Using an iPad in rehearsal.

I'm currently rehearsing a production of Measure for Measure right now, one thing about this rehearsal process that's interesting for me is I have chosen not to print and physically highlight my script, instead i am working exclusively on my iPad.

I know plenty of actors and directors with differing opinions on how much we should allow technology to be a part of our process. Opinions range between these two stances;

-- A tablet is no different from a cellphone and has no place in the rehearsal room. It is a distraction. You cannot move about on stage with a $500 piece of technology in your hand as you can with a pile of papers. Simply using your physical script is fine, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

OR

-- A tablet is a great enhancement to the rehearsal process. It saves paper, saves weight, and allows highlighting and notes just as well as paper and markers. You can use the tablet to record songs or make video of dances you need to learn. The tablet can serve as the one device that has everything you need for rehearsal on it. As long as you're not playing games or surfing the web when you should be working, their's nothing wrong with rehearsing with a tablet.

Now, lets assume you are working with a director who doesn't treat you like a twelve year old and lets you use a tablet and/or simply doesn't care as long as you do your job. I thought i'd make some bullet points on how to maximize your efficiency while you use your tablet in rehearsal.

* There's an app for that, so use it.
Don't just throw the script PDF on the device and start rehearsing. Spend a little dough and get a good reading/annotating app, if your using an iPad i recommend "goodreader", it will read just about anything you throw at it, and has tons of options for highlighting and annotating, it even lets you create a duplicate file so you can keep a clean version of the script, without all the notes and highlights.

* Set up the device before you get to rehearsal.
Turn the ringer off, turn wi-fi off, turn the brightness to the best level to read by lock the screen orientation to portrait. Make sure you fiddle with the settings before you get into the room so you aren't fiddling with settings when you should be working. One of the advantages of a tablet over a computer is you can completely focus on one task without alerts, system messages, or other distractions, so do yourself a favor and nip those things in the bud.

* Be a professional
When you're in rehearsal, the iPad is your script. Just because you're not rehearsing at the moment doesn't mean you get to fool around. Don't show a friend a Youtube video, don't start throwing birds at pigs, and certainly don't go on Facebook or Twitter or any other social media.

* It's a privilege, not a right.
Make sure you get a clear stance from your director or other supervisor on whether or not you may use the tablet in rehearsal. The director and/or producer has final say on how rehearsals are going to be conducted. Don't fight them on it, if they want everyone working off of paper scripts, thats how its going to be. Making a fuss is going to ensure you a invitation to leave the production, or ensure you won't work with this director or anyone on his production team again.

* There are some places where it's just not appropriate.
If the production team has sent you sides to read for an audition, just print em' out. Walking in with an iPad is just awkward and unprofessional. Also, if you are handing sheet music to an accompanist for a musical theater audition, they are expecting a binder with pages in plastic sleeves, don't complicate this process with something that is un-nessesary. You want them thinking about you and how well you auditioned, not how annoying it was to play music off an iPad screen.