repertory

Repertory, also spelled repertory in some varieties of English, is a noun that denotes a stock, collection, or range of works that a company, performer, or institution can draw upon. It can refer to a catalog of plays, musical works, or other performances, as well as to the organization that presents such a collection. The term is often used in contrast to a single, continuous program, highlighting the idea of a rotating or prepared set of pieces.

In theatre, a repertory company or repertory theatre presents a number of different plays in rotation, typically performing several productions over a season with a resident company. This arrangement emphasizes versatility and a flexible schedule, as actors may take on multiple roles across different works. Repertory theatres have historically been associated with delivering a varied season, rather than a single play running for an extended period.

Distinctions with repertoire: while repertoire (with -oire) more commonly denotes the entire set of works that a performer or group is prepared to present, repertory (with -ory) often refers to the stock itself or the institution that maintains and rotates that stock. The two terms are related but are used in slightly different contexts, with repertoire focusing on the collection and repertory emphasizing the organized body of works or the performing company.

Other uses of repertory can appear in fields such as library science or the medical arts, where it may denote a catalog, index, or reference collection of items or symptoms used for consultation and study.