Our Stories

Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to attend a pit orchestra workshop at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton, which featured the musicians of the touring Hamilton pit orchestra. At this event, I learned all about what happens behind the scenes in the world of theater—details that are not normally seen by the audience, even though they are such a vital part of every show.

One of the highlights of the workshop was working with the music director of the tour, Manny. He explained how the pit operates and what it takes to run a performance as complicated as Hamilton with a small ensemble of only 11 musicians.

At this workshop, I met seven of the musicians, including the banjo/guitar, bass, cello, violin, and viola players. Each of the players shared their “Whys”—the personal stories of why they continue to pursue music. One musician jokingly said their “why” was that they wanted to be a professional hockey player but wasn’t any good at it. Aside from the humor, the majority of the musicians spoke about their passion for creating music and an undying love for their instruments.

They also shared advice for younger musicians wanting to enter the field. One of the biggest pieces of wisdom they offered was to learn new instruments; many professional musicians “double” or even “triple” on instruments, and that versatility can create entirely new opportunities. Another piece of advice that really stuck with me was to “never say no.” Opportunities in music often appear in unexpected places, and saying “yes” can open doors you never knew existed. This advice doesn’t just apply to music, but to everything in life.

We also went in-depth on the drummer’s role in the show. The drummer doesn’t just keep the beat; they actually start the click track that keeps the entire production synchronized. Beyond that, they even cue certain technical elements like blackouts or gunshots. They shared stories about nights they accidentally cued a gunshot during the wrong scene, leaving both the audience and the cast quite confused!

The conductor’s role is equally impressive, and the schedule is rigorous. Manny conducts the show five to six days a week, and he spends his days off at the soundboard making sure the orchestra’s balance is perfect. If the conductor cannot be there and no one is available to step in, the performance simply cannot happen.

A big question from the group was: “How does everyone see the conductor?” In the pit, each musician has a small screen showing the “conductor cam,” while the cast uses monitors mounted on the balconies to follow Manny’s every move.

Another surprising fact we learned was that most rehearsals involve only the cast, not the pit. When the orchestra does have a sound check, it is mostly to ensure the audio remains fresh and balanced. Because of this, almost all practicing is the responsibility of the individual musician.

What makes this even more impressive is how quickly the musicians had to prepare for the tour. The current tour began in August 2024, and the orchestra had only one week of three-hour rehearsals. In that short window, they had to learn the music, coordinate with the production, and prepare to perform perfectly every night.

Hearing their stories and seeing how the pit orchestra functions gave me a completely new appreciation for everything happening below the stage. While the actors quite literally have the spotlight on them, the pit is the heartbeat of the show. This workshop was a reminder that sometimes the most incredible parts of a performance aren’t always seen, but they are always heard.

Written by Amira, Center Stage Student Ambassador