SECTION III
Fundamental Rehearsal Techniques and Procedures
Script
1. Keep your
script with you all day and night during the rehearsal period.
2. Put your
name in your script in pencil.
Unless told otherwise, this script does not belong to you (unless you
buy the script). Do not use ink to
mark it. Write in pencil and erase
all markings when you turn it in at the end of the production period.
3. All
blocking and stage business should be marked in your script as it is given to
you. Remember, write down all
blocking and business in pencil.
Again, unless told otherwise, this script does not belong to you. Do not use ink to mark it. You will have to return this script at the
end of the production as clean as you got it at the beginning of the
production.
4. Always rehearse
with a pencil.
5. Take
thorough notes on anything told to you by the director, assistant director, or
stage manager concerning your performance.
If you have questions about your character and his/her motivations,
consult your notes BEFORE you approach the director.
Learning Lines
1. Lines and
blocking should be memorized by the date specified on the rehearsal
schedule. You are graded on this.
2. When you drop
a line on stage, simply hold your character position and characterization and
say, "Line!" in character.
The stage manager should not feed you your line until you indicate that
you need help remembering the line.
3. Being
"off book" means that you have memorized your lines and can proceed
through a scene without the help of the script. After you are off book, be sure you have read through your part
and have someone cue you through your role at least once a day.
4. ALWAYS
bring your script to rehearsal…even after you have learned your lines.
Attendance
1. Personal
appointments should be scheduled after rehearsal. Work is not an excuse for missing a rehearsal without prior
permission. Rehearsals, crew calls, and
tech rehearsals are NEVER to be missed without prior permission. Failing to comply with this procedure
will result in disciplinary action and probable dismissal from the production.
2. If an
emergency arises, call the stage manager as soon as possible. If you cannot reach the stage manager,
contact the director or assistant director.
If you cannot reach any of these people, you may leave a message on the
drama answering machine (949-586-0289).
Do not send an email as email will probably not be checked until after
the rehearsal is over.
3. The
following people are the ONLY people that may excuse you from a call: the director, the assistant director, the
vocal coach, the choreographer, the technical director, and/or the stage
manager.
4. If you are
excused from a call for any reason, go directly to the stage manager. Do not leave the premises without contacting
the stage manager directly.
Punctuality
1. All
rehearsals and crew calls begin exactly on the time indicated on the callboard.
2. A call of
"places" means that all performers and crew involved in a particular
scene must be ready to perform. They
should be "in their places."
3. It is best
to arrive at the rehearsal hall AT LEAST ten minutes prior to a call. It is mandatory that you are ready to work on
time.
On Call For Performances
1. Be at the
theatre promptly at the designated time or you will be considered
"absent" from the call.
2. There will
be a sign-in sheet on the callboard.
You must sign yourself in. No
one should sign in for you and you should not sign in for someone else.
Relationship to the Director
1. Unless you
are in a scene being worked on and have a pertinent question, never approach or
speak to the director while she is working with, listening to, or watching a
scene in progress.
2. Never walk
between the director and the playing area.
NEVER.
3. Do not
offer directorial suggestions during the rehearsal time. If you have an idea and would like to share
that idea with the director, write it down and approach the director with your
idea AFTER the rehearsal.
Relationship to Other Company Members
1. Do not
offer a suggestion, chastise, argue with, or prompt another actor under any
circumstance.
2. Never
speak to or approach another actor who is waiting for an entrance.
3. Do not talk
backstage during rehearsal and/or performance unless it is mandatory and
concerns the integrity of the production.
4. Be ready
for your entrance. This is your
responsibility during rehearsals and performances.
5. Any
suspected drinking of alcoholic beverages or using of illegal substances of any
kind on or off campus before a rehearsal or a performance will result in
disciplinary action. The company member
will be dismissed from the production and the school will take disciplinary
action.
6. No smoking
at anytime. No exceptions. Disciplinary action will be taken.
7. After
rehearsal, clean up everything on the stage and in the drama/green room…even if
it is not your mess.
Relationship with the Crew and Equipment
1. During a scene
shift, an actor should completely clear off the stage space unless he is
involved in the change or about to make an immediate entrance.
2. At the
same time, the crew must not distract the actors.
3. Never touch
a piece of lighting, sound, or stage equipment unless assigned to do so.
4. Restricted
areas include: the light booth, the
sound booth, the director's table, the director's office, costume and prop
closets, the drama council office, and the stage manager's area. At no time are you allowed to enter these
areas without permission.
Guests in the Theater
1. Only
people called on the callboard or invited by the director will be allowed to
attend rehearsals.
2. No
unauthorized people are permitted backstage.
Authorized people are those that are members of a particular production
in progress that evening or those that have obtained permission by the
director.
3. No company
member is allowed to receive guests at the theatre except after a rehearsal or
performance has ended.
4. Performers
must be out of costume before they receive guests.
5. Guests may
not be in the drama/green room before, during, or after a performance.
Rehearsal Costumes
1. If a
rehearsal costume is issued to you or you are asked to provide it, you will
be expected to wear it every time you are called for rehearsal until it is
replaced by your performance costume.
No exceptions. You may be able
to leave your rehearsal costume at the theatre. Rehearsal costume can be hung up on the costume rack.
2. Wear
appropriate clothing and shoes to rehearsal.
Your clothing should not restrict your movement.
3. Wear shoes
and clothing to rehearsal that will be similar to that which you will be
wearing in the performance.
4. Your
arrival time should include time to put on your rehearsal / performance
costume. If you need time to put a
costume on, you should arrive early so that you may start rehearsal on time.
Rehearsal Props
1. The actor
should be aware, at all times, when her/his hand is occupied with props.
2. Add your
own rehearsal props as soon as you are off book and your hands are free to use
the props. Use these props every
rehearsal until performance props are provided.
3. If you
cannot find a rehearsal prop, substitute one of your own devising rather than
going onstage during rehearsal without one.
4. Treat
rehearsal props with as much care as you would performance props.
5. Always
keep rehearsal props on the prop table or in the prop closet when not in use.
6. NEVER
TOUCH A WEAPON unless assigned to do so.
Performance Props
1. Never
touch a prop unless you are the character assigned to use that prop.
2. Always
return your props to their assigned spot in the on-stage prop closet as soon as
you leave the acting area.
3. Never sit
on stage furniture back stage. NEVER!
4. Report
broken props to the assistant stage manager and/or prop master
immediately. If you don't tell someone,
it won't get fixed.
5. NEVER
TOUCH A WEAPON unless assigned to do so.
Costume Calls
1. A call for
a costume fitting is as important and urgent as a rehearsal call. DO NOT MISS COSTUME FITTINGS.
2. Unless
your measurements are taken and fittings are held on schedule, your costume
cannot be made and/or ordered.
3. Use the
fitting to help you determine what sorts of rehearsal costumes you may need to
help you simulate your performance costume.
The costume designer may have something you may use until your
performance costume is ready.
4. Discuss
with the fitter costume items that you may need to work with…swords, pockets,
purses, handkerchiefs, etc.
Handling a Costume
These
rules exist because we care about how you look on stage and because we care
about what happens to the costumes.
1. Costumes
have no life except the life the actor gives them.
2. Find out
how your costume relates to your performance.
3. Costumes
are not the actor's play things.
Onstage, they are only to be used as your CHARACTER would use them. Off-stage, however, they are to be handled
with extreme care.
4. Skirts and
capes are to be held so that they do not touch the floor and are hoisted in the
rear so that they are not sat upon..
Trains are carried until the very moment before an entrance.
General Costume Reminders
1. Your
"look" is an important part of your costume and is not to be altered
with prior permission. Performers may
not alter their personal, everyday "look" without the prior
permission from the director or costume designer. Altering includes, but is not limited to: piercing or tattooing any part of their body
and (depending on your look at the time when you were cast), as well as the
shaving, growing, or dyeing your head and/or facial hair.
2. Please
take a shower before getting into costume.
3. Please use
soap, deoderant, and antipersprant.
4. Do not
wear perfume or scented hairspray while in your costume. (Some people are allergic to these
substances!)
5. Give
valuables to the stage manager, or preferably, leave them at home. Do not leave valuables in the dressing
areas.
6. Have
make-up on before putting your costume on.
7. If your costume
goes on over your head, ask someone on the costume crew to help you by putting
a cloth over your head to protect your make-up and costume.
8. Men,
unless you are required to grow a beard for the production, be sure you shave
before reporting for your make-up call.
9. NEVER
restyle wigs and/or hair pieces unless trained to do so. This should be done by the costume crew.
10. When you
are wearing your costume, do not eat or drink anything.
11. Be careful
where you sit; be careful what you lean on.
12. Before entering
the acting area, check yourself for any item that your character would not be
wearing (i.e. watches, jewelery, wallets, etc.).
13. Please do
not touch anyone's costume. This will
assist in preventing confusion and loss.
14. Obtain
your costume only from the crew member in charge of checking out costumes.
15. Remove
your make-up AFTER you have removed your costume.
16. You must
check your costume in EVERY NIGHT. You
will not be dismissed until you have checked out with the crew member in charge
of checking out costumes.
17. You may
only receive guests once you have removed your costume.
18. Please
return costumes neatly hung on hangers by your name tag. Be sure to include all items that may be in
use as part of your costume. Costumes
left on the floor will result in fines and detentions for the person who left
the costume.
19. Please
wait while items are checked in by the costume crew.
20. If your
costume needs repair or adjustment, tell the stage manager and costume master
AND write you needs on the costume repair sheet.
Handbook Contract 
Rules of the Theatre
Section I Section II Section III Section IV Section V
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