Our Star 12&3 students age 7-16 will soon be presenting their productions of The Wizard of Oz.  Right now we are in the thick of the rehearsals.  Here are our top 5 tips on how to keep rehearsing outside of the rehearsal room.

The build-up to a show is very exciting, it’s like creating a massive jigsaw puzzle and the sense of achievement when all the pieces fit, is wonderful. Training in the performing arts is just like any other kind of training, to perform to the best of your ability, you must put the work in, both inside and outside the rehearsal room.

But why is it a good idea to work on your material at home? How does this make you a more skilled performer? How does this make the show more enjoyable?

Here are 5 tips that will help you with your show prep, so that you can perform to the best of your ability:

(1) Bite-size chunks.

The best way to work on your script/songs/dances is to break them down into bite-sized chunks. When you are confident that you’ve learned a small section of the material, move on to the next section. This will really help you to feel confident when you’re back in the rehearsal room. It will also help you to feel confident on stage when you’re performing in front of the audience.

(2) Every little helps.       

When you’re just a few weeks away from a show, the best approach is to work on your material every day, even for a short period of time. This will give you time to process what you’re learning and to build on your performance.

(3) Teamwork.

Why not invite a friend or some friends from the cast to your house for a drama play date! You can have fun together, helping each other with your lines, songs and dances. You can use this time to develop your performance and to encourage each other.

(4) Test yourself.

If you’re rehearsing your lines, ask your parents/siblings/friends to test you on your lines. Make sure you’ve learned them correctly and practice saying them clearly. If you’re working on a song, start with the vocal track, then use the backing track, to check you know the words.

(5) Anytime is a good time to rehearse.

You can record your lines and listen to them on the way to school, or you can listen to the songs in the car and get your family singing along! Think about the time you have available each day and set aside a short amount of that time for your rehearsals. The more confident you are, the more you’ll enjoy the performance.

Have fun and be prepared!

If you know a child who would like the opportunity to perform and take part in shows please get in touch and ask about the next date for a FREE trial class.

Our Star 12&3 students age 7-16 will soon be presenting their productions of The Wizard of Oz.  Right now we are in the thick of the rehearsals.  Here are our top 10 tips for getting the most out of rehearsal process.

The casting has been announced, everyone knows which role they’re playing, the rehearsal process can really begin!

Check out these golden rules, that will help you be a star in rehearsals:

(1) Be prepared!

Read through the whole script, so you understand the story you’re working on. Read through your lines, sing through your songs and practice your dance steps. The more you prepare, the more confident you’ll be in rehearsals.

(2) Makes notes – in pencil

Bring your script and a pencil to each rehearsal. In pencil, in your script, write down any stage directions or notes you’re given. The directions may change as you work on the show, so write in pencil, not pen. When you get home, practice your material and the directions you’ve been given.

(3) Make courageous decisions       

Make choices and decisions about your character, that are brave and bold. The director/choreographer/singing coach will tell you if you’ve gone too far. Interesting character choices are fun to watch on stage and you’ll have fun playing them.

(4) Learn the language of the stage   

The director will speak in the ‘language of the stage’ during the rehearsals. They’ll ask you to move downstage centre or upstage right. Make sure you know what these directions mean. If you’re not sure, ask them and they’ll help you understand these terms.

(5) There are no small parts       

It doesn’t matter about the size of the role you’re playing or the numbers of lines you have. In each production, everyone can shine. If you approach each rehearsal with energy, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, you’ll stand out on stage and the audience will love your performance!

(6) Be a good team player

An essential part of a successful production is being a good team player. Remember to look after each other and be supportive of others. Kind words of praise and encouragement can really make a difference.       

(7) Focus and energy

There may be times in rehearsals when the director/choreographer/singing coach has their attention focused on another actor. Make sure that when it’s your turn to rehearse your scene/dance/song, that you’re ready. Make sure you’re focused and full of energy. Rehearsal time is precious and every second counts.

(8) It’s okay to make mistakes

It’s okay to make mistakes in rehearsals, that’s what they’re for. Don’t worry if you don’t achieve what you set out to achieve, the first time you do it, keep trying and keep smiling!

(9) Learn your material

Learn your material as quickly as you can, this will give you the maximum amount of time in rehearsals, to work on your material without having to think about what you do or say next. This will help you to deliver a natural and convincing performance.

(10) Have fun and enjoy the process

Decide to have fun and enjoy the rehearsal process and you will learn so much, not only from what you’re doing, but you can learn so much from others too.

If you know a child who would like the opportunity to perform and take part in shows please get in touch and ask about the next date for a FREE trial class.