Directing: Finally Starting!

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Finally Starting!

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Directing
Forum Discription: For questions about handling shows, actors, crew, board members, children ...or do we repeat ourselves?
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2533
Printed Date: 11/27/24 at 8:26am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Finally Starting!

Posted By: trutter
Subject: Finally Starting!
Date Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:03pm

Finally starting HSM in a couple of weeks... this is my first musical directing experience, too.

So.. I was wondering... what comes first?

Ok, thats vague.LOL. Im not that ill-advised.

I mean, does anybody have any suggestions for scheduling the 8 weeks? Do you start with blocking and music, and save choreography till the end? Of work on everything at the same time?

I had planned to do blocking for the first "week" and then start heavily on the music, without any blocking/choreography yet, and then put everything together the last 4 weeks.

Just curious what kind of schedule works out best for people with musicals.

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Troy A. Rutter
Author, "Kids in the Biz: A Hollywood Handbook for Parents"
http://www.kidsinthebiz.com/ - http://www.kidsinthebiz.com/
A Heinemann Drama Publication

Replies:

Posted By: Linda S
Date Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:52pm

This is what works for me. I start with the music and choreography. I usually have 1 choreography rehearsal for every 2 music rehearsals, but it depends on the show. I feel more comfortable getting the choreographphy started early. Most of the time that is the element that most community theater performers have the least training in. I really want them confident. The idea of doing music and dance first, is that when it comes time for me to block, I don't have to say, "This where you will sing." or "This where that dance will be blocked in". It just slides right into place. I do try to keep my rehearsals so there isn't any wasted time. If someone isn't busy at a music or choreography rehearsal I will grab them and block out a scene, or do some work on character.

Everyone does it differently. The truth is, if you have a a rehearsal schedule that allows enough time for everything to be covered, you will be fine no matter what order you you do things in.

Good luck.

Linda

Posted By: lessismore
Date Posted: 7/19/07 at 5:01pm

I agree with Linda S. - as long as you allow enough time for everything you will be fine. I do everything all at once. Once we have a read-through, my schedule always starts in with all aspects. I rehearse in order as well - I find that this helps the actors. As we go along I have a 'solidifying' rehearsal once a week where we go back over what we did during the week and put it all together. Sometimes scheduling can be a headache, but it seems to always work out. If you can rehearse in a space where you can run blocking, music and choreography rehearsals all at once it works well. I find that I can also keep in close contact with the musical director and the choreographer this way. It really is a matter of preference. Try what you think will work best for you, and then next time around change what you didn't like! Have fun!

Posted By: trutter
Date Posted: 7/25/07 at 2:41pm

Well this is a little irritating,

I ordered the "performance soundtrack" and the "reference recording" and it turns out the performance/backing vocals is a 2 disc set that INCLUDES the reference recording.

So, paid $50 for the reference recording rental for nothing.

And the logo pack... $50 for 3 TIFs . ick. Oh well. Live and learn. :)

So nice to get everything finally tho - can't wait to start next week!

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Troy A. Rutter
Author, "Kids in the Biz: A Hollywood Handbook for Parents"
http://www.kidsinthebiz.com/ - http://www.kidsinthebiz.com/
A Heinemann Drama Publication