• Latest
  • Trending
Rehearsing with Kids and Teens

Rehearsing with Kids and Teens

June 12, 2023
Meet Chief Musician Noel Marcano By U.S. Coast Guard Band Staff

Meet Chief Musician Noel Marcano By U.S. Coast Guard Band Staff

July 17, 2025
Marching Band Camp: 5 Pro Tips for Directors From WindConductor.org

Marching Band Camp: 5 Pro Tips for Directors From WindConductor.org

July 16, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
Making Hard Decisions as a Leader

Making Hard Decisions as a Leader

July 15, 2025
My Story

My Story

July 12, 2025
Doing Better Next School Year

Doing Better Next School Year

July 10, 2025
Bring Harmony to Your Classroom

Bring Harmony to Your Classroom

July 10, 2025
Composing for Middle and High School Choirs – A conversation with Laura Farnell and Reginald Writer – Part 1

How Choir Practice Builds Confidence in Middle School Students

July 5, 2025
I Love ASTA!

I Love ASTA!

July 3, 2025
Technology: DAW Bundles

Features You Must Have in a Small Portable USB Audio Interface!

June 28, 2025
Choosing the Right Microphone(s) to Record Your Choral Rehearsal

Choosing the Right Microphone(s) to Record Your Choral Rehearsal

June 28, 2025
Best Budget Microphones for High School Podcasting

Best Budget Microphones for High School Podcasting

June 30, 2025
The Midwest Clinic Announces 2025 Clinicians and Performers

The Midwest Clinic Announces 2025 Clinicians and Performers

June 28, 2025
Thursday, July 17, 2025
  • Contact
SBO+
  • Departments
    • Concert Band
    • Orchestra
      • String Section
    • Choral
    • Marching Band
    • Jazz
    • Modern Band/Popular Music
      • Mariachi
    • Theater
    • Editorial
      • Upclose
      • Advocacy
        • NAfME Neighborhood
        • MAC Corner
        • MusicEd: Mentor Minute
      • Commentary
        • Bubbett’s Bookshelf
        • Leadership Tips
        • Perspective
        • InService
          • America’s Bandmasters
          • America’s Musicians
        • Tone Deaf Comics
      • Features
    • News
      • Headlines
      • New Products
    • Performance
      • Woodwinds
        • Wind Talkers
      • Percussion
        • GoodVibes
      • Repertoire
      • Playing Tips
    • Technology
    • Travel/Festivals
      • Fundraising
  • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Awards/Entries
    • Teachers’ Choice Awards
    • 50 Teachers Who Make a Difference
  • Subscribe to SBO+
    • Subscribe
    • Login/Manage Subscription
    • Support
  • Advertise
    • Email PR!
No Result
View All Result
  • Departments
    • Concert Band
    • Orchestra
      • String Section
    • Choral
    • Marching Band
    • Jazz
    • Modern Band/Popular Music
      • Mariachi
    • Theater
    • Editorial
      • Upclose
      • Advocacy
        • NAfME Neighborhood
        • MAC Corner
        • MusicEd: Mentor Minute
      • Commentary
        • Bubbett’s Bookshelf
        • Leadership Tips
        • Perspective
        • InService
          • America’s Bandmasters
          • America’s Musicians
        • Tone Deaf Comics
      • Features
    • News
      • Headlines
      • New Products
    • Performance
      • Woodwinds
        • Wind Talkers
      • Percussion
        • GoodVibes
      • Repertoire
      • Playing Tips
    • Technology
    • Travel/Festivals
      • Fundraising
  • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Awards/Entries
    • Teachers’ Choice Awards
    • 50 Teachers Who Make a Difference
  • Subscribe to SBO+
    • Subscribe
    • Login/Manage Subscription
    • Support
  • Advertise
    • Email PR!
No Result
View All Result
SBO+
No Result
View All Result

Rehearsing with Kids and Teens

June 12, 2023
in Archives, Theater, Choral, June 2023
Share on Facebook
ADVERTISEMENT

In a typical adult rehearsal for a musical, the actors are told rehearsals are twice a week from 8 to 11 PM, with maybe an additional rehearsal once a week for lead roles only. Everyone shows up at about the assigned time and sits around studying their lines until they are needed on stage. 

Anyone who has directed a musical for 30 or more children or teenagers can tell you this doesn’t work for kids. The kids who are not on stage, and some who are, will get bored, start running around, talking loudly to one another, and the teenagers will get so caught up on their cell phones they do not respond to stage calls. So, what is the alternative?

First, it is unlikely you will get kids, especially if they are middle or high school age, to come to more than one rehearsal per week. They are involved in so many activities that asking for more than one rehearsal night is asking too much for most of them. For that reason, it’s best to take several months to prepare for a show and do only one rehearsal per week up until the dress rehearsals. Second, it’s a good idea to talk to various parents about what nights the schools have their musical activities such as band, show choir, or orchestra, and work around those nights. Most sports programs are immediately after school, but you might also check if there is a big sports night as well.

Once you have picked a night, figure out how long the rehearsal needs to be to give everyone a chance to go over their parts. Start early and try to end by 8 or 9 PM, as most parents will not want their kids out later than that because of homework and for younger kids, bedtime. 

Schedule as many rehearsals as possible in out-of-sequence pieces. Divide the scenes into groups of actors who are on stage during those scenes and rehearse, if possible, in separate groups. In our theatre group, we use older teenagers to work with chorus groups while the director works with stage scenes and the music director works with soloists. Have the youngest students come first to rehearse their scenes and songs so they can leave early. Try to arrange it so only the lead roles must stay at rehearsal for more than an hour.

Before dress rehearsals, you will need to have three or four full cast run throughs, start to finish. This will involve everyone being there at the same time. If you are working with young actors, you need to occupy them waiting in the green room by organizing drawing contests or other quiet games and finding someone to supervise the green room to make sure kids who are needed on stage don’t miss their cues. 

Our final piece of advice – find a director who has the patience of a saint. He or she will need it. But the rewards of seeing the kids on stage, shining and enjoying the accolades are well worth the effort.

SpotlightMusicals.com

You may also like:

The More, the Merrier: Carl Sabatino & Peter Sciaino The 22nd Annual 50 Directors Who Make a Difference Our 24th Annual 50+ Directors Who Make a Difference SBO Presents The 19th Annual 50 Directors Who Make A Difference The Shadow Mountain and Paradise Valley High School Orchestra learned how to score an actual movie scene during the Sound Design: Music and the Art of Foley workshop.UpClose: Universal Studios
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

POPULAR STORY

  • 50 Music Teachers Who Make a Difference

    50 Music Teachers Who Make a Difference

    1358 shares
    Share 543 Tweet 340
  • When Selecting New Choral Music, Choose Success

    1294 shares
    Share 518 Tweet 324
  • Concert Band Set-up Fundamentals

    1093 shares
    Share 437 Tweet 273
  • The Immediate Threat to School Music Programs

    1008 shares
    Share 403 Tweet 252
  • TI:ME Announces Free PreSonus Revelator USB Microphone at 30th Anniversary Celebration at TMEA

    970 shares
    Share 388 Tweet 243
ADVERTISEMENT

SchoolMusic.Travel

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations in the Northwest USA

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations in the Northwest USA

Mountains, music, and vibrant cities — the Northwest offers unforgettable experiences for student groups. 🎷 1. Seattle, WA – Innovation Meets Inspiration• Why it’s great:…

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations in the Northeast USA

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations in the Northeast USA

From Broadway to Boston, the Northeast inspires music students with rich culture and iconic venues. From Broadway lights to historic concert halls, the Northeast is…

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations in the Midwest USA

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations in the Midwest USA

The Midwest is the heartbeat of America — and it beats in 4/4 time. The Midwest is the heartbeat of America — and it beats…

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations on the West Coast

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations on the West Coast

Coastlines, concert halls, and creativity — the West Coast delivers stunning performance opportunities. From iconic performance halls to scenic coastal venues, the West Coast offers…

Next Post
Meeting a Music Icon

Meeting a Music Icon

  • July 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • June 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • May 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • April 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • March 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
© 2005 - 2025 artistpro, LLC
7012 City Center Way, Suite 207
Fairview, Tennessee 37062
(800) 682-8114

No Result
View All Result
  • Departments
    • Concert Band
    • Orchestra
      • String Section
    • Choral
    • Marching Band
    • Jazz
    • Modern Band/Popular Music
      • Mariachi
    • Theater
    • Editorial
      • Upclose
      • Advocacy
      • Commentary
      • Features
    • News
      • Headlines
      • New Products
    • Performance
      • Woodwinds
      • Percussion
      • Repertoire
      • Playing Tips
    • Technology
    • Travel/Festivals
      • Fundraising
  • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Awards/Entries
    • Teachers’ Choice Awards
    • 50 Teachers Who Make a Difference
  • Subscribe to SBO+
    • Subscribe
    • Login/Manage Subscription
    • Support
  • Advertise
    • Email PR!

© 2005 - 2024 artistpro, LLC 7012 City Center Way, Suite 207 Fairview, Tennessee 37062 (800) 682-8114

Wenger EndurAd Promo