Theatre is often described as a living art form — one that exists in the fleeting moments of each performance. But before the lights rise and the audience takes their seats, there is the rehearsal process: the creative laboratory where imagination, discipline, and collaboration transform words on a page into a living, breathing work of art.
The rehearsal room is where the real work of theatre happens. It is a space of exploration, risk, discovery, and sometimes frustration — a place where actors, directors, and stage managers come together to build trust and shape meaning. Each participant experiences this process differently, yet all are bound by a common purpose: to tell a story truthfully and compellingly.
My name’s Peter Fernandez, and in this article, I’ll be exploring the rehearsal process through the eyes of the Actor, the Director, and the Stage Manager, examining the methods, challenges, and joys of building a theatrical production from the ground up.
The Purpose of Rehearsal
Rehearsal is where artistic vision meets embodiment. It is the process of discovery, experimentation, and refinement that allows a creative team to bring a theatrical production to life.
For the Director, rehearsal is the opportunity to test ideas, shape the pacing, and unify performances into a cohesive whole. For the Actor, it’s a journey of understanding and inhabiting a character — finding emotional truth within structure. And the presence of the Stage Manager is about organisation and communication: ensuring that the process runs smoothly and safely, and that every cue, prop, and costume is accounted for.
Depending on space and availability, other members of the team — such as the Sound and/or Lighting Designer — may also join a rehearsal, but this doesn’t usually happen until closer to Tech Week (see below for more details).
A well-run rehearsal period lays the foundation for a successful production. It builds confidence, nurtures ensemble spirit, and establishes the rhythm of collaboration that will carry through to opening night.
Why Rehearsal Matters
Rehearsal is far more than preparation — it is the essence of theatre-making: it’s where strangers become collaborators, where scripts become worlds, and where ideas take physical form to tell the story. Rehearsing a play is as much emotional as it is technical. The process naturally moves through stages of excitement, frustration, breakthrough, and cohesion.
Early rehearsals are filled with anticipation and curiosity. Midway through, fatigue and self-doubt can creep in as repetition takes its toll and creative challenges emerge. But eventually, as the ensemble gels and the show begins to “click,” energy surges again.
Understanding this rhythm helps all participants stay patient and compassionate — with themselves and others. The rehearsal process mirrors the very nature of theatre: transformation through persistence and dedication.
From the director’s vision to the actor’s craft to the stage manager’s quiet orchestration, rehearsal embodies the spirit of theatre: cooperation, imagination, and discipline. When done well, a rehearsal becomes a joyful process of creation — one in which everyone feels seen, valued, and inspired.
“Audiences see the finished product. But for us, the true magic happened weeks earlier — in the rehearsal room, when the show was still just a heartbeat taking shape.”
Creating a Comfortable and Productive Rehearsal Environment
The rehearsal room — the place in which the production is rehearsed — is both a workplace and a creative sanctuary. Building a positive atmosphere is essential for morale, creativity, and respect.
Rehearsals are a great place to capture content that can be used as part of the advertising/promotion of a show. However, it’s important to ensure that all who are present are comfortable with having photos or videos taken whilst they work.
For Directors
- Foster Trust and Safety:
Establish a culture of respect from day one. Encourage open dialogue and ensure that all cast and crew feel heard. - Be Clear and Patient:
Offer concise direction and constructive feedback. Avoid overwhelming actors with too many notes at once. - Encourage Play:
Creativity thrives in playfulness. Allow room for experimentation, mistakes, and laughter. - Respect Boundaries:
Handle emotionally or physically intense scenes — like intimacy or violence — with care. Use intimacy coordinators when possible, and always prioritise consent.
For Actors
- Be Prepared:
Arrive knowing lines, cues, and blocking as rehearsals progress. Preparation builds trust and allows for deeper exploration. - Stay Open and Curious:
Rehearsal is a process, not a performance. Embrace feedback and remain flexible. - Support Your Ensemble:
Celebrate others’ successes and maintain professionalism, even during frustration. - Manage Energy and Wellbeing:
Rehearsals can be long and emotionally draining. Rest, hydrate, and practice self-care to sustain stamina.
For Stage Managers
- Create Structure:
Consistent call times, clear schedules, and thorough documentation keep everyone grounded. - Be a Source of Calm:
A composed, empathetic stage manager helps defuse stress and maintain focus. - Promote Communication:
Ensure all notes, schedule changes, and safety concerns are clearly communicated to every department.
Phases of Rehearsal
The rehearsal process typically unfolds over several phases, each with its own focus and rhythm. While every production varies in schedule and style, most rehearsal schedules follow a recognisable arc from exploration to execution.
The overall length of the rehearsal process and the number of rehearsals you have during each phase will largely depend on the nature of the production and the accompanying Script.
Table Read
In the early days, rehearsal often centres on reading and discussion. Table work is largely intellectual and collaborative — a chance for everyone to get on the same page before physical staging begins. It allows the cast and the creative team to analyse the script, clarify relationships, unpack meaning, and the Director will typically lead conversations about subtext, motivations, or themes.
Blocking
Next comes blocking — the process of staging where actors move, stand, and interact. Blocking establishes the visual storytelling of the play; it must balance artistic composition with practical concerns like sight-lines, lighting, and set changes.
Where sight lines are concerned, progressively minor adjustments will typically need to be made, even up to the final dress rehearsal.
Directors may plan blocking precisely in advance or discover it organically with the actors during each rehearsal. Stage managers will typically record movement in their “prompt copy” for reference.
Character Development
Once blocking is in place, rehearsals focus on refining individual scenes, and this is often the most creative phase — full of breakthroughs and challenges. Actors explore emotional depth, timing, and nuance and may even find new interpretations; Directors give notes to adjust pacing or motivation, fine-tuning the tone and rhythm.
Run-Throughs
As the show takes shape, the cast begins running larger sections — and, eventually, the entire play — without interruption. Run-throughs reveal pacing issues, transitions, and the overall flow. They also help actors build stamina and maintain focus across the full arc of the story.
Technical Rehearsals
Technical rehearsals — often referred to as Tech Week, or just Tech — integrate the various light, sound, props, and set changes. For the stage manager, this is the busiest phase: recording cues, coordinating crews, and ensuring safety.
Up until this point, rehearsals will often be conducted in a space that is often separate from the theatre/space in which the production is staged. From tech onwards, the cast and crew will typically have transitioned to the performance venue.
Tech rehearsals can be slow and demanding, but they are crucial for synchronising artistic and technical elements. Patience and professionalism are key for both the cast and crew.
Dress Rehearsals
Dress rehearsals simulate full performances with costumes, makeup, and all technical cues. These runs help actors adjust to costume changes and new sensory details. They also provide the director with a final opportunity to refine the specifics before opening night.
The Director’s Vision
The rehearsal process begins with a vision. Some directors prefer detailed preparation, arriving with blocking notes, design references, and a clear plan for each scene. Others adopt a more exploratory style, inviting the actors to discover movement and relationships organically. Whilst both approaches can succeed, the key to success is communication and coordination.
Guiding the Process
In early rehearsals, the director typically shares their interpretation of the script — its themes, tone, and intended impact on the audience. This will usually involve the table read, where the cast sits together to read the script aloud for the first time, with the director discussing historical or social context, offering insights into character relationships, and outlining their conceptual approach.
As rehearsals progress, the director balances artistry with practicality. They must translate ideas into action: shaping timing, refining blocking, and clarifying emotional beats. Directors watch for pacing, storytelling clarity, and the balance between individual performances and ensemble cohesion.
Good directors know when to push and when to step back. They encourage experimentation, invite questions, and help actors find the heart of their roles without stifling spontaneity.
“My job as a director is not to dictate performances but to create an environment where discovery can happen. Rehearsal is not about control — it’s about collaboration.”
The Actor’s Journey
For actors, rehearsals are a process of transformation — one that moves from reading to embodiment, from analysis to intuition; understanding the script’s structure, rhythm, and subtext is essential. In early rehearsals, they often ask questions that will form the basis of the performance choices they make: What does my character want? What obstacles stand in their way? What’s their motivation for doing what they’re doing?.
Research
Historical plays might require learning about customs or dialects; contemporary works might demand understanding a specific cultural or emotional context. Research into character backgrounds or story lines may also play a significant role.
For example, as I write this article, I’m rehearsing for a production of Terra Nova, and an understanding of the historical and epic journey to the South Pole by Robert Falcon Scott — more commonly referred to as “Scott of the Antarctic” — is an invaluable reference for cast and crew. Similarly, an understanding of the life and times of Roald Amundsen, has been valuable to me and the character I’m playing.
Building Relationships
The rehearsal room is where chemistry is built. Actors form connections with their scene partners, discovering dynamics that can’t be found on paper. Trust is vital — especially in scenes requiring vulnerability, intimacy, or conflict.
“Rehearsal is like learning to dance with someone. At first, you’re stepping on each other’s feet, but then suddenly, it clicks as you find the rhythm together.”
Experimentation and Risk
Rehearsal is also a place for risk-taking. The best performances often come from bold choices made in the safety of the rehearsal room. An actor might try a new emotional tone or physical gesture, and the director might respond with adjustments. Not every experiment works, but each failed attempt brings new understanding.
The Role of Stage Management
While actors and directors are the visible creative forces, the Stage Manager (a.k.a. the SM) is the invisible engine that keeps the production running. They manage schedules, track blocking, record cues, and ensure communication between all departments.
In some productions — particularly those associated with community theatre — the Director can take on aspects of the Stage Manager role, particularly during the early phases of rehearsal.
Organisation and Communication
From the first rehearsal, particularly in professional theatre, the stage manager is responsible for the logistical structure. They distribute daily schedules, note changes in blocking or dialogue, and ensure that props and technical needs are addressed.
During rehearsals, the SM acts as the director’s right hand — recording blocking, timing scenes, and noting any adjustments. They must be meticulous, diplomatic, and calm under pressure.
“If the director is the creative heart of the production, the stage manager is its nervous system. The SM keeps information flowing between everyone involved.”
For productions in which an ASM — i.e. an Assistant Stage Manager — is assigned, much if not all of the rehearsal responsibilities will be assigned to them.
Maintaining the Environment
Beyond logistics, stage managers often serve as emotional anchors. They set the tone for professionalism and respect, ensuring that the rehearsal room remains a safe, efficient, and inclusive space. If conflicts arise, the SM helps mediate and maintain morale.
They are also responsible for safety — especially during physically demanding scenes or when technical elements are introduced. Their combination of authority and empathy makes them indispensable to the process.
Different Approaches to Rehearsal
No two rehearsal processes are identical. Directors, production companies, and cultures bring distinct methods and philosophies to the work, blending these methods and adapting to the needs of the script, cast, and directorial style. The best rehearsal processes are flexible — structured enough to progress, but open enough to allow discovery, and here are some of the more common used approaches:
Traditional Linear Progression
In this approach, the production is built scene by scene in chronological order. It’s structured, predictable, and often efficient for plays with a clear narrative flow.
- Pros: Clarity, structure, steady progress.
- Cons: May limit early exploration of climactic or complex scenes.
Devising/Ensemble
Used in devised or physical theatre, this approach emphasises collective creation. Instead of starting with a fixed script, the company generates material through improvisation, movement, or discussion.
- Pros: Highly collaborative and inventive.
- Cons: Can be chaotic without clear leadership or deadlines.
Character-Centred or Psychological
Some directors focus deeply on internal work — motivations, relationships, and emotional truth — before staging. Actors might engage in exercises exploring backstory or subtext before ever standing up.
- Pros: Deep emotional grounding.
- Cons: Can delay physical staging and require strong ensemble trust.
Physical or Movement-Based
This approach uses the body as the primary tool for discovery. Directors might work with choreographers or movement coaches to explore spatial relationships and physical storytelling.
- Pros: Energizing and visually dynamic.
- Cons: May challenge actors less comfortable with abstract methods.
Polishing and Letting Go
As opening night approaches, the focus shifts from exploration to precision. The director refines timing and transitions, the stage manager finalises cues, and the actors work toward consistency and polish.
At a certain point, the director “hands over” the show to the company. Performances are now the actors’ domain, maintained under the stage manager’s supervision, and the rehearsal room — once a private space of experimentation — transforms into the public stage for storytelling.
I’m going to leave you with some parting thoughts from Juel Brown — author of the Story Teller’s Handbook channel on YouTube — who provides her take on the rehearsal process from the perspective of the Director, the Actors and the Stage Manager:
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