Learn German: Der Regisseur ist nervös, bevor das Stück anfängt. - The director is nervous before the play begins.

The word bevor (before) is a subordinating conjunction. This means it creates a dependent clause and forces the conjugated verb (anfängt) to move to the very end of that clause.

Wait, isn't anfangen a separable verb? Why isn't it split up here?

Yes, anfangen (to begin) is a separable verb. Normally, the prefix an- jumps to the end of the sentence. However, because bevor pushes the conjugated verb to the end of the clause, the core verb and the prefix are forced into the same spot. When this happens, they reconnect and are written as one single word: anfängt.

Do I always need a comma before bevor?

Yes! In German, you must use a comma to separate the main clause (Der Regisseur ist nervös) from a subordinate clause (the part starting with bevor).

I thought das Stück meant "the piece". Why is it translated as "the play" here?

You are right that Stück literally means "piece". However, in the context of acting and performance, it is the standard short way to say das Theaterstück (the play).

Can I use Regisseur for the director of a company?