What happens at rehearsals?

Generally, a rehearsal opens with some chit-chat… some warming up. There may be some questions the teller has or some production-related news I or Annette need to share with the teller. There will also be time at the end for such things, but it’s not uncommon for the teller to come in with some questions that are useful to discuss at the beginning (as they often feed into the rehearsal we’re about to have).

Once the actual rehearsing gets started, it’s the teller telling and the Story Team listening and taking notes (and at least one Team member timing the story). Timing is useful for more than just knowing how long the story is, but to also check in for how long sections of the story are. This information can provide insights into whether the story is balanced (in terms of structure). Depending on the moments, balance doesn’t necessarily mean “equal,” but “appropriate.”

Then we get into the feedback portion of the rehearsal.

NOTE: the idea of feedback is not to tell the teller every way you can think of to improve their story. Depending on where the teller is with the story, I will frequently hold back some comments, knowing that if I still have them when I attend a later rehearsal, I can give them at that later rehearsal.

Here is what I have been telling new Story Team members joining a “first rehearsal” for a storyteller (as rehearsals progress, expectations change, but “first rehearsals” have lower expectations in terms of a teller’s progress and comfort level):

…know that positive feedback, especially with specific examples, is always welcome. “Opportunities” (constructive criticism, etc.), I would ask you give careful thought to. If your list is long, perhaps just share the two things you think could most help and then maybe share your other thoughts with me, privately, later. I don’t want to “pile on” (especially this early in the process). Also, depending on my head space, I will likely offer my feedback first and then ask you for yours. You can point out new things, build on what I’ve already said, or even disagree with me. Even so, I might throw to one of you first. Or I might ask for feedback as I go through mine. We’ll play it by ear: I just wanted to give you some semblance of what the call will be like.

…, I will be very interested in your feedback on this process and also anything along the lines of “what I wish I knew before this rehearsal” which will help me in the creation of the FAQs and conducting of future rehearsals.

In other words, this process may evolve, but this description will generally get us started.

How long does a rehearsal last?

At the very least, a rehearsal is likely to last 30 minutes. At the start of the process, it will probably be closer to an hour. Due to COVID, I have found that some folks are missing human interaction and get chatty, so I try to make sure we get the business of rehearsal completed (telling and providing feedback) and then I’ll gladly stay on to chit chat with the teller as long as I am able or the conversation lasts.

What kind of feedback is appropriate to give?

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