An intermission or interval is a break between two parts of performances or sessions, in events such as a theatrical play, opera or musical concert. A play, or stageplay, is a form of Literature written by a Playwright, almost always consisting of Dialogue between Fictional characters Opera is an art form in which Singers and Musicians perform a Dramatic work (called an opera which combines a text (called a Libretto A concert is a live Performance, usually of Music, before an Audience. Sometimes there is also an intermission (break) in the showing of a film, in particular if it is a long film. Cinemaaustraliajpg|thumb|A movie theater in Australia ]]A movie theater, movie theatre, picture theatre or cinema is a venue A play or opera may have several intermissions, depending on its length.

Originally intended with breaks for the actors or speakers in mind, intermissions have become an opportunity for the audience to socialise, purchase and consume refreshments, or use the restrooms. They are also often an opportunity for the audience to buy items related to the show such as CDs, high-quality programmes, art/photography prints and other paraphernalia. As a result, intermissions can have an important financial function for some venues. Some halls allow patrons to return to their seats with purchased refreshments.

Intermissions usually last between 15 to 30 minutes, and there are different methods to signal to the audience to return to their seats. The traditional method at an opera or symphonic concert is to flash the house lights several times, or to have a person with a handheld glockenspiel walk about the crowd, playing a four note chime. The glockenspiel ( German, "set of bells quot or "play-bells" also known as orchestra bells and in its portable In more modern theatres, a brief chime through the PA system is used. A public address or " PA " system is an electronic amplification system with a mixer, Amplifier and Loudspeakers used to

An intermission is also often billed as an entr'acte, derived from the French meaning "between the acts". Entr'acte is French for "between the acts" (German Zwischenspiel, Italian Intermezzo) French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people

The intermission between the second and third quarter of American football games is called halftime. During regular games, the cheerleaders of the different teams usually perform for their side of the stadium. During the Super Bowl, elaborate halftime shows are also performed. professional American football, the Super Bowl is the Championship game of the National Football League (NFL Intermissions, in ice hockey, are breaks between the three periods of play. Ice hockey, often referred to simply as hockey, is a team Sport played on Ice.