Stückzeiten

Stückzeiten is a term used in German-language dramaturgy and performance studies to denote the temporal dimension of a theatrical work. It refers to the duration of the piece as performed and to how time is represented on stage during the production.

The concept encompasses both the real-time duration of the performance (the clock time from beginning to end) and the internal time of the narrative as staged, including rhythm, pauses, and pacing created by the structure of acts, scenes, and intermissions. It also covers how time may be manipulated within a play, such as through time jumps, flashbacks, or stretched moments, and how these choices affect the audience’s perception of the piece.

In practice, Stückzeiten are a key consideration in dramaturgy, directing, and production planning. They influence scheduling, rehearsal pacing, and the overall experience of the performance. Analysts use the concept to examine how tempo and temporal structure shape narrative clarity, emotional impact, and audience engagement.

Related concepts include Bühnenzeit (on-stage time), erzählerische Zeit (narrative time), and Zeitregie (time management in staging). While the term appears most frequently in German-speaking theatre discourse, its concerns—how time is measured, presented, and perceived in performance—are part of broader discussions of time in drama and film.