If it involves any type of stunt work, I would bite the bullet and either push the shoot or find the Money for a 6th or 7th day- if those 6th or 7th days are going to cause any increased chance of risk by not having enough rest time off, a push is the only answer.

I believe that the first thing to do is assessing the need, i.e. clearly define why additional rehearsal time is necessary. Once (and if) the need is clear to all people involved, I would then proceed as follows: - Look at the existing schedule and prioritize tasks and activities. Determine if any can be rescheduled, shortened, or combined to free up time - Starting earlier or finishing later on certain days (if some extra budget is available) - Postponing less critical tasks, if possible - Be open to feedback and flexible in finding a mutually acceptable solution - Acknowledge the efforts and sacrifices of the team - Document Agreements: this helps prevent misunderstandings and encourages accountability.

To negotiate additional rehearsal time in a fully booked schedule, emphasize the importance of a dynamic set that enhances performance without cluttering the stage. Highlight how interactive backdrops and backgrounds, such as steps and doors leading backstage, improve immersion and scene transitions. Stress the need for actors to have space to move freely and navigate the set safely, which requires practice. Additional rehearsal time is crucial for integrating props and furniture smoothly, avoiding disruptions. Present a detailed plan for using the extra time efficiently, showing its direct impact on the performance's quality and safety.

Having your cast feel safe, trust their physical and emotional well-being to you, and have them give of themselves in the ways we are asking them to requires us as artistic leaders to advocate for them. When asking for additional rehearsal time, these are the things to emphasize to producing leadership teams so they can see themselves in the outcome. Example: Maybe the fence that has to be climbed didn't get put up until late in the game. We cannot send this team out to do the amazing work they do if we haven't set them up for success. Side note: If we don't do these things, the company could be paying for medical or workman's comp claims down the road. Do the right thing, always.

In addition to the need for physical space to practically explore and work on the scene, I believe actors should be empowered to think about rehearsals that can happen without a director being in front of them. TM Crawford calls this the subrehearsal- the work outside of sessions formally and informally; independently or with scene partners: chats, thinking, consolidating. The late great Antony Sher believed that his rehearsals always started from the minute he picked up his script. Obviously physical space is needed and an outside eye, but there are other ways to ‘think’ about what a rehearsal actually is,

I have never known a good actor who objected to extra rehearsal. Very often you as the director have to protect their energy. Rehearse late with your actors permission but insist on standard breaks even in extra time. You can't force your actors to work longer hours or your technicians for that matter. Consent and actor/crew empowerment is crucial.

If additional rehearsal is needed for a specific moment/scene it might be best to try to book an additional space - ideally in the same area if not the same building. That way the AD can run larger sections while the additional, detailed work is achieved alongside. This keeps the production on schedule and doesn't extend the actors hours. Although I appreciate that additional budget might be needed to cover this in some cases.

Back during my performance on The Addams Family Musical. We had an interactive background that represented the Addams Household. It had photos that would roll up where the ancestors would enter the stage, stars that could be safely used, and doors that led to the back so actors could get ready for the next scene. Your sets are just as important as the show itself and it's important to understand that. This is just one of many great examples.

Finding alternative rehearsal spaces can help alleviate scheduling conflicts with your venue. For example, if your venue is already booked and you need to rehearse intimate scenes, it may not be practical to try to secure additional rehearsal time there. In such cases, consider renting smaller, more affordable spaces for those specific rehearsals. This approach has proven successful for me in the past.

Theater: If you need additional rehearsal time, there can be a number of reasons for this. If the theater is to blame because it is sloppy or has planned poorly, then the theater must take care of it. Every head planner in an artistic operations office knows the possibilities in which additional rehearsal times can be negotiated in the theater. But if you are experienced, you should concentrate on making the most of the time you have available. Often, there is a lot of uncertainty involved when you ask for more time. In Germany, there are between 5-8 weeks of rehearsal time, which is often enough if you plan your own rehearsals tightly and work with concentration from the start.