[MaryMag]

I'm nervous because the show I'm in now is only rehearsing for 4 weeks, 3x each week, before it opens. We have on week of tech in addition (or rather, 4 days of tech) and then we open. Yikes!

The directors are saying oh we love to keep the actors fresh and not over-rehearse them and i'm like fresh? i will be doing my best to just remember my lines.

I'm sure I'll be fine, though. I'm just a little overdramatic. But it got me thinking - how much rehearsal time do you guys like? Do you ever feel over-rehearsed?

[jazzygirlsings]

Honestly, it depends on the cast and the show...

I know I can do my part, but if I can't totally trust the other actors yet, then it becomes an issue...

[LisaKitty]

For a straight play, I think 4 weeks of rehearsal + tech is fine.

For a musical, I prefer at least 6 weeks, but no more than 8. I'm one of those anal-retentive music dorks that wants 2 weeks at the beginning of the rehearsal period to just learn songs. Not necessarily get them memorized, but learned to the point where they can be blocked without everyone going "how did this song go again?"

Then again, that's a pet peeve of mine -- directors that block musical numbers before the cast has had a chance to learn the music and realize if the blocking/choreography is going to work with what they are singing.

[Salome]

4-5 weeks is perfect. Nothing less than 4 or more than 5. honestly if you cant do a good show in 4-5 weeks there is a problem.

[flyinghome]

I've learned entire shows in 6-7 days (stock), and some in 4-5 months (CT).... I'd agree that about 4-6 weeks is ideal for a musical or play, all depending on how often rehearsal is or any difficulties in the material.