This should be read by every stage manager

I think what Graeme means is that an eleven-week rehearsal period is a relatively rare luxury. All very well if you're lucky enough to have large numbers turn up for your auditions and are able to assemble your full cast ahead of schedule, and assuming that the theatre/stage is available for you to use for that length of time. It seems to me that the average would be in the region of five to eight weeks, and then your progress is often held up by consistent unavailability of one or more cast members. That's community theatre for you! Per Ardua Ad Astra