repetities

Repetities are structured practice sessions intended to prepare a performance or a piece of repertoire. The term is used most often in the performing arts—theatre, music, and dance—but it can also refer to organized practice in other collaborative activities. Rehearsals are typically guided by a director or conductor and involve performers, designers, and a stage manager who coordinates schedules and notes. The goal is to improve coordination, timing, and overall quality before public presentation.

Rehearsal work usually progresses through several stages. Read-throughs or script studies establish text and intent; blocking sessions set where actors move on stage; music rehearsals synchronize tempo and ensemble; technical rehearsals integrate lighting, sound, props, and cues; and dress rehearsals simulate the actual performance with costumes and make-up. Some productions also include run-throughs without interruptions to rehearse pacing and transitions.

Practice and rehearsal rely on collaboration and feedback. The director or conductor provides notes, the stage manager tracks the schedule, and designers refine elements of scenery, lighting, and sound. Repetities can be held repeatedly for a production's life cycle, from pre-production through previews and the performance run, to ensure consistency and adaptability to changes.

Historically, repetitive practice has been central to performance arts, with the term répetition borrowed from French. In Dutch usage, repetitive practice remains a core mechanism for learning, refining technique, and building ensemble cohesion across generations of performers.