In the context of musical theatre, a sitzprobe is the first rehearsal that actors and musicians have together. Before that point, actors work on their characters and choreography with usually just piano accompaniment. German for “seat-rehearsal”, in a sitzprobe the actors traditionally sit while singing instead of walking through their staging.  The objective of this rehearsal is to merge the two parts of the performance – acting and singing – and coordinate any and all musical cues before adding costumes, choreography, lights and any special effects.

Our Sitzprobe for Spring Awakening at the San Jose Repertory Theatre took place on Friday, August 26th, 2011. Everybody was very excited to finally have all the instruments in one room. But perhaps the most excited was choreographer Sonya Tayeh, who, as soon as the music started, jumped up and started moving to the rhythm (below, wearing black, with grey coat).

After only a few more moments, the entire cast started doing their choreography as they sang. Their bodies had learned the music and dance together, and it was much more enjoyable to do them both at the same time.

One day later, on Saturday, August 27th, we moved into the theatre for tech. And this is what it looks like now.

Spring Awakening performs at the San Jose Repertory Theatre September 1st – 25th, 2011.