suspected
- Remember: they often become best friends by the end
Fatigue and Overwhelm
Signs to watch for:
- Unusual tearfulness
- Sleep disturbances
- Reluctance to go to rehearsal
- Physical symptoms (headaches, tummy aches)
Solutions:
- Ensure adequate sleep
- Maintain healthy eating
- Reduce screen time
- Create calm time before bed
- Consider reducing other commitments temporarily
Parent Rehearsal Etiquette
Do
- Drop off on time
- Collect when asked (not early, not late)
- Read all communications from the production
- Respond promptly to requests
- Support the director's decisions
- Volunteer when asked
- Stay positive in front of your child
Don't
- Watch rehearsals unless invited
- Give your child acting notes
- Complain to other parents within earshot of children
- Contact the director with casting complaints
- Post rehearsal photos without permission
- Compare your child's role to others
The Emotional Rollercoaster
Here is what to expect week by week:
| Week | Your Child's Mood | Normal Response | |------|-------------------|-----------------| | 1 | Excited, nervous | "This is amazing!" | | 2 | Engaged, learning | "I am getting this" | | 3 | Frustrated, tired | "This is hard" | | 4 | Doubting, stressed | "I cannot do this" | | 5 | Focused, determined | "I have got to make this work" | | 6 | Excited, proud | "I am ready!" |
Remember
The rehearsal process is designed to be challenging. Your child is learning discipline, teamwork, resilience, and performance skills. The difficult moments are part of the growth.
Your job is to be their soft landing place. Home should be the antidote to rehearsal stress, not an extension of it.
> "The magic of opening night only happens because of the hard work nobody sees."
Keep this guide handy throughout the rehearsal period. You will need it around week 3-4!