Final answer:
An average educational or community theater production rehearses for two to six weeks before the opening night. Technical rehearsals start about a week before the opening night, and previews may be held for an extended period for certain productions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The average duration of rehearsals for an educational or community theater production can range from two to six weeks before the scheduled opening night. The length of rehearsals can depend on various factors, such as the size of the production and whether it is a professional or non-professional production.
In addition to the initial rehearsals with the director and cast, there are also technical rehearsals that typically start about a week before the opening night. These rehearsals focus on integrating technical elements like lighting, sound, and set changes.
For commercial theater productions and new plays or musicals, there may be a period of previews where changes can be made based on audience feedback. Previews can last for over a month, especially for Broadway shows.