Showcase Tech/Dress Rehearsals

A series of technical and dress rehearsals are held in the week prior to the opening performance of each semester’s Dance Showcase. Please see the specific Showcase page for specific dates.

Technical Rehearsals:

The tech/dress process for the Dance Showcase begins with an individual technical rehearsal for each piece which is selected for inclusion in the Dance Showcase. These are often casually referred to as “tech slots”.

Tech slots are 20 minutes long and take place in Hauck Auditorium. Tech slots are offered on both the Friday and Saturday prior to the opening of the Showcase. For flexibility, there are more tech slots available than needed for the number of pieces in the Showcase. Whenever possible, it is preferred that Friday slots are prioritized and Saturday slots are only used if significant conflicts exist on Friday for the choreographer(s)/dancers.

During the 20-minute tech slot, dancers will be asked to run through the piece on stage with some nice bright stage light, so that a recording of the piece can be made for use by the lighting designer. Afterward, the choreographer(s) will be asked to join the lighting designer in the house of the theatre to talk about the themes of the piece and any requests for what the lights should look like (colors, silhouettes, isolation, strobes, etc.). After that conversation, the piece will be run through a second time, with the choreographer(s) staying in the house with the lighting designer to talk about the piece while watching it. The lighting designer will put colors or effects on stage as he’s able, in order to give the choreographer(s) a few things to respond to.

If any of the 20 minutes remain following those tasks, the choreographer(s) are welcome to use the stage time to work things with their dancers, or may dismiss everyone early.

Dress Rehearsal #1:

The goal of this dress rehearsal is to practice transitions between pieces and identify any potential problem with performance order and the implementation of props/scenic elements. Before the start of the rehearsal, all dancers will meet on stage for an introduction to how the transitions between pieces work. Following, there will be an attempt to run the show in performance order, from start to finish. If problems or confusion arise, the rehearsal will be stopped and troubleshooting will be done as needed. This rehearsal is also an opportunity to work through any trouble with costume quick-changes, so each piece should try to have as many costumes ready as possible by the time of this rehearsal.

Dress Rehearsal #2:

The goal of this dress rehearsal is to run the Showcase from start to finish without stopping. Any necessary changes to address problems from dress rehearsal #1 should be implemented. In the event of a major problem, a stop in the rehearsal will still be allowed to troubleshoot.

Dress Rehearsal #3:

This is the final dress rehearsal before the opening performance of the Showcase. The Showcase will be run through in performance conditions without stopping. Stops in the rehearsal will only be allowed in the event of a serious emergency, major injury, or threat to safety. Any small mishaps that occur, onstage or offstage, must be solved while continuing forward with the rehearsal.

Stage Manager & Crew:

Each Dance Showcase is assigned a student stage manager who will lead the dress rehearsals and performances. The stage manager will communicate with choreographers about the call times for each rehearsal and performance, as well as any logistical information or other policies necessary to facilitate the best performance possible.

During rehearsals and performances, the stage manager stays in the house of the theatre or the control booth. They are responsible for cuing the lights and sound for each dance, based on information from the choreographer(s) and the lighting designer. The stage manager has a headset for intercom communication with two Assistant Stage Managers, who will be backstage.

An Assistant Stage Manager will be positioned downstage on both the stage right and stage left sides of the theatre. If any dancer experiences a problem which might affect the run of the show during rehearsal or performance, they should report it to one of the assistant stage managers. In between each piece, the assistant stage managers will be looking for signals from the dancers that costume changes are complete and dancers are ready to start the next piece in the showcase.

Additional backstage crew may be added as needed, depending on the use of scenic or prop elements in the showcase. More information about interacting with the stage manager and crew will be provided prior to dress rehearsal #1.