Every year, the Bowie’s Starlight Theater Company puts on an exciting main-stage musical. Audiences typically only pay attention to the story the actors tell on stage, but what they don’t see is all of the action going on behind the curtain. While meticulously choreographed scenes take place in front of the curtain, backstage is abuzz with costumes, lights, sound, props, and set.
One of the most crucial parts of the musical process is the actual music. In past years, the Starlight Theater Company’s musical has featured live performances from Bowie’s Fine Arts Department, made up of members from choir, orchestra, and band. Incorporating live music can, at times, be frustrating for the band members, directors, and actors, but it provides a great learning experience for students involved. When an actor works with pre-recorded music, it can be easy to memorize the tempo and rhythm, but when they work with a live band, they must learn how to follow along on the spot.
Every year, the cast of the musical has a sitzprobe, where they sit down with the band and work together to run through music and get a feel for what the performance will sound like. Even with significant practice time, anything can happen in a performance; tempo can get off, mics can go out, and actors can get thrown off and must learn to recover on the spot.
A live band can strengthen performers by teaching them to adjust their voice, tempo, and rhythm on the fly. It also teaches them how to fix a mistake and keep moving forward. All of the musical participants can learn a tremendous amount from one another.
While the live band spends most of their year learning how to produce many different types of music, the musical is a unique experience for them. Learning how to follow along with the actors and their lines can be tricky because they have to know every cue for a two-hour show.
For example, having the sitzprobe is helpful, but it cuts about two to three rehearsal days for the actors, which can make a huge difference when it comes to assembling a musical. Having a live band can also create more complications with the sound booth. With tracks, they can easily turn the volume up and down, but with a band, they must ensure everything is balanced while maintaining consistent volume.
Having a live band can cause stress for the actors because runs are often unpredictable. Although having a live band adds a level of difficulty, it teaches students valuable lessons like working with others, being quick on their feet, and fixing mistakes while maintaining a positive mindset. Even though tracks are simpler and more predictable, a live band can give students skills for the future.
