Writing Rehearsal Reports

Rehearsal reports are an essential part of every stage manager's job. Sent out after each rehearsal, including tech and dress, they provide a readable and centralized location for any notes the production staff might need. You should be sure to make a note of any tech needs which might come up in rehearsal, such as a missing prop or a faulty setpiece.

Every rehearsal report should include:

• The date, the name of who filled it out, and other basic information

• Rehearsal accomplishments (a list of what you did at rehearsal and when you did it)

• Notes, divided by tech department for readability

• The next upcoming daily call

Be careful to keep a consistent, professional but personable tone throughout your rehearsal report. You should be clear, polite, and to the point, without being demanding. Feel free to ask questions or express needs with direct, polite statements. Given the fact that you're a student and your production staff is almost always going to be faculty, you should phrase your notes as questions or requests, or needs from the director's point of view.

Examples:

• Could we please have x for our next rehearsal?

• [Director's Name] wants x for rehearsal on Sunday.

• If possible, we would appreciate having x for rehearsals going forward.

After each performance, you must send out a performance report, which is very similar but has a different template.

Cass and Alex's Pro Tip: While having a notebook for stage management is helpful, you can also fill in the rehearsal report as you go.