school performances and rehearsals

[stuffthenonsense]

Does anyone know if there are any regulations on length of rehearsals etc? My DDs have just received a schedule and over the next month there are loads of rehearsals...a lot taking up lunch hour, a few for an hour or so after school and some for FIVE hours, straight after school....when are they to rest/eat/do. Homework? Is this really acceptable?? Or am i being very precious?..it covers year 7-13btw.

If they don't want to do it, then don't do it.
There are lots of benefits to taking part in such a thing, but it is hard work too.

ds2's show was last week. The prep was largely concentrated over one month and especially the last week, which is a good approach imo. Generally they rehearsed 2 lunchtimes, plus 3.30 - 5.30 on Mon nights, but since Christmas it's been 6pm usually and 7pm on two occasions.

In the show week they did 9-4 on Sat and Sun, 9-7 on Mon, then performances 6-10pm for Tues-Thurs, and 9-12 and 1-3 on Fri.

He (yr8) generally needs a lot of sleep and was absolutely shattered by the end of the week, but it was a good experience for him.

Well the ones my DC have been in have usually involved whole day rehearsals at the weekend in the lead up to the performance. Are you sure your DCs have to be at all the rehearsals? Sometimes particular acts etc are done in a rehearsal so not everyone is needed.

Surely that is the choice of the child who wants to take part- if they aren't going to commit then don't do it.

My DD (in year 8) has been involved in her school production preparation which has involved twice weekly rehearsals for an hour and a half (after school) since September, six whole day rehearsals and the odd lunchtime. I also believe they will be off timetable for the two days before the perfomances start (four nights where she needs to be available from 6-10pm)

She manages to get her homework done (and this is on top of 9 hours of other performing arts lessons a week and guitar lessons.)

I think her teachers who are involved in giving up hours and hours of free time after school, in their hoildays and at the weekends are so fantastic. The shows themselves are stunning- I am so grateful she gets the opportunity to take part in them- performing is her absolute passion.

Agree with the others. 5 hours after school does seem a lot - I'm surprised the staff have the strength, and that the caretaker lets them stay!
However, it's a voluntary thing, for a short time span, and so rewarding.

There aren't regulations for school stuff, but there are for any other performances, amateur or professional are the same.
You can contact your local council who should have someone designated for "Working children".

Off the top of my head: under 13s can only work 10am-10pm, over 13s until 10.30pm for performances. I can't remember whether there's a limit on length of rehearsals for stage stuff. I think the longest a performance can be is 2.5 hours, and only 2 performances in a day so I'd guess if they have a break in the middle of the 5 hours, it would be fine.

There's no mention of breaks on the letter, and I like them doing shows,I'm just a bit concerned at the 8.45-3.40 day, followed by a 4-9 reheArsal to be honest. The rehearsals are for all performers to attend and the teacher is already pissed off with me as I have asked her to put my DDs in non-essential roles as I am due to give birth on day 1 of performances and cannot therefoe commit to transport them.

If you're seriously thinking of making a fuss, can I suggest you just pull your kids out of the show? As a performing arts teacher, I can't even begin to explain to you how unfair it is on the kids who are working their sock off to get a show ready if there are students who are uncommitted. Not fair on the teachers, not fair on the other kids and, if you're potentially going to pull yours out on the day, not fair on them.

When dd was in panto she went to school from 8.45am - 1.00pm then did panto rehearsals from 2.00pm - 9.30pm except it over-ran until 10.00pm the week before opening night.

The week before she did 8.45am - 3.30pm at school then 5.00pm - 7.30pm

There are no regulations for performances organised by an academic school but under the regulations for outside performances children can not rehearse/perform before 10.0am or after 10.00pm (under 14) or 10.30pm (over 14) and they have to have breaks after 3 and half hours (the minimum break is 45 mins if they are only doing 2 per week or 1.5 hours if they are doing more.) They can do 2 3.5 hour sessions per day (This assumes that during a 3.5 hour rehearsal/performance they are not actually on stage or being used for more than 2.5 hours)

My big gripe with school shows are last minute rehearsals. Dd has numerous dance/drama class commitments and we feel they are probably as important if not more important than shows. However if you are given a schdule in advance then you either do it with full commitment or don't.

It takes a lot to put on a show and you have to be dedicated or it isn;t fair on those who are.

Oh im not going to pull them, they will do it, but its really difficult right now, they have always given full commitment to these performances over the last 7 years, i guess im just narky because the teacher expects so much in terms of commitment but happily cancels rehearsals herself with no notice...yes i know things happen and they cant be helped, but it works both ways....when my daughter was sick and missed a rehearsal she was threatened with being dumped for example...i am easily annoyed at the moment, i accept that, (me and late pregnancy dont get on well at all) and am well aware that it cant be easy to put on the shows, but as with all things in life, being nice to the people you are expecting co-operation from gets you much further than being demanding.

I'm a performing arts teacher too and we certainly don't have any regulations on rehearsal length. We expect the children to attend all the rehearsals for their scenes, if they have chosen to be in the play (obviously there are pre agreed exceptions for various reasons and there is illness.)

With the play I am currently rehearsing (with children from Y6 to Y8) there are 2 evening rehearsals from 6.30-8pm and around 20 breaktime rehearsals a week for different children in different places. We have one 5 hour Saturday afternoon rehearsal and one all day Sunday rehearsal. The children do get breaks and food/drink though!

The way I put it to them is that they only have to attend the rehearsals for their scenes/dances whereas I have to attend every single one so they can't moan!

I direct school shows and we rehearse a lot too, including several all day Sunday rehhearsals. My problem would be the 'non-essential role' thing in case they can't come on the night. THere is no such thing, I'm afraid. All scenes are carefully set and missing childern would be obvious. If they can;t commit, please ask them to miss this one: there will be others.