What's in my Rehearsal Bag!
Hey, Its Phia,
As my first rehearsals start this week, and I am preparing myself both with lines, and lyrics, and with my bag, and what I am bringing with me. So, the post today is…. What’s in my rehearsal bag/What to take to rehearsal!
Essentials!
Most performers will be familiar with the basics needed in a rehearsal bag, but for people just starting out, these are a MUST.
Script - This is pretty self-explanatory, and crucial in the beginning of rehearsals, and first learning lines. However, it is still important to bring your script to rehearsals, even after you are off-book, so you can mark blocking, and cues. I even like to bring my script in tech week, and even on shows, to keep track of where we are, and to ease any line-related worries.
Stationary - If you’re allowed to write on your script (please check with your director, as different licensing companies have different rules), taking a pen, pencil and highlighter is helpful to highlight lines, and write down blocking.
Water and Snacks - This is one of the most important things to pack, as rehearsals can be very tiring and burn lots of calories, so water and food is non-negotiable. Especially, in performance days, and tech week, rehearsals can be 6 hours +, and you won’t be able to healthily make it through the days without proper sustenance.
Helpful Items:
Dance/Character Shoes - I don’t normally use my shoes for shows until tech week, but for my upcoming show, I’m trying a new approach of using my shoes for all dance rehearsals. It can be really difficult to adjust to choreography in shoes you haven’t rehearsed in on tech week, so this combats that issue. They can also be easier to dance in than trainers, and boots.
Power-banks/Portable Chargers - It’s so helpful for both you, and others in your cast to pack a portable charger. I can’t even count the amount of times I have used/lent my power-bank since I got it in December. Especially on shows, and long/late night rehearsals, phone/device battery will not last.
Handheld Fan - I’ve only recently just bought my fan, so I haven’t had to use it in rehearsal yet, but dance rehearsals will make anyone sweat, and especially in the summer. Having this way of cooling down will help anyone in your cast, and hopefully prevent any over-heating, or collapsing.
Elastic Headband/Exercise Headband - This is a new item I bought for my upcoming rehearsal, as my next show is dance-heavy, and I have a grown-out fringe, which gets in the way. Hopefully, it will keep my hair cleaner, and out of my face.
Medical/Joint Support - Items like braces or medication are crucial to take to rehearsals to avoid pain, and medical incidents.
Speaker - This isn’t completely necessary for rehearsals, especially if they are extremely structured, and always led by choreographers or directors. Though, if you often get sent to rehearse in small groups, a speaker could be useful to play tracks.
Emergency Kit/Self-Care Items:
Perfume - Perfume is important to make sure you don’t smell on hot/dance rehearsals.
Deodorant/Anti-Perspirant - It is important to reapply deodorant, after you sweat in a strenuous rehearsal, so you don’t continue to sweat or smell.
Painkillers - Long rehearsals can cause pain, such as headaches or joint pain, so having painkillers is important for both you, and others.
Dry Shampoo - To stop hair looking greasy at rehearsals, especially because sweat can make hair greaser.
Sanitary Products - I keep products both for myself, and others in my bag,as you never know when you’ll need it.
Plasters - Blisters, and small cuts can happen quite frequently, so plasters can be extremely useful to have.
Throat Sweets - These are a saviour, especially in cold season, and after singing rehearsals.
Hair Clips/Bobby Pins - Good to keep hair out of face, and hair accessories in.
Hairbands - It is helpful to keep some in your bag, as having hair tied back, either for practicality or the character’s hairstyle.
Mints - Helpful if you have a scene, where you are quite close to someone, or you’ve just eaten, as they make breath better.
Hope you found this interesting, or helpful when packing your own bag for rehearsal. Please interact here, or on my other socials, if you have any queries or ideas for other posts. And, HOPEfully, I can announce my next role and show soon!
See you at stage door, Phia!