Read-through

The excerpt in the theater is usually the first sample or sample phase with the gathered ensemble at the beginning of a trial period, in which the entire piece with assigned roles is read. In addition, it also serves as an introduction to the sample work on a particular scene.

The reading test is done at the table and assumes that all participants (director, dramaturg, assistant directors, actors) have the same text in front of him. It is used mainly to fill in the lines and the discussion of ambiguity. Furthermore, it gives a first impression of the cast of characters as well as the temporal proportions of the text being read. Before reading sample, it is not customary to learn the roles, but the reputation of the piece is provided. - Traditional following the reading sample, the reference sample.

In publishing also free excerpts from books or magazines are called Extract.