In Rehearsal: In the World, in the Room, and On Your Own - Practical

Our review of In Rehearsal finds it most valuable for actors and theatre-makers who want a clear, practical approach to the rehearsal process; the single biggest reason to buy is its structured, three-stage framework that guides work alone, in-company, and across a production schedule. Gary Sloan combines thirty years of acting experience with interviews and examples that make the techniques feel usable rather than theoretical, and the book reads like a working companion for both early-career performers and experienced professionals seeking a reliable rehearsal routine.

Key Features

• Three-stage structure: The book separates rehearsal work into In the world, In the room, and On your own so readers can apply a consistent method across daily practice and four-week production schedules.
• Practical rehearsal program: A flexible daily and production-scale program is provided so actors can structure sessions and track progress over time.
• Expert interviews: Conversations with acclaimed actors, directors, playwrights, and designers offer concrete perspectives on collaboration and company dynamics.
• Accessible writing: Sloans tone is clear and straightforward, making techniques easy to adopt without dense theory or jargon.
• Focus on collaboration: Guidance on working productively with directors and designers helps actors integrate their individual preparation into a team process.

Who It's For

This book is best for actors, directors, and stage professionals looking for a pragmatic rehearsal manual that combines individual practice with company work. Early-career performers will find the step-by-step approach helpful for developing daily habits, while mid-career professionals can use the material to refine company-building and rehearsal planning.

Those seeking exhaustive text-analysis theory or academic treatises on acting techniques should look elsewhere; In Rehearsal emphasizes hands-on rehearsal methods and collaborative process rather than dense theoretical exposition.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear, usable framework that translates to both solo practice and ensemble rehearsal.
• Real-world insight from interviews with practitioners that illuminate collaborative choices.
• Flexible rehearsal program suitable for daily practice and standard four-week schedules.
• Readable, no-nonsense prose that makes the methods easy to implement.

Cons

• Not a comprehensive academic text on acting theory, so readers wanting deep theoretical analysis may find it light.

Specifications

Title	In Rehearsal: In the World, in the Room, and On Your Own
Author	Gary Sloan, Laurence Maslon
Focus	Practical rehearsal methods and collaboration
Structure	Three main stages: In the world; In the room; On your own
Intended use	Daily practice and four-week production rehearsal
Includes	Interviews with actors, directors, playwrights, and designers

Our Verdict

In Rehearsal is a practical, well-organized resource for performers and production teams who want a usable rehearsal routine and better ensemble collaboration. Its three-stage framework and practitioner interviews deliver real-world guidance, making it good value for anyone aiming to improve both solo preparation and company rehearsal work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book include exercises for solo practice?
Yes, the On your own section and the flexible rehearsal program offer concrete daily exercises and routines for individual preparation.

Will directors and designers find useful material here?
Yes, the books focus on collaboration and interviews with designers and directors provides insight into company dynamics and working productively together.

Is the book theoretical or practical?
The emphasis is practical: clear methods and rehearsal programs rather than dense theoretical analysis.