Broadway Sitzprobe
A sitzprobe is a rehearsal where the cast of the show comes together with the orchestra or musicians to sing and play through the show’s music. There are no costumes, no dance, no lines, just the music, as if they were recording an album. It’s an opportunity for the musicians and the cast to get to know each other, to make sure they are working as a team and understand the musical cues and sounds they will experience during the show.
USC School of Dramatic Arts professor Elsbeth Collins says, “Usually, it precedes the first dress rehearsal and follows an orchestra or pit rehearsal, which is a read-through of the score with the full orchestra and conductor.” In this image, Rodgers conducts an orchestra rehearsal to ensure the music for South Pacific is a success.
