Full rehearsal
Meaning
A complete practice session for a performance or event, conducted from start to finish as if it were the actual show.
Origin
The very idea of a 'rehearsal' has roots in ancient Greek drama, where performers would practice their lines and movements long before an audience arrived. Yet, the specific concept of a 'full rehearsal' — a comprehensive, unbroken run of an entire show with all its intricate parts — began to truly crystallize with the professionalization of theatre and musical performance. As productions grew in complexity through the 19th and 20th centuries, involving elaborate sets, lighting, sound, and a larger cast and crew, it became vital to simulate the entire performance. This final, all-encompassing practice became known as the 'full rehearsal,' the moment where all the individual threads of preparation finally weave together into a complete tapestry, revealing any last-minute snags before the curtain rises for real.
Examples
- Before opening night, the cast will run a full rehearsal to ensure every cue and line is perfectly timed.
- The band spent the entire afternoon in a full rehearsal, perfecting their setlist for the upcoming concert.