The dress rehearsal is a full-scale rehearsal shortly before the first performance where the actors and/or musicians perform every detail of the performance. Dress rehearsal is often the final rehearsal before the premiere.^[1]

For a theatrical performance, cast members wear their costumes. The actors may use props and entities and use scripts the stage manager and director might do so aswell.

For a musical performance, the dress rehearsal does not require wearing formal concert outfits (such as, tuxedos and gowns). In music, the dress rehearsal is the final rehearsal before the performance;^[2] initial rehearsals will often involve working on challenging sections of the piece or pieces, but during the dress rehearsal, the piece or pieces are typically played in their entirety.

For a dance performance, the dress rehearsal is the final rehearsal of a live show shortly before the show. It is a rehearsal conducted as if it were a live performance to ensure perfection for the actual show.^[3]