In the Rehearsal Room

In the Rehearsal Room

The Director is the most likely person to be able to address questions or concerns. At Illinois Theatre, directors who are members of the faculty are also the instructor of record for the THEA 400 practicum course for actors.

Directors can help you understand the dynamics in the rehearsal room, support you in understanding interactions with other members of the company or the designers and shop staff, and address things like cultural appropriation, microaggressions or offensive behavior that might occur in a rehearsal room

You Can Also Try These Pathways:

Even if you have a good relationship with a director, it can still be intimidating for a student to voice concerns or seek support from someone who has that much power and authority in their production role or who may also be the instructor or program chair who evaluates and grads your work.  There are several alternatives you can explore to seek support:

  • Faculty show advisors
  • Other faculty on the production (ex: Choreographers, vocal coaches, fight directors, music directors, etc.)
  • Your program Faculty

Your area head or producer:

If you are not comfortable with the above options, or you have used them but you desire further action, make an appointment with the Head of Illinois Theatre, Valleri Robinson (valleri2@illinois.edu) or the Associate Head, JW Morrisette (jwmorris@illinois.edu)

If you prefer to speak with someone outside of the department, please consult the curated list of “Non-Departmental Support Resources”

WHEN CAN I GO TO THE STAGE MANAGER?

You can always go to your stage managers for allyship in voicing a concern. It is worth noting that in department productions almost ALL our stage managers are also students, and as such do not have the power (nor the responsibility) to resolve conflicts with other students, faculty, or staff. That said, your stage managers are a wonderful resource for getting you pointed in the best direction, and can offer support in resolving conflicts, but should not be tasked with being the source of that resolution.   

A NOTE ABOUT STUDENT SUPERVISORS

They can be your advocate and ally in voicing these concerns but another student is rarely in the position to be able to RESOLVE a situation. They may be able to support and advocate on your behalf, connect you with resources that can help you, or direct you to an adviser, faculty member, shop supervisor, or another person in a leadership position.

Student managers and shop heads will most likely bring the issue directly to their advisers, the director, the shop supervisor or the production director

A NOTE ABOUT GRADUATE STUDENTS

Graduate students are in the unique position of being both a student and an employee of the university.  Sometimes they have a leadership role because of student responsibilities and sometimes because of assistantship responsibilities, but as employees of the university, they must at all times abide by the same mandatory reporting requirements as faculty and full-time staff.  Graduate students can be excellent mentors and advisers when you need help, but may not always be able to resolve a situation as they are students too.