Pre-rehearsal, I like to have:
- A complete contact list (cast and production team)
- Complete script breakdown, consisting of a page-by-page breakdown of entrances and exits, all sound effects noted in the script, any lighting effects noted in the script, costumes required by the script
-
Props list (and rehearsal
props as close to that list as I can get) - separate to the breakdown
- Set plans
-
Blocking script clearly "flagged" - each scene and song has a Post-It flag so I can quickly skip through the script. Blank reverse sides of pages divided into two or three columns, depending on the show and whether I'm planning to have a separate calling script or not. I may also stick small copies of the set plan onto each
page.
- Sometimes, a separate calling script, particularly on a musical. If I'm on a musical, I put my
blocking into a script without the score, and then
call the show from an integrated script/score; I don't always manage to have the calling script complete before rehearsal but it's a bonus if I do.
- Depending on the director, some or all of the rehearsal schedule
- Actors' welcome packs, which consist of contact list, rehearsal schedule, show schedules, useful information about the
theatre, and useful information about the city for out-of-towners.
I have the advantage of being in a completely non-unionised country, so I don't have to worry about any union paperwork. All I require from the actors pre-rehearsal is
current contact information.
