Actor Resources

Actors are doing a lot at once. Memorizing lines, learning choreography, managing costumes, staying hydrated, and somehow getting out the door with everything they need.

This page is built for school, youth, and community theatre actors, and the parents helping them get to rehearsal on time and prepared. These are practical tools, habits, and small gear choices that make rehearsals smoother and performances less stressful.

Everything here is useful.

🎭 Actor Kit Basics

  • Reusable Water Bottle
    Hydration matters more than you think, especially during long rehearsals and tech week. A durable bottle that can handle being dropped is ideal.

  • Pencil (and a backup)
    For notes, blocking changes, and last-minute updates. Pens bleed. Pencils forgive mistakes.

  • Highlighter
    Useful for marking lines, cues, and reminders without rewriting half the script.

  • Script Bag
    A water resistant zipper pouch keeps your script and the notes in it clean and dry. It can also keep your pencil and highlighter neatly organized with it!

Every actor benefits from having a small personal kit they bring to rehearsal and performances. These are the items that cover the basics and prevent unnecessary scrambling.

Rehearsal & Performance Prep

These tools help actors show up ready, take notes efficiently, and recover between rehearsals.

  • Portable Phone or Tablet Stand
    Keeps scripts, music, or choreography videos visible without needing to hold a device the entire time.

  • Compact Notebook
    For director notes, blocking reminders, and the things you swear you will remember later but never do.

  • Lip Balm
    Dry lips happen fast under stage lights. This one item gets borrowed constantly, so label it.

  • Hair Ties or Clips
    Even if hair is styled for the show, rehearsals often require it out of the way.

Clothing & Comfort

Rehearsals are physical. Being comfortable helps actors focus on the work instead of distractions.

  • Comfortable Rehearsal Shoes
    Shoes that allow movement and support long periods on your feet. Save costume shoes for when they are actually needed.

  • Layered Clothing
    Rehearsal spaces fluctuate wildly in temperature. Layers prevent distraction and complaints.

  • Deodorant
    Not optional. Especially during tech week. (the stink came upon us at age 8 - check ‘em young my friends…)

Backstage & Show Day Essentials

These items help actors stay calm, focused, and ready once performances begin.

  • Small Personal Bag
    Holds essentials without taking up unnecessary space backstage.

  • Snacks (non-messy, quiet)
    Think protein bars or crackers. Avoid anything noisy, sticky, or strongly scented.

  • Label Everything
    Costumes, shoes, water bottles, bags. If it is not labeled, it may not come back.

  • Reusable Water Bottle (yes again - SO important)
    Hydration matters more than you think, especially during long rehearsals and tech week. A durable bottle that can handle being dropped is ideal.

Note: Helping an actor prepare is less about doing everything for them and more about creating routines. A consistent kit, packed the same way each time, builds confidence and independence.

Prepared actors are calm actors. Calm actors have fun.