I would like the input of both actors a directors on this one. Let's say for your average community theater Musical production with , say, a 10 week rehearsal schedule.... at what time frame should everybody be "off-Book" ( not using scripts for dialog and know their music ) .

A) at 4 weeks after ( 6 weeks before the show )

B) at 5 weeks after ( 5 weeks before the show )

C) at 6 weeks after ( 4 weeks before the show )

D) Other ---- please explain

As an actor, I'll take whatever I can get.  As a director, I'm content with two weeks off script.

I worked with one director (one time only) who would meticulously block every scene - and I mean meticulous.  (Two hours for a five minute scene in a coffee shop.)  The trick was: once you had blocked a scene you were expected to be off script for that scene from then on.  But this is a director who was still giving notes to the actors during intermission of the final performance.

"In REALITY however it is more like, when the actor knows the lines."

 

I would think having a serious deadline two or three weeks into rehearsal (where the actor experiences 'being on his own' - even if only for that evening) would motivate some actors to get on the ball and study lines.  Without a deadline, SOME people will be putting their script down just as they walk onto the stage, still not confident with their lines on opening night.  How good is THAT for really developing the role?

 

My best acting endeavor was when I got off book ASAP (even before any deadline) because THEN I could really work on characterisation, and mannerisms,  and ‘living the part,’ etc.  The best show I ever experienced (memorizing script) was DARK OF THE MOON, where I had the male lead.  Once I got the lines 'second nature' the interaction with people and the blocking became meaningful and natural, and I was REacting to those around me more than merely waiting to say my line.  That was especially helpful whenever someone messed up a line or got stuck.  That, and playing the Fiddler in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (NO lines!) were the only times I remember acting as being FUN.  (I’m a techie more often than not.  Acting usually BORES me and over the years I would take a role only when certain directors asked me because of that ‘shortage of men’ thing.)  I'm really not an actor, and the deadline helps prod people like me.  Real actors are usually self motivated to learn lines quickly for the reasons previously stated.

I appreciate the comments. Sometimes I post questions for which I have my own fairly firm ideas and am looking for alternate viewpoints.

   My own view is this : I believe that to "internalize and be comfortable with" a character means that one should memorize lines as soon as possible. And rehearsals, when one is "off book", becomes substantially more meaningful, constructive, and fun. For this reason I have always striven to be the first person in the production who is "off book" and I can't recall in over 10 years of doing shows when I wasn't "off book" in any more than two weeks. Usually I am essentially off book by the first rehearsal. I simply consider it the "professional" thing to do. By the way, many of the roles I've done have been "leads" where I have had the largest number of lines and music in the show. Although I have a good memory, I don't really consider it to be that much better than average. I simply put in the "homework" that I need to do.

   My philosophy is obviously not the same as some of the others that I work with in productions. I am amazed sometime at the number of people that seem to put off learning their lines and music to the last few days of rehearsal. ( or never REALLY learning all their lines and music )And , pardon me, but there is no question that the production itself suffers because of it. And many times makes what I'm trying to accomplish that much more difficult and makes the whole rehearsal process more difficult.

But I guess I can't really change peoples behavior... but I can only do what I personally feel is right.

   

      

I'm used to about 8-10 weeks for a straight show, but just out of scheduling necessity (I took two paid acting gigs on either side of it), with my producer's blessing, I recently crammed prep for "The Skin of Our Teeth" into 6 weeks.  For a straight show, it has a lot of elements -- a good-sized cast (15 or so), some effects work, major set changes, some prop work, lighting elements, elaborate costuming, a pre-produced video segment...

But that 6-week list above is precisely what I went with, as there really wasn't any way around it.  My cast was pretty shocked they were expected to be off-book in two weeks in a CT production (especially in a very talky play) but, when forced to do it, they DID, and it worked out so, so well.

I still wish I'd had 8-10 weeks to prep the show.  It's very deep and layered, and we were just getting into the meat of it, and some of the ensemble and minor character bits didn't quite get where I'd hoped, just out of time constraint, but knowing what I know now, week 3 off-book is something I think I'll keep.