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Day off before opening night?

  • 1.  Day off before opening night?

    Posted 06-23-2022 16:38
    Hello and happy summer,

    Our administrative team just sent out our meeting schedule for next year, and I'm faced with a dilemma.  I am not allowed to miss any meetings for rehearsals, cannot have evening rehearsals, can't rehearse on a long weekend, and can have just one daytime (during the school day) rehearsal.  Between meetings and Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, I'm struggling to figure out a schedule that works.

    For our November play (non-musical), I'm faced with
    Option a - a five day break followed by two rehearsals (Tuesday, Wednesday in school), then opening Thursday; or
    Option b - a four day break followed by two rehearsals (Monday in school, Tuesday), then a day off on Wednesday before opening on Thursday.

    Show week can't be moved earlier or later (holidays, start of winter sports and school musical).

    So, my question is: has anyone had a day completely off the day before opening?  Does it work?  Pros/cons?
    These are not-all-that-experienced middle school students, if that impacts your answer!  

    Any insights gratefully received!

    ------------------------------
    Kristin Hall
    Pronouns: she/her/hers
    Drama Director
    Lincoln MA
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Day off before opening night?

    Posted 06-24-2022 07:42
    Hi Kristin,

    The cons - you loose rehearsal time and sometimes you need it especially in these times when cast members get sick. You said that you are doing a non-musical and I don't know if it is a tech heavy or if the show requires special effects so that might be a concern as well. You may need that rehearsal to coordinate tech with the cast. 

    The pros - I have given the day off before opening sometimes by choice and sometimes because there is a religious holiday or bad weather the day before opening.  What is nice is that the cast is well rested - this is especially helpful with a musical when voices get strained.  One year, we had three snow days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) and opened on a Friday night.  We worked problem spots after school  on Friday and opened to a full house  with an audience excited to get out of the house after being snow bound for three days!

    I am not sure why school is closed on Wednesday, but could you do a line speed through over Zoom/Google meet to keep the lines fresh.  Also not sure of your show schedule, but if you really need that last rehearsal before opening, could you rehearse Thursday and then open Friday and do two shows on Saturday or two shows on Friday (one afterschool and an evening show)?   I have done two shows in one day on a Saturday because the football playoff game gets scheduled last minute for Friday night and there is no room in the parking lot for two school events. 

    Have faith that your middle schoolers will get themselves together (I know that is easier said than done ha, ha) and you will have a terrific show.

    Break a leg,

    Marla Blasko
    Director Long Reach High School Theatre
    Columbia, Maryland

    ------------------------------
    Marla Blasko
    Director/Teacher Theatre Arts
    Long Reach High School
    Columbia, Maryland
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Day off before opening night?

    Posted 06-24-2022 07:53
    We always have a dark day, with half dress on Monday, a run through on Tuesday, dress rehearsal on Wednesday, and opening on Friday. I did miss my two stars for three days the week before because of a rescheduled class trip, which was tough this year. I love the dark day. It gives kids and me a chance to catch up on homework and rest up for the big night.  My question, if YOU can't attend those four days off, can a parent run a rehearsal for them? Even a line through might work so they stay focused while you are in meetings. They NEED the rehearsal to not mess with their momentum building up to opening.

     This is even more crucial in covid times. This spring, I had three younger students attend rehearsals in the last two weeks and the morning after my dress one of my actors tested positive so couldn't do the show. Luckily, one of my younger students knew the blocking and gist of her scenes, having seen it several times. We handed her a script hidden in a doctor's notebook, pulled her out of study hall to run a few scenes with me, and voila, she went on and did beautifully. 

    Most administrators think theatre is like sports and you can just play or substitute a player, which is why you get weird schedules like this. You have to educate them on the needs of student actors. Good luck!



    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Day off before opening night?

    Posted 06-24-2022 08:34
    We often have a day Off before opening! Kids come rested and ready to go!

    ------------------------------
    Kendra Willeby
    John Randolph Foster High School
    TX
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Day off before opening night?

    Posted 06-24-2022 09:35
    Thanks, everyone.

    The 4 day break is due to it being a long weekend (Veterans Day).  We avoid scheduling mandatory rehearsals on long weekends, as too many families go away.  (We'll have our one weekend rehearsal the previous weekend.).  Normally we don't rehearse on the afternoon that starts the long weekend (Thursday in this case), but I'm thinking that the parents can give that much of their weekend to make it work.  So that reduces the 4 day break to 3 (with an in school rehearsal Monday).

    Monday there is a faculty meeting after school, and Wednesday there are district meetings: I am required to attend both.  So my decision is whether to hold the one "in school" rehearsal (students and director pulled from classes for the school day) on Monday or on Wednesday.  From what I'm hearing, I think I'll go for Monday in school rehearsal, Tuesday after school, and Wednesday dark.

    If we have some sort of unexpected, nightmare scenario (illness, early snow, or whatever), the principal is generally willing to be flexible and might allow us to use some school time on Thursday.  

    Some years I do have a parent that could run it, but we are still rebuilding from Covid disruptions. 

    Thanks for all the input - it really helps.  I'm feeling much more comfortable with it now!

    Happy summer,

    ------------------------------
    Kristin Hall
    Pronouns: she/her/hers
    Drama Director
    Lincoln MA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Day off before opening night?

    Posted 06-25-2022 09:43
    One other thing to throw in the hopper- during show week we switch to evening rehearsals so the final practices are just like shows would be.  That would eliminate the missed days because of your after school meetings.



    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Day off before opening night?

    Posted 06-24-2022 09:28
    Every show, the night before we open is dark night. No rehearsals that day at all. It gives the kids a chance to relax, rest up, and be ready for opening night. I have middle and high school kids and this has worked for me for years. No worries.


    --
    --

    Karen Dean

    Theatre Director

    901.496-8088 (c)

    kdean@sgis.org


    St. George's Independent School

    1880 Wolf River Blvd.

    Collierville, TN 38017


    sgis.org




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  • 8.  RE: Day off before opening night?

    Posted 06-24-2022 09:30
    Kristin,
    Is it possible to ask the students to organize a cast gathering outside of school to run lines?  We once had a "cold weather" day (Northeast Ohio...it happens) during tech week -- travel was not the issue, just temperature.  My brilliant student stage manager contacted all members of the cast and arranged for everyone to meet at a local library.  They gathered, ran lines while the SM, ASM, Lighting Op, and Sound Op quietly called cues to each other in the corner of the room.  I couldn't call a rehearsal because school was officially closed, but the students could gather without me.  It helped them to feel empowered and really gave them ownership -- it was truly "their show" at that point.  Perhaps you have a willing parent who would host a cast gathering while you attend your meetings? 2
    Best of luck,
    Kate

    ------------------------------
    Kate Bernardo
    Drama Director
    Beaumont School
    OH
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Day off before opening night?

    Posted 06-24-2022 09:31
    Every show, the night before we open is dark night. No rehearsals that day at all. It gives the kids a chance to relax, rest up, and be ready for opening night. I have middle and high school kids and this has worked for me for years. No worries.

    ------------------------------
    Karen Dean
    St. George's Independent School
    TN
    kdean@sgis.org
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Day off before opening night?

    Posted 06-24-2022 10:52
    Hello Kristin-
    What a scheduling dilemma. 
    I just wonder: do these scheduling restrictions apply equally to all school-sponsored activities, such as sports, clubs, etc.? 
    I concur with some of the thoughts that kids will rise to the occasion, and managing everyone's expectations with an open and clear discussion about the schedule can help.
    Take care and stay safe.
    Bill

    ------------------------------
    Bill Reynolds (he.him.his)
    Lecturer in Theater Safety & Health
    Yale School of Drama/Yale Repertory Theatre
    203-314-1543---cell
    Bill.reynolds@yale.edu
    Author: Safety and Health for the Stage
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Day off before opening night?

    Posted 06-24-2022 13:17
    Kids really need the momentum and push to get them into an opening night. I would do option A.


    Your bigger issue is your school. Your school sounds very inflexible and doesn't seem to want to support the arts. Do your sports teams have to follow such a schedule as well? If they don't, I would go to admin with your needs for a better rehearsal schedule.


    Break a leg and may all your theatre seats be filled.


    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Day off before opening night?

    Posted 06-27-2022 08:28

    Thanks, everyone.  

    I really like the idea of a line run on a Google meet - it could be just the boost needed!

    The school principal is as flexible as can be within the restrictions set by admin.  Admin is not flexible about meetings.  Long story, but at least it is consistent for arts and sports.  



    ------------------------------
    Kristin Hall
    Pronouns: she/her/hers
    Drama Director
    Lincoln MA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Day off before opening night?

    Posted 06-28-2022 08:12
    Reading everyone's way of working schedules has been interesting. 

    Over 40 years ago, our district approved what we call the Gold Card Matinee for the spring musical (not our fall show). Our regular performances are Thursday through Saturday nights and a Sunday matinee. The Gold Card is a 1:00 PM matinee on Wednesday, day before opening night, for Senior Citizens in our district or those that can get "Gold Cards" for free admission into district ticketed events. Traditionally, it is a half day of school for the District to clear the parking lot for the seniors. Our auditorium fits 1700 and typically the orchestra and under the balcony sections are mostly filled with about 1000 people. Depending on the licensing, we pay a reduced fee for the producing the show since no tickets are sold. However, sometimes with your licensing you can do a "minute to give it" which most of the audience actually loves as they want to give back to the kids. They get a program and our School and Engagement Department hands out free cookies and water. They then go out and "talk up" the show and they provide some of our best advertising. Many return with family and friends and purchase tickets. 

    The Company gets out of school for the day -- so we get a "dress rehearsal" during the day before Opening Night and the students are usually home before 6 PM and get the evening off; but we continue the momentum of dress rehearsals Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before opening Thursday. We also get a preview before the actual paying audiences arrive. 

    It's a beloved tradition in the district/community and the largest outreach to the community by our district. I recommend creating this tradition and way to get in a really good dress rehearsal experience. 


    Andrea Lee Roney
    North Penn High School Theatre Teacher, Producer, Director
    North Penn High Theatre Thespian Troupe 5464 Director
    1340 S. Valley Forge Road, Lansdale, PA   19446
    P: 215.853.1294

    Pennsylvania Thespian Chapter Governing Board
    Educational Thespian Association Advocacy Leadership Network PA Representative
    Pennsylvania Arts Education Leadership Coalition

    Thank you to the 4000+
    who joined us for live, live streamed,
    and recorded streamed performances
    in April and May 2022



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