How to Get the Most Out of Rehearsal Season

At Rae, showcase season is about so much more than learning choreography. It’s an opportunity to build confidence, strengthen your artistry, support your teammates, and experience what it feels like to create something together.

The goal isn’t to be “the best dancer in the room.” It’s to become a more thoughtful, prepared, and connected performer – while helping foster a rehearsal environment where everyone can grow.

Here are a few ways to make the most out of showcase season now, rather than waiting until performance week.

Show Up Ready To Learn

One of the most valuable things you can bring into a rehearsal space is an open mind. That means:

• Being respectful of others’ time and energy by

  • Arriving on time

  • Staying engaged

• Utilizing the 3-watch rule

  • When the teacher is teaching, allow them to walk through the content at least 3 times before asking your question.

    • Utilizing this method helps train your brain to better digest content on its own without jumping straight into questions. This also allows breathing room for your teacher to implement different methods of teaching the content

  • Ask thoughtful questions

    • Try not to get ahead of yourself by jumping into questions before fully processing the movement

    • Be aware of the rehearsal timeline

      • If you’re in the first rehearsal, some intricate cleaning questions can probably wait until a later rehearsal - this gives the teacher the opportunity to organically provide feedback, critiques and corrections. If you’re still unclear about the cleaning by a later rehearsal, by all means, ask for clarification

• Giving yourself permission to fail, process, and try again

Everyone in the room is working on something – whether that’s technique, confidence, memory, musicality, performance quality, or simply feeling comfortable taking up space.

Use In-Studio Time Intentionally

There may be many moments during rehearsal where you may not actively be dancing – but that doesn’t mean the learning stops.

You can still:

• Mark choreography on the side

• Review counts quietly

• Observe spacing and formations

• Watch how corrections are applied

• Mentally rehearse transitions

• Watch how your peers execute the movement differently from you

Being mentally present throughout rehearsal helps information stick faster and makes the entire process feel less stressful later on.

Corrections Are Part Of The Process

Receiving corrections can feel intimidating, especially during performance prep. But corrections are simply tools to help you grow.

A few reminders:

• Being corrected does not mean you’re doing badly

• Everyone receives feedback

• Improvement takes repetition

• You don’t need to apologize for learning

• Corrections for other dancers may also be for you

One of the healthiest mindset shifts a dancer can make is learning to view corrections as support, not criticism.

Practice Smarter At Home

Home practice does not need to be intense to be effective. Even 10-20 focused minutes can make a huge difference.

Some helpful ways to practice:

• Review videos slowly

• Talk through choreography out loud

• Practice transitions separately

• Drill sections that feel confusing

• Rehearse facials and performance quality separately from movement

• Listen the music during other activities to get the rhythm in your subconscious

Consistency matters more than exhaustion.

Take Care Of Your Body

Performance prep becomes much easier when recovery and body care are part of your routine before things get hectic.

That can look like:

• Stretching consistently

• Hydrating

• Eating before rehearsals

• Getting enough sleep

• Taking breaks when needed

• Communicating proactively about injuries or limitations

Dancers are athletes, artists, and humans. Taking care of yourself is part of the work.

Support the Energy Of The Room

A showcase cast works best when people feel encouraged, respected, and safe to learn.

Small things matter:

• Applauding after runthroughs

• Encouraging teammates

• Learning people’s names

• Being patient while others pick things up

• Celebrating progress, not perfection

At Rae, we care deeply about building spaces where dancers can grow without fear of embarrassment, judgment, or competition.

Growth Doesn’t Always Look Dramatic

Not all progress is obvious right away.

Sometimes growth looks like:

• Feeling less nervous

• Retaining choreography more quickly

• Becoming more expressive as a performer

• Building stamina

• Trusting yourself more

• Staying present instead of overthinking

Every rehearsal builds something – even when it doesn’t feel perfect in the moment.

The performance should feel like a celebration of the work you’ve already been doing, not the first time you’re fully locked in.

So start now:

• Stay curious

• Practice intentionally

• Support your teammates

• Read the room

• Ask questions

• Give yourself grace

Because the most memorable performers aren’t just technically strong – they’re connected, present, generous, and willing to grow.

Want To Feel More Prepared For Showcase Week?

Join us for our upcoming Performance Readiness Workshops on May 19th and May 27th from 5:30-6:30pm – a supportive, information packed session designed to help dancers feel more confident, prepared, and comfortable throughout the performance process.

We’ll cover:

• Rehearsal etiquette

• Backstage expectations

• Theater terminology

• Audience etiquette (and what to share with your guests!)

• Performance day logistics

• Mindset tips for nerves and confidence

• How to make the most of your workshop experience from start to finish

Whether this is your first showcase, or fifteenth, this workshop is designed to help you walk into performance week feeling informed, grounded, and ready to enjoy your moment on stage.

All levels welcome.

Tuesday, May 19th from 5:30-6:30pm | REGISTER HERE

Wednesday, May 27th from 5:30-6:30pm | REGISTER HERE

Not Performing?

Showcase Tickets are now LIVE.

PURCHASE HERE.