Directing Youth Theater: 10 Dos and Don’ts
Directing youth theater is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have as an educator or theater arts person. It is also one of the most challenging. Over the years, I directed hundreds of productions and worked with students of all ages, personalities, and ability levels. Along the way, I learned that successful productions are not built on talent alone. They are built on preparation, patience, leadership, and heart. In this post, I’m sharing 10 practical dos and don’ts I learned from 38 years directing youth theater.
Directing Youth Theater: 10 Dos and Don’ts
1. Begin rehearsal promptly.
Everyone needs to learn that you value their time and yours, too. Don’t wait for late members to arrive. Go ahead and begin rehearsal even if half of the cast is missing. Once they are late once, they will never be late again. You are teaching everyone what you expect.
Directing Youth Theater: 10 Dos and Don’ts
2. Create a Positive First Rehearsal
First impressions matter. Students walk into the first rehearsal excited, nervous, and full of questions. Set the tone immediately with warmth, organization, and enthusiasm.
Explain expectations, introduce the schedule, and help everyone feel welcome.
One of the first things I do in the beginning of rehearsals is to use warm up exercises. Why? It gives students, especially the new ones, a chance to get a feel for the group. Plus, everyone gets over their jitters. It’s difficult to step into a group of people familiar with each other.
Rehearsals Thrive on Structure, Purpose, and Respect for Time
Usually, at the first rehearsal, I lead a movement exercise. The second rehearsal I lead a game. One of my favorites is Name Volleyball. This game forces everyone to learn names quickly. Before the exercise or game I make certain the students understand the reason you selected it. This helps with buy in. If you’d like more information about this game, go to: Name Volleyball,
Nothing unsettles young actors faster than confusion. Be consistent. If you appear disorganized, they may feel unsure for weeks afterward. If rehearsals are planned for 6:30 to 8:30 in the evening, you must end at the time you planned. Parents appreciate the forethought.
Additionally, I only call cast members who are needed for scenes involving large groups. Usually, I get them settled into the blocking first then at the second rehearsal of the scene I concentrate on the chorus. That way, there is less downtime for those in smaller roles.
Directing Youth Theater: 10 Dos and Don’ts
3. Cast with Care
This is one of the most challenging issues you’ll have. If you announce everyone will have a chance to read three times, then you must stick to that plan . Students notice fairness. Additionally, they also observe who reads the most in call backs. At this point, you are already communicating that you are leaning toward a particular person for a role. Usually, I have someone who sits with me and marks on a list every time someone reads. That way, we have a record incase you have a disgruntled auditioner. Be thoughtful, consistent, and encouraging during auditions and callbacks. Do your best to give everyone the same amount of attention.
Whenever possible, find ways for every student to feel valued. I like to double cast productions if I have enough people. If you’d like to know more about how I double cast, check out: Double Casting a Show? Here’s Advice. Nothing damages morale faster than obvious favoritism. Every student deserves respect and attention, whether they have one line or fifty.
Students can be excited and aren’t always aware that others need your attention, too. Decide how you’ll hand that ahead of time. I ask my casts to arrive as early as thirty minutes before rehearsals and use that time for socializing or speaking to me if need be. Then I begin promptly.
4. Keep Rehearsals Moving
Young performers thrive when rehearsals are active and purposeful. Plan transitions, have materials ready, and keep downtime limited. If you focus rehearsal for over thirty minutes, students need a little break before they continue.
Momentum builds confidence. The cast begins to depend upon your expectations and this builds their overall confidence.
Additionally, I pre-block my productions whenever possible. Sometimes, I have the cast write in their blocking before we even stage the scene. One of my biggest pet peeves is expecting young people to know how to block themselves. If a cast needs it, I demonstrate the blocking or walk the movements with them so they understand what I want. They are also expected to practice their lines and blocking at home. Remember: you are teaching them everything—from how to rehearse to how to enter for their curtain call.
5. Teach the Inner Workings of Performing
As mentioned above, many students need to be taught what it looks like to be a part of a production. This includes learning how to wait quietly backstage, hold a script properly, or take notes graciously. Important quick lessons about the reasons to leave props alone is always mentioned. Also, I mentioned that although it is very inviting to spin oneself in the stage curtain or to give unwarranted suggestions they aren’t allowed. 🙂
I like the stage to be swept before I begin rehearsals. Usually, there’s a student very willing to do so. I expect the lady characters to wear character shoes when rehearsing if they will be wearing them in the show. If the males are to wear cowboy boots, I ask them to purchase them as soon as possible so they can become accustomed to wearing them. If a girl wears a long skirt in the show, I ask her to rehearse in a long skirt. Two reasons for this–it helps them to learn how to move gracefully and also builds the character without even having to remind them.
6. Praise Effort and Growth
Not every child will be the strongest singer or actor, but every child can grow. That is the real work of directing—teaching students to stretch themselves, take chances, and keep improving. Celebrate effort, teamwork, bravery, and persistence.
Be careful not to overpraise when directing youth theater. If a group scene feels weak, it is perfectly acceptable to say, “That wasn’t our best. I think we can do much better with that dance number. Let’s try again.” By including yourself, students see that you share responsibility for what needs improvement and that you are still supporting them as they learn.
Recognition Should Be Earned, Thoughtful, and Shared by All
If only the naturally gifted receive recognition, others may feel invisible. I don’t compliment until the show is up. However, I laugh and smile during rehearsal and praise them. Some students only work up to their potential if you are constantly praising them. You don’t want to get into the habit of having to compliment someone just to convince them to do their best. Teach them that hard work is its own reward.
A great director notices and gives attention to everyone. If the cast is large, you could give a positive note to a few students at each rehearsal. These notes can be as simple as, “Sarah, I saw you react to John realistically. Keep that. John your best moment was when you angrily trudged up the staircase. I could tell your character was very angry. ” Students appreciate being noticed and understand you are trying to give everyone a pat on the back.
7. Communicate Clearly with Parents
Parents can be your greatest allies when you keep them informed. Thanks to email and group communication apps. it’s easy to send schedules, costume needs, expectations, and updates early. By the time you are into rehearsals, you should know everyone’s conflicts if they have them. Also, I don’t work around conflicts unless I absolutely have to do so. That’s why I like to double cast! There is usually one of the actors present who can rehearse the scene
Clear communication prevents unnecessary stress. Confusion about rehearsal times, tickets, or costumes can quickly create frustration. Delegate all the extra jobs as much as you can. Inform everyone to communicate with the chair heads if they have a question. Just this one thing will save you loads of time.
8. Build an Ensemble Spirit
Everyone understands that every role matters. Leads, chorus, backstage helpers, and crew all contribute to success.
If possible, require every cast member to spend some time working on the production. I encourage them to attend set construction time, volunteer to sew on a costume or collect props for the properties mistress.
9. Keep Productions Age Appropriate
When directing youth theater, always choose material that fits your cast emotionally, vocally, and developmentally. Remember this is about them, not you. Some directors over pick their production. They have selfish reasons which have nothing to do with the students. I can always tell which director has their head in the game and who is directing to get kudos afterward. Check out these posts if you want some tried and true plays that are always successful when I direct them: 8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time. Success builds confidence. However, the “big title” is not always the best title for your students.
10. Lead Them with Respect
In my thirty-seven years of directing youth theater, I can’t think of one time when cast members bullied another cast member. Even small moments of teasing or unsafe behavior should be addressed quickly and calmly. For some students this is their foray into being a part of a team. We don’t want students to never be involved again because someone made them feel lesser than.
Remember Why Theater Matters
Youth theater builds confidence, empathy, creativity, discipline, and joy. Some students may never perform again after your show. Others may discover a lifelong passion. Either way, you are making a difference.
A good quote for everyone to memorize is, “We strive for perfection, but prepare for errors.” A missed cue or crooked hat will be forgotten. The confidence a child gains on your stage may last forever. Pick up this FREE research lesson about Cynthia Erivo.
Final Thoughts
Great youth theater directors are not simply producing shows—they are shaping young people.
Here’s a story I’ll never forget. One of my middle school students, a very shy girl, volunteered to be my assistant director for a junior version of The Music Man, Jr. When we came up short on cast members for the school board scene, I asked her to take a role. Later, I learned she went home crying because she was certain she would fail.
Instead, she faced her fears and discovered she could perform and entertain an audience. She loved it. Over the next several years, she grew into a confident performer and graduated the program after playing Ariel in The Little Mermaid. She later earned a BFA in performance and now directs and performs around the Kansas City area.
When directing youth theater, sometimes the greatest success story is not the standing ovation—it is the shy child who finally finds their voice.
What advice do you have for a new director? I’d love to learn about it. Feel free to email me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com
