by Lindsay Price

Created on: February 03, 2009

In many high school theatre situations, the drama teacher is thrown into directing the yearly play whether they like it or not. Directing the high school play is a very different animal than the professional or even the community theatre play. Dealing with students can be a whole different experience.

The most important key for teachers directing the high school play is the way they handle the first rehearsal. The first rehearsal sets the tone for the entire rehearsal process. The first rehearsal lets students know what kind of experience they're in for: is this going to be a great experience? A great play? Memorable for all the wrong reasons?

AND THEY WALK IN THE DOOR....

It's a good idea to start the first rehearsal, and all rehearsals, by creating a division between the Outside World and the Rehearsal World. The play is never the only thing on a high school student's mind and it's natural for them to be scattered. It's important to bring their focus into the Rehearsal World.

Use an Icebreaker. Something fun, something where everyone can participate. All directors should have a back pocket full of icebreaker games.

WHAT KIND OF ICEBREAKER DO I USE?

Take two things into consideration: WHO and WHAT. Who is participating, and What do you want to accomplish?

Is this your first year at the school, and you don't know the students at all? Are you a student director working with your friends? Are you familiar with everyone but a couple of new comers?

Icebreakers should always have a purpose. The purpose could be as simple as creating a closer cast dynamic with a name game. As rehearsals continue, you can choose icebreakers to reflect your needs in the rehearsal process.Over time, turn icebreakers into more traditional warm ups, which in turn become something that occurs before every rehearsal, and finally a repeated ritual before every performance.

COMMON ICEBREAKERS: Here are some commonly-used icebreakers. Think about how they fit into your play, into your specific group, and what your cast can learn from them. The games you choose can be a step toward a unified cast and a fantastic production.

THE NAME GAME: Everyone stands in a circle. The first person says their name. The second person repeats the first person's name and their own name, the third person repeats the first person's name, the second person's name, then says their own name, and so on. Make it harder: Everyone has to add an descriptive word that starts with the same letter as their name: Loud Lindsay, Cranky

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