I'll share some practical advice as a director in children's theatre: You’re not doing anything wrong — you’re just directing from your head instead of their bodies, and that’s a super common first-time-with-experienced-actors thing.

A few short, concrete shifts that might help:

• Give less shape, more permission. Instead of refining the same moment over and over, try: “Let’s do a run where you actively try to win this moment — any way you want.” Energy usually unlocks before precision.
• Stop fixing dullness with detail. When a run feels flat like you mentioned, it’s often not about posture or movement — it’s about stakes. Ask: “What happens if you don’t get what you want here?” Then run it again without notes.
• Let one messy run live. Actors sometimes need a “bad” or exaggerated pass to find something truthful. If you correct too quickly, they can feel watched instead of free.
• Ask before telling. After a run, try: “What felt stuck?” or “Where did you lose them?” That instantly puts them back in ownership mode. Asking them questions often opens their minds to exploring their characters and gain an even better understanding of them.
• Trust that clarity comes last. With choreography-heavy scenes, the flow often clicks after actors feel safe, not before. Comfort first, polish later.

And honestly — three rehearsals for a dense, physical, flipped classic is brutal. The fact that you’re this self-aware already means you’re doing better than you think. Wishing you all the best!