‘FROM REHEARSAL TO PERFORMANCE’

- A Guide for New Ember Players -

 For those of you new to Ember Players (or the ‘old hands’ that need a reminder!) we hope that the following notes will be of help to you.  If you have any queries or concerns about the play you are in please talk to your Director or to any member of the committee who will be happy to help.

 Ember Players Committee, February 2001

 Introduction

 Whether you are performing in the play or helping back stage, you will have spent the majority of the rehearsal period at the Ember Sports Club.  This guide covers the ‘all important’ transfer from rehearsal to performance in the theatre.

 Final Rehearsal

 Your final rehearsal at the Sports Club will probably take place the week before the group moves into the theatre (normally the Walton Playhouse in Walton or occasionally the Vera Fletcher Hall in Thames Ditton).  Your Director will give you the appropriate dates and times for rehearsal and performance.

 The Theatre ‘Get In’

 On the Saturday before the production the group begins the theatre ‘Get In’.  This means all the props, costumes, scenery and miscellaneous production ‘bits and bobs’ are moved from the Sports Club to the Theatre and the set is then constructed and painted at the theatre. 

 We asked for as many volunteers as possible to help over this, all important, weekend.  We usually pack everything into a van at the Sports club on Saturday morning and arrive at the theatre around midday.  We then work through until early evening on the Saturday.  On the Sunday it’s a slightly earlier start and again a finish late afternoon-early evening.  There’s always plenty to do and lots of fun to be had!  Whether you are an experienced builder or amateur painter – any help you can give, over whatever length of time during these two days, is much appreciated by the Director, Stage Manager and Crew.  The Stage Manager will give more exact timings for each individual production.

The Facilities

 This weekend is also your opportunity to look over the premises and familiarise yourself with the various rooms, entrances and exits in the theatre. Avoiding the possibility on the opening night of making your first grand entrance into the lap of an audience member instead of onto the stage!  If you are helping out back stage it will also give you the opportunity to see where all the props are stored during the performance.

 Your Costume

 The Director/Wardrobe Organiser will have asked you to take your costume home at some stage during the rehearsal so this is also your opportunity to bring your costume along to the theatre and leave it in the dressing room.

 Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided at the Get In and people either bring sandwiches for lunch or make use of the local McDonalds!

 The Technical Rehearsal – (Normally) Monday 

 On Sunday the lighting crew will have hung most of the lights and Sound will also have done most of their set up.  The back stage crew will have built most, if not all, of the set. The Monday ‘Technical Rehearsal’ is the opportunity to see if it all works! 

 This is often a long rehearsal as much testing and setting and re-setting has to take place.  If you are performing you will often be asked to say only a few of your lines or to make numerous entrances and exits.  If you are helping back stage you will find yourself setting and re-setting the same props or the same scene several times! This is all to ensure the play is as technically perfect as it can be – so your patience is much appreciated!  Normally, if performing, you will be asked to wear costume and make- up so this can be looked at under the lights.

 Tea, coffee and biscuits are again available, but you might want to bring a little ‘sustaining refreshment’ to get you through!  It is worth remembering as the night unfolds that this is the Technical Crew’s only real opportunity to ‘get it right’ so it is very much their rehearsal in order to ensure all goes well for the run.

 Make-up for Performers

 A limited amount of Ember Players make-up will be available in the dressing room.  You are advised to consult with the Director as to what she/he wants and then to make your own arrangements.  If you are unused to putting on stage make-up please let the Director know and they will ensure someone is available to help you.

The Dress Rehearsal 
(Normally) Tuesday, sometimes with a second Dress on Wednesday

Tuesday is the opportunity to make sure absolutely everything works!!  Usually, the Director will run the play from beginning to end and perhaps then re-do any scenes that need extra work.  The added bonus is that the bar is usually open!

 THE RUN (Normally) Wednesday – Saturday   

 You are asked to be at the theatre a minimum of at least half an hour before curtain up.  Any later usually results in the Director having a seizure!  We are also asked not to park in the car park during the run as it is reserved for the ‘paying’ public!  Parking is available in most side roads around the theatre.  Once in the dressing room you are asked not to go in front of the stage in costume to great guests, members of your family etc.!!

 The Stage Manager will advise you when it is time to start the performance and the sound is relayed under the stage and into the dressing rooms so you can keep up with the action and avoid missing your cues!

 Tea, coffee and biscuits are available.  You may want to bring any other refreshments of your own (energising bananas etc…!) and bottled water.

 After the performance you are asked to change out of costume and meet your adoring public in the bar, to avoid shattering the ‘theatrical illusion’.

Whooping It Up - Friday or Saturday Night

 The after performance party is usually held on the Friday or Saturday evening after the performance.  This tends to take place either in the theatre or occasionally at the Director’s house or that of a cast/crew member.  Everyone brings along some booze and nibbles and a ‘good time is had by all! 

 At the party one of the cast or crew normally makes a speech thanking the Director and the Director responds in kind.  A member of the cast/crew will normally start a collection for the Director during the run and a small present is given to the Director to thank them for their work and anguish!

 The Get Out - Sunday

 The reverse of the Get In!  Again, everyone’s help is much appreciated to clear the stage and the dressing rooms, under the guiding hand of the Stage Manager.  We usually begin around 10am and the van is loaded once again, to return to the Sports Club.  Here a little lunchtime drinking will often take place while stories are exchanged of that memorable production!