A repeater supervises opera and ballet rehearsals, working with the artistic team to develop a consistent vision. They teach steps, work with singers and ensure accuracy and mood. Repeaters can spend years gaining experience and it can take months to prepare a piece for performance.
A repeat tourist or “rehearser” is someone who supervises opera and ballet rehearsals and may also be involved in orchestra rehearsals. Repeaters are very skilled in their field and usually have extensive experience. Some are former performers, others are training to become conductors, and others may pursue lifelong careers as repeaters. People who are interested in becoming repetitive can spend years working to gain experience so they can work in that position.
The precise role of the repeater varies by production and company. He or she works closely with the director, conductor, and other members of the artistic team to develop a vision of what the piece will look like and keep that vision consistent. The repeater is familiar with all music and all parts, and is generally a skilled music player. Many can also play at least one instrument, such as the piano, for use in rehearsals.
In ballet, the repeater teaches the steps and works with the dancers in rehearsal so that they work smoothly together. This can include private training sessions with individual dancers and with the larger group. Repeaters are very focused on ensuring that the steps are executed accurately and that the mood of the piece is revealed in the way the dancers express themselves.
Operational repeaters help singers during rehearsal. The Repetiteur teaches singers their parts and also acts as a vocal coach, going beyond simple teaching to provide advice on how to present the right pitch, tone and emotions in the voice. He or she also makes sure that the singers have the perfect word for their parts and act as promoters in rehearsals as the singers learn their parts. The repeater can usually sing along and fill in for singers who aren’t present, as well as provide an idea of the score on the piano so the singers have music to work with.
Especially in the early stages, artists can mostly work with the repeater. As they become more confident in rehearsals, they can begin to work with other members of the artistic team to pull the piece together, until they get to the point where they are rehearsing in costume on a fully defined stage. It can take months of rehearsals to prepare a piece for performance when it is new, and even when a production is being reassembled it can take several weeks for the performers to reacquaint themselves.
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