French for Rehearsals: Setting Feedback Boundaries Politely
Learn to ask for focused feedback in French amateur theatre: request comments on diction, not acting, and state what you need to work on.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In a French amateur troupe, feedback can be generous but unfocused. To get useful notes, you need to steer the conversation politely but firmly. This lesson teaches you to ask for specific feedback—for example, on your diction rather than your acting—and to state what you are currently working on. You will learn reusable phrases that sound natural in rehearsal, whether you are speaking to a director, a fellow actor, or a stage manager. The goal is not to reject feedback but to channel it so it helps you improve. We will focus on polite assertiveness: using conditional forms like 'j'aimerais' and 'je préférerais', and framing requests as collaboration. You will also practice asking staff for practical information without assuming policies. By the end, you will be able to set clear boundaries while maintaining a cooperative tone.
By the end, you can…
- ask for feedback on a specific aspect of my performance, such as diction, using polite French.
- state what I am currently working on and what kind of notes would help me most.
- respond to unsolicited feedback by redirecting it to my chosen focus area.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
J'aimerais des retours sur ma diction, pas sur mon jeu.
I would like feedback on my diction, not on my acting.
zhay-muh-RAY duh ruh-TOOR sewr ma deek-SYON, pah sewr mon zhuh
Use this when you want to narrow the focus. 'Retours' is common in professional and amateur contexts; 'commentaires' is also possible but slightly more formal.
Là, je travaille surtout la prononciation. Tu peux me dire si c'est clair ?
Right now, I'm mainly working on pronunciation. Can you tell me if it's clear?
lah, zhuh tra-VYE sewr-TOO la pro-non-sya-SYON. tew puh muh deer see say KLER?
Use 'tu' with peers; use 'vous' with a director you don't know well or in a formal setting. This phrase invites targeted feedback.
Je préférerais qu'on se concentre sur le rythme pour l'instant.
I would prefer that we focus on rhythm for now.
zhuh pray-fay-RER kuh ton suh kon-SAHN-truh sewr luh REETM poor lahn-STAHN
This politely redirects the conversation. 'Pour l'instant' softens the request, implying you are open to other notes later.
Est-ce que tu pourrais me faire un retour sur ma posture, et pas sur le texte ?
Could you give me feedback on my posture, and not on the text?
ess-kuh tew poo-RAY muh fair un ruh-TOOR sewr ma pos-TEWR, ay pah sewr luh TEKST?
Use this to request a specific technical note. 'Faire un retour' is a common collocation in French rehearsal settings.
Pour l'instant, j'ai besoin de travailler ma respiration. Des conseils là-dessus ?
For now, I need to work on my breathing. Any advice on that?
poor lahn-STAHN, zhay buh-ZWAN duh tra-vah-YAY ma res-pee-ra-SYON. day kon-SAY lah-duh-SEW?
This states your current need and asks for help. 'Là-dessus' means 'on that topic' and keeps the focus narrow.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To set a boundary politely, use 'J'aimerais' or 'Je préférerais' followed by the desired focus, then 'pas sur' to exclude what you don't want. For example: 'J'aimerais des retours sur ma diction, pas sur mon jeu.' This structure is assertive but not aggressive because the conditional softens the request. You can also use 'Je voudrais' but it is slightly more direct. Another pattern is 'Est-ce que tu pourrais me faire un retour sur X, et pas sur Y ?' This turns the request into a question, giving the other person a clear choice. In French, the preposition 'sur' is used for the topic of feedback, similar to 'on' in English. Avoid literal translations like 'à propos de' which sound less natural in this context.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are in a rehearsal and someone starts giving you notes that are too broad or not what you need at the moment. For example, if the director says 'Ton personnage manque de profondeur', you can reply: 'Merci, mais pour l'instant je travaille ma diction. Tu peux me dire si mes liaisons sont correctes ?' This redirects while acknowledging the note. It is also useful when you ask a fellow actor for help: 'Là, je bosse mon accent. Tu peux me reprendre si je fais une erreur ?' Note that 'bosser' is informal for 'travailler'; use 'travailler' in more formal contexts. With staff, such as a stage manager, you might ask: 'Est-ce que vous savez où je peux trouver des exercices de diction ?' This requests information without assuming they have a ready answer. Always use 'vous' with staff unless they invite 'tu'.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Alors, ce passage, tu l'as senti comment ?
So, how did you feel about that passage?ah-LOR, suh pah-SAHZH, tew lah sahn-TEE koh-MAHN?J'aimerais des retours sur ma diction, pas sur mon jeu. Là, je travaille les liaisons.
I'd like feedback on my diction, not on my acting. Right now, I'm working on liaisons.zhay-muh-RAY duh ruh-TOOR sewr ma deek-SYON, pah sewr mon zhuh. lah, zhuh tra-VYE lay lyay-ZON.D'accord. Sur ce passage, tu as bien fait la liaison 'les amis', mais attention à 'vous avez'.
Okay. On this passage, you did the liaison 'les amis' well, but watch out for 'vous avez'.dah-KOR. sewr suh pah-SAHZH, tew ah byan fay la lyay-ZON 'lay zah-MEE', may ah-tahn-SYON ah 'voo zah-VAY'.Merci, c'est exactement ce que je cherchais. Je note.
Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for. I'll make a note.mair-SEE, say teg-zak-tuh-MAHN suh kuh zhuh shair-SHAY. zhuh NOT.A little context goes a long way
In French amateur theatre, feedback is often given freely and can be perceived as helpful rather than intrusive. However, it is perfectly acceptable to steer the conversation toward your current focus. Using conditional forms like 'j'aimerais' and 'je préférerais' maintains politeness while asserting your needs. Avoid blunt refusals like 'Non, je ne veux pas' which can sound harsh. Instead, frame your request as a way to improve more effectively. Regional differences: in Quebec, 'retour' is common, but you may also hear 'commentaire'; in France, 'retour' is widely used in professional contexts. Always use 'vous' with directors or staff unless they suggest 'tu'.
One thing to watch for
Translating 'I want feedback on my diction, not on my acting' as 'Je veux des retours sur ma diction, pas sur mon jeu.'
Try this instead: While grammatically correct, 'Je veux' can sound demanding. Use 'J'aimerais' or 'Je voudrais' to soften. For example: 'J'aimerais des retours sur ma diction, pas sur mon jeu.' This is more appropriate in a collaborative rehearsal setting.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask a fellow actor for feedback on your pronunciation, not your acting, using 'tu'?
Show a sample answer
Est-ce que tu pourrais me faire un retour sur ma prononciation, et pas sur mon jeu ?
This uses the conditional 'pourrais' to make a polite request and specifies the focus. You could also say 'J'aimerais des retours sur ma prononciation, pas sur mon jeu.' Both are correct; the first is slightly more indirect.
2You are working on breathing and want advice. How do you say that politely?
Show a sample answer
Pour l'instant, j'ai besoin de travailler ma respiration. Des conseils là-dessus ?
This states your current need and asks for help. 'Là-dessus' keeps the focus narrow. Alternatively, you could say 'Tu aurais des conseils pour la respiration ?' which is also polite.
3A director gives you a note on your character's emotions, but you are focusing on diction. How do you redirect?
Show a sample answer
Merci, mais pour l'instant je travaille ma diction. Tu peux me dire si mes liaisons sont correctes ?
This acknowledges the note with 'Merci' and redirects with 'mais pour l'instant'. It then asks a specific question. You could also use 'Je préférerais qu'on se concentre sur ma diction pour l'instant.' Both are polite and assertive.
To set feedback boundaries in French rehearsal, use conditional forms like 'j'aimerais' and 'je préférerais' to politely specify what you want feedback on—and what you don't. State your current focus clearly, and ask targeted questions to keep the notes useful.
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