The Art and Practice of Directing for Theatre

Chapter 7The Rehearsal Calendar

All of your work throughout this process has led you to this point: the rehearsals! This is the part of production that almost all directors love the most. The opportunity to be in the studio, working with other artists to create and craft the show is what draws and drives directors. In her book about JoAnne Akalaitis, the Mabou Mines founder and former New York Shakespeare Festival Artistic Director, Deborah Saivetz notes that “Akalaitis describes a rehearsal process as a journey that in and of itself is far more important than its destination.”¹ The importance of that journey cannot be overstated, as it will ultimately determine the level of success for your production. Before you can get to the rehearsals, though, ...