To Check-In or Not to Check-In?
Let’s talk about check-ins.
In modern rehearsal rooms, the “check-in” has become a common practice. At its best, a check-in helps build trust, transparency, and connection. But when misused, it can derail a rehearsal, consume valuable time, or place too much emotional labor on others.
What is a check-in?
A check-in is a structured moment, usually at the start of rehearsal, where participants are invited to share something about their current state of mind, body, or capacity. The goal is to contextualize the room. To name how folks are entering the space.
Why do we check-in?
As we talk about check-ins, it’s important to return to the “why” because this is often what gets lost in the sauce.
The purpose of a check-in isn’t just to share how you're feeling. It’s to build awareness and as a segue to focus on the work ahead.
We check in to:
Build awareness. Knowing how your scene partner or crew member is arriving helps you work with them, not around them.
Make room for context. Someone might be quieter than usual, or more distracted, or totally lit up and naming it can prevent misunderstandings.
Ground the work. It’s a moment of collective pause before diving in. It helps shift into the work.
Ultimately, a check-in is a practice of accountability and care, it should serve the work and the people in the room.
When check-ins go off the rails
The success of a check-in depends entirely on the self-awareness and practice of the folks in the room.
I’ve been in rooms where a quick check-in was enough to shift the tone of the rehearsal for the better. I’ve also been in rooms where a single person (often in leadership) uses the check-in as a stage for trauma dumping/ oversharing/ grandstanding, thus derailing the rehearsal before it has even begun.
Check-in formats that might work for you
Here are a few check-in approaches that support clarity, connection, and care without overwhelming the room.
As you explore these, or design your own, remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
Context is everything. Consider who’s in the room, what kind of work lies ahead, and the “vibes” of that particular day. Be flexible. And always allow people the option to “pass” or opt out without explanation.
One Word
Prompt: “Share one word that describes how you’re arriving today.”
Best For:
Large casts or tight timelines
Setting a tone quickly
Early in a process when vulnerability may be low
Why It Works: It’s brief, revealing, and non-invasive. One word can hold a lot of information without oversharing.
I use this one as a check-out practice as well.
Color Check-In
Prompt: “What colour are you today, and why (optional)?”
Best For:
Creative/abstract groups
When you want emotional awareness without direct disclosure
Groups with mixed verbal confidence levels
Why It Works: Encourages metaphor and avoids direct language, making it accessible and expressive.
Weather Report
Prompt: “What’s your internal weather today?”
Best For:
Groups familiar with each other
Days with charged or heavy energy
Why It Works: Invites poetic imagery and gentle emotional framing without inviting problem-solving.
Capacity Rating
Prompt: “On a scale of 1 to 10, where is your energy or focus today?”
Best For:
Physically or emotionally demanding rehearsals
Tech week, long days, or overlapping commitments
Transparent capacity planning
Why It Works: Offers clarity without explanation, allowing leaders to adjust expectations or redistribute tasks.
Process-Oriented
Prompt: “What’s one thing you’re hoping to accomplish or focus on today?”
Best For:
Mid-to-late rehearsal periods
Task-heavy or goal-specific rehearsals
Groups already familiar with each other
Why It Works: Keeps check-ins directly tied to the work, which is especially helpful when momentum matters. It provides a point of focus.
Embodied Check-In
Prompt: “How is your body arriving today?”
(Optional: Pair with a gesture.)
Best For:
Movement-based work
Non-verbal or low-verbal rooms
Early morning rehearsals or after long breaks
Why It Works: Taps into physical presence, increases self-awareness, and can shift the group into their bodies.
In or Out
Prompt: “Are you in or out today. What do you need to get more in?”
Best For:
Intense or high-stakes rehearsals
Honest conversations about engagement
Work where emotional presence is essential
Why It Works: It invites agency and transparency, while giving people room to self-manage.
Private Check-In with a Visual Aid
Prompt: Provide cards or a chart with options like “low energy,” “excited,” “anxious,” “distracted,” etc., and allow participants to point or place a token.
Best For:
Neurodivergent participants
Trauma-informed spaces
Early in a process or in rooms where verbal check-ins are overwhelming
Why It Works: Offers non-verbal access to the same insights without public speaking.
Yes/No Check
Prompt: “Yes or no: I feel ready to start rehearsal.” Or “Thumbs up, thumbs down”.
Best For:
Days when you need to start fast
Times when the group feels unsettled
Why It Works: Extremely fast. Flags readiness or hesitancy without demanding explanations.
A note on boundaries and self-awareness
It’s vital to take care of your mental health outside the room and arrive ready to engage.
If you’re in leadership, model brevity and respect.
If you’re a participant, ask yourself: Is what I’m about to share helpful to the process, or am I seeking something else?
The best check-ins are about tuning in.