Podcasts by Life in the Pit

78. Arranging Pop Songs for ”&Juliet” - Dominic Fallacaro from 2023-06-23T06:00

"& Juliet" is a musical reimagining of Romeo and Juliet with a different fate for Juliet, all told with music from the legendary song writer Max Martin, whose songs have made the charts when sun...

77a. Resolution? Local 802 AFM and Here Lies Love from 2023-06-09T21:52:05

This is a brief follow-up to Episode 77 with Jason Loffredo, where we talked about the conflict of the new show, Here Lies Love, wanting to open with only pre-recorded tracks in a union theatre ...

77. Local 802 AFM and Here Lies Love -Jason Loffredo from 2023-06-02T06:00

After a longer than intended hiatus, Life in the Pit is back for a couple of episodes this month.  This was an impromptu meant to address an ongoing conflict between the Local 802 AFM (the union...

TRAILER for The Musician Toolkit with David Lane from 2022-12-27T15:17:29

LIFE IN THE PIT listeners, here is the trailer for David Lane's new podcast.  If you'd like to add this to your podcasts, you can find all available apps at Listen

75. Dare to Be Seen: Taming Performance Anxiety - Elisa Di Napoli from 2022-10-07T05:00

Whether you're in the pit or any kind of musician who has to perform to an expected standard, you may often or even occasionally struggle with stage fright or performance anxiety.  Elisa Di Napo...

74. Managing a Theatre Company - Marci Shegogue from 2022-09-23T05:00

Marci Shegogue is a music director and keyboardist who has been active for decades in the Maryland/DC area. In 2018, she started the Free Theatre in Silver Spring, MD ( Listen

72. Subbing on Percussion for Broadway - Dennis J. Arcano from 2022-07-01T05:00

Dennis J. Arcano has played for several dozen shows including the national tour of Tick, Tick,...Boom! as drummer and assistant music director.  He is also frequently a sub on drums and percussi...

71. NAMM experience and Community Theatre Musician Compensation from 2022-06-17T05:00

Episode 71 begins with David Lane reporting on his very fun first-time experience at NAMM 2022 in Anaheim.  Then he brings up a topic that might be uncomforta...

70a. BONUS: Story of a Big Break - Angela McCuiston from 2022-05-31T05:00

This is a follow up to Episode 70 with Angela McCuiston Listen

70. Strength Training and Injury Prevention for Musicians - Angela McCuiston from 2022-05-27T05:00

We might not be discussing performance on Episode 70, but don't skip this week, because a reported 90% of musicians will go through some kind of performance-related injury in their career.  Ange...

Bonus: Nurturing Your Network or How to Book Your Pit (and not) from 2022-05-20T12:46:32

If you're a musician in any field, your network is paramount!  If you're a music director who works a local market and are responsible for filling chairs in the pit for your production, are you ...

69. Into the Woods - Jeff Saver, music director from 2022-05-13T05:00

Jeff Saver took over music directing sometime around 1988 during the original Broadway run of Into The Woods.  He talks about his experiences with that production, his friendship with the late g...

68. 14 Habits to Improve your Music Career from 2022-04-29T05:00

A lot of talented musicians sit around waiting for work, or struggle with plateauing.  Whether you're just getting started or you've been a professional freelance musician for a while and just n...

67. Annie and All That Jazz - Arnold Gross, music director and pianist from 2022-04-15T05:00

Arnold "Arnie" Gross began his professional career as a pianist, and that included working on shows such as Company and Cabaret.  For over 5 years, he was the music director for the original Bro...

66a Listener Questions - To Accept the Gig or Not, Time Management from 2022-04-01T05:00

This is the first listener-generated episode, where David Lane answers two questions:

The first question is asking about the pros and cons of accepting a theatre gig that doesn't pay much...

66. The Lightning Thief Musical - Rob Rokicki from 2022-03-22T05:00

Rob Rokicki is a composer, lyricist, and orchestrator - including the musical adaptation of The Lightning Thief which had a short Broadway run but is currently very popular in local theaters aro...

65. Financial Basics for Freelance Musicians - Samantha Absher from 2022-03-11T05:00

Many musicians are their own employers, to a small extent if not entirely, making a significant of their portion from freelance gigs.  While the vast majority of them are great at their instrume...

Bonus Episode 64a: Recent Audition Accompanist Stories from 2022-03-08T11:04:14

This is a brief follow-up to Episode 64 with Jose Simbulan where we talked about being an audition accompanist. Host David Lane has been doing a lot of audition accompanying this week for two co...

64. Being an Accompanist for Auditions - Jose Simbulan from 2022-02-25T05:00

Jose Simbulan has had a long successful career as a pianist, keyboardist, and music director, including a stint on Broadway.  He has also accompanied no fewer than 35,000 actor auditions, many o...

63. The Business of Private Teaching - Eric Branner from 2022-02-11T05:00

Very very few pit musicians can make the pit their only source of income.  A significant number rely at least a little if not a lot on teaching their instrument, and many of them do it privately...

62. Grad School in a Pandemic - Tanner Harrod: composer, guitarist, hornist from 2022-01-21T05:00

Making connections, moving to a new community, studying music in a doctoral program, continuing to play for theatre productions: All of these things are difficult enough separately, but when you...

What’s New in 2022 for LIFE IN THE PIT from 2021-12-31T05:00

Happy New Year, everyone!  Life In the Pit isn't going anywhere in 2022, but the format is changing to add different perspectives that branch outside of theatrical productions.  We're not changi...

61. Touring with the JCS 50 - Joe LaRocca, reeds from 2021-11-19T05:00

Like so many theatre musicians, Joe LaRocca's path to his first Equity national tour, the currently-traveling 50th anniversary tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, was far from linear.  At times, he ...

A Story of Failure and the Lessons Learned from 2021-10-15T05:00

LIFE IN THE PIT is full of success stories from musicians around the world!  Today's episode, however, is a story of failure.  It's a personal story from host David Lane who recently was let go ...

60. The Broadway Trumpeter - Paul Baron, Trumpet from 2021-10-01T05:00

Paul Baron has had a career in both theatre and in commercial recordings, including the first national tours of Evita, Cats, The Full Monty, In the Heights, Spamalot, and currently Frozen.  He i...

Interlude: 9/11, Pandemic, and Thoughts on Practice from 2021-09-10T05:00

This is an improvised, random mini-episode with David Lane giving some thoughts on the 20th anniversary 9/11 and some personal thoughts based on recent experiences with COVID.  If you're only he...

59. Community Theatre Musicians - Jeff Ingle, percussionist, contractor from 2021-08-27T05:00

Just as Broadway productions and Broadway tours represent a small percentage of American theatre productions, the same is true for pit musicians.  Pit musicians and theaters are in every metro a...

Preview of "Something Rotten" for Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance from 2021-08-18T05:00

This is a short, sparsely edited episode that offers a sneak peek into community theatre tech week.  Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance has been a speci...

58. From Branson to Vegas - Tish Diaz, keyboardist from 2021-08-13T05:00

Tish Diaz has had a full career, more than you might think for someone still young and full of energy, one that includes theatre work in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Los Vegas, and Branson MO.   ...

57. Reducing Orchestration - Alex Tirrell, music director from 2021-07-23T10:54:14

Alex Tirrell is a music director and keyboardist in Rhode Island.  He also is one of the sound designers at https://stage-sounds.com/ , the founder who is...

56. The Wicked Harp - Laura Sherman, harpist from 2021-07-09T05:00

Laura Sherman is currently a lecturer for the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.  Prior to that, she lived in NYC and played on Broadway shows, most prominently as the harpist for...

55. Entr'acte: Celebrating 1 year of Life in the Pit from 2021-06-25T05:00

Host David Lane celebrates 1 year of LIFE IN THE PIT as he reflects on the experience of creating the podcast, and describes some of the changes that will take place moving forward.  Don't worry...

54. Principles for Professional Pit Musicians: Paul Perfetti, trumpet from 2021-06-18T05:00

Paul Perfetti was the principal trumpet for the 1st and 3rd national tours of Les Misérables between 1987 and 2006.  He also played trumpet for the 42nd Street national tour.  Before and since t...

53. Low Notes - Jennifer Wharton: trombone, bass trombone, tuba from 2021-06-11T05:00

Jennifer Wharton loves playing low brass (her website tag is indeed, "I play low notes"), and has enjoyed doing so on Broadway in shows such as Beloved: The Carole King Musical, 9 to 5, Curtains...

52. Tours and Reels - Matthew Croft, keyboardist and music director from 2021-06-04T05:00

Matthew Croft has either music directed or played keyboard, or both, for theaters all over Michigan, Ohio, and New York.  He has also played for The Illusionists: Turn of the Century on Broadway...

51. Theatre in Ireland - Andrew Clayton, guitarist from 2021-05-28T05:00

For the 2nd time, LIFE IN THE PIT goes outside North America to explore theatre from musician's perspectives in other parts of the world.  Andrew Clayton is a young guitarist and teacher who liv...

50. The Collins Boy: A New Musical - Brad Bass and Cari Joy, writers from 2021-05-21T05:00

5 years ago, the host of this podcast, David Lane, was invited to be the arranger and later the musical director for The Collins Boy....

49. "Strategies for Success in Musical Theatre" - Herbert D. Marshall, music director from 2021-05-14T05:00

LIFE IN THE PIT does its first episode on a book.  The book is "Strategies for Success in Musical Theatre: A Guide for Music Directors in School, College, and Community Theatre" by Herbert D. Ma...

48. Singing for Cirque Du Soleil - Rochelle Collins, vocalist from 2021-05-07T05:00

Rochelle Collins lives in Las Vegas, NV where she has been a performer for Cirque Du Soleil for 19 years, first for the show MYSTERE, and currently for KA.  Her work as a vocalist puts her onsta...

47. The Itinerant Music Director: Steven Zumbrun, music director, keyboards from 2021-04-30T05:00

Steven Zumbrun has been everywhere because of theatre, and has so many stories to tell!  He's played for shows based in the Springer Opera House in Columbus (GA), the Nebraska Theatre Caravan, t...

46. "The Best They Can" - Trevor Landreth, percussionist from 2021-04-23T05:00

Trevor Landreth is a percussionist and educator in the Greater Wichita area.  In addition to playing in the pit, he teaches high schoolers and college students in not only percussion, but also d...

45. "I just love playing!" - Mary Ann McSweeney, bassist from 2021-04-16T05:00

Mary Ann McSweeney has played enough shows on Broadway to be really close to having played in every physical theatre on Broadway.  She's the original bassist for Avenue Q, You're a Good Man Char...

44. The Gear You Need to Get Started - Brady Aldrich, multi-instrumentalist from 2021-04-09T05:00

Brady Aldrich lives in Wenatchee, Washington, and has music directed and played shows on keyboard, trumpet, drum set, and percussion.  He has also done technical theatre particularly from the as...

43. Music Directing as a High School Student - Sachio Nang, music student from 2021-04-02T05:00

Sachio Nang played in the pit for all of his musicals in his Chicago area high school, including Rent, Les Misérables School Version, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Little Mermaid, ...

42. "A Well-Stocked Tool Kit" - Shelagh Abate: French Horn from 2021-03-26T05:00

Shelagh Abate is a Broadway veteran who plays the French horn.  She has opened the productions for Disney's Frozen, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Honeymoon in Vegas, Anastasia, Evita, ...

41. "Drama Has Always Been Part of My Life" - Andy Mock, pianist from 2021-03-19T05:00

Regular listeners of this podcast first heard Andy Mock's voice on the bonus episode on CTG's Wizard of Oz that followed Episode 26.  Andy has worked with a number of theatres and schools in the...

40. "In New York...you say yes!" - Andrea Neumann, trombone from 2021-03-12T05:00

It's our first full Broadway episode, and the guest is trombonist Andrea Neumann.  For much of two decades, she has been a very active musician in the NYC area, playing for the Brooklyn Orchestr...

39. Programming Keyboards for Theatre Part 2 - John Eldridge: keyboardist, music director from 2021-03-05T05:00

Modern keyboardists in theatre can't just turn on their instrument and play the book.  There are often several hours needed for preparing the keyboard for the sequence of sounds and effects need...

38. Programming Keyboards for Theatre Part 1 - John Eldridge: keyboardist, music director from 2021-02-26T05:00

If you've never played a keyboard for a modern musical, you may be wondering what the big deal is with programming.  If you HAVE played keyboard for a modern musical, then you know!  John Eldrid...

37. Symphony Orchestra with Theatrical Touches - Ingrid Keller, executive director from 2021-02-19T05:00

Ingrid Keller is the executive director of the Western Piedmont Symphony Orchestra.  Prior to this, she grew up acting in theatre, playing roles such as Epo...

36. "Just Keep Working" - Louis B. Crocco, percussionist from 2021-02-12T04:00

Playing on national tours for 25 years in shows such as White Christmas, Bombay Dreams, High School Musical, Miss Saigon, and more including a Japanese tour of Rent should all be enough to discu...

35. "Learning on the Job" - Mike Lasley: music director, keyboardist, percussionist from 2021-02-05T05:06

Mike Lasley is an instructor at NC A&T University, and is educated as a percussionist.  In theatre, he most often serves as a music director and/or a keyboardist.  He has also been on stage as a...

34. Pregnancy Brain and Percussion - Christina Lowder: percussionist, drummer from 2021-01-29T05:00

Christina Lowder is a percussionist near Greensboro, NC who plays a lot of shows for the renowned theatre program at Elon University in addition to other venues.  She talks about being a woman o...

33. "Catastrophe Mitigation" - Eric Eakes: violist, personnel manager from 2021-01-22T05:00

Eric Eakes plays the viola, and is a doctoral student at the University of Miami.  In addition to playing for shows and other performances, he also is the personnel manager for the Henry Mancini...

Ask the Music Director part 4 from 2021-01-19T05:01

The fourth and final (at least for now) installment of Ask The Music Director, where we answered questions you asked of music directors.  We have music directors representing schools, community ...

32. Disney, Mamma Mia, and Summer Stock - John de Haas: keyboardist, music director, composer from 2021-01-15T05:00

John de Haas has worked at Walt Disney World as a musician for 20 years and counting.  He talks about about what it's like to work there, and how one might go about getting a job there or elsewh...

31. "Anytime is a Good Time" - Kini Slaughter, Flutist, Event Coordinator from 2021-01-08T05:00

Life in the Pit gets way outside the pit itself this week, but this still is potentially of great value to either established pit musicians or especially music students.  Kini Slaughter plays th...

Ask the Music Director part 3 from 2021-01-05T05:00

We continue to answer the questions that several of you asked for music directors, and I got several across the country to answer.  We have music directors representing schools, community theatr...

Ask the Music Director part 2 from 2020-12-29T05:00

Several of you asked questions for music directors, and I got several across the country to answer.  We have music directors representing schools, community theatre, touring shows, and Broadway ...

Ask the Music Director part 1 from 2020-12-23T05:00

Several of you asked questions for music directors, and I got several across the country to answer.  We have music directors representing schools, community theatre, touring shows, and Broadway ...

30. "Performer and Spectator" - Taiki Azuma: Saxophone, Reeds from 2020-12-11T05:00

Taiki Azuma is in the midst of pursuing his DMA in saxophone performance.  He plays all the reeds but, like many things he does, it's because it aligns with his goal of becoming a professor.  We...

29. The Brass Section in Theatre - Harlan Feinstein: trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba from 2020-12-04T05:00

Brass players tend to focus on a section.  They might play French horn.  They might play trombone, and possibly be fluent on tenor and bass versions, in addition to euphonium.  They might play t...

28. Theatre in Chicago - Valerie Maze: music director, keyboardist from 2020-11-27T05:00

Valerie Maze has an extensive amount of experience with regional theatre houses, opera companies, and in the academic world.  Not long ago, she was the staff theatre music director for Elon Univ...

27. "There's always more you can do." - Doug Rowe: percussion, drums from 2020-11-20T05:00

Doug Rowe is a young percussionist, drummer, and a passionate educator.  We talk about his experience with music, teaching, and his personal health journey.

Doug is an active performer in...

Reflections on CTG's Wizard of Oz from 2020-11-16T05:00

This is a follow-up to Episode 26, where I talked to Al Stephens about his work on the enormous annual production of The Wizard of Oz, as presented by The Community Theatre of Greensboro in NC. ...

26. "Organized Chaos" - Al Stephens: conductor, music director from 2020-11-13T05:00

The Community Theatre of Greensboro has, prior to this year, presented a huge production with a cast of 100 of The Wizard of Oz every year since 1995.  Just under half of those productions have ...

25. "The Pit is my happy place!" - Virginia Masius, bassist from 2020-11-06T05:00

Virginia Masius is a versatile bassist who plays with the Greensboro and Salisbury Symphony orchestras, loves to play jazz, and plays funky blues with Listen

22. "I was terrified...and it was incredible!" - Haidee Dollak - piano accompanist from 2020-10-16T05:00

If you're a piano student, be sure to listen to this episode!  Being a professional soloist is a moon shot, but learning how to be a great accompanist will give you a great chance to be paid for...

21. Getting on National Tours Locally - Wayne Leechford, contractor, reeds from 2020-10-09T05:00

Most national tours of Broadway shows travel with a small core group of musicians along with the music director, but require the services of local contractors to fill out the personnel needed in...

20. "So I snuck out of the school with her oboe..." - Matthew Covington, oboes from 2020-10-02T05:00

This is the third and concluding episode of the woodwind trilogy.  In Episode 18, we talked about flutes.  Episode 19 was about clarinets and saxophones.  This week's episode features Matthew Co...

19. "It kinda puts you in a weird moment." - Kania Mills, clarinets/saxophones from 2020-09-25T05:00

This is the 2nd episode in a trilogy of conversations with musicians who play a specific family of woodwinds.

Kania Mills is plays clarinets for multiple symphony orchestras and concert b...

18. "Our Limitations Are a Gift to Ourselves" - Tika Douthit, flute from 2020-09-18T05:00

Episodes 18, 19, and 20 form a trilogy where I will be talking to a musician who focuses on one specific family of the woodwinds.  This episode features Dr. Tika Douthit, an assistant professor ...

17. Growth Cycle: "Carp, Possum, Raccoon" - Guy Kelpin, trombone&bass from 2020-09-11T05:00

A little seriousness and a short necessary rant at the beginning.  The fun part of this episode begins at 6:07.

Guy Kelpin is an everyman in music.  He has played in orchestras and horn l...

16. Magic and Death:The Harp in Theatre - Grace Ludtke, Harp from 2020-09-04T05:00

The harp is one of the most visually stunning instruments to see performed live.  It is also one of the most complicated instruments, enough that usually only harpists or experienced harp compos...

15. Craving a Challenge - Ronnal Ford, woodwinds and strings from 2020-08-28T05:00

Dr. Ronnal Ford plays two entire families of orchestral instruments, but when asked about his primary instrument he says, "My primary instrument is what I'm getting paid to play at the moment."<...

14. "Not Afraid of Feedback" - Staging new musicals - Laura Watkins, composer/keyboards from 2020-08-21T05:00

Like all of our previous guests, Laura Watkins has pit experience.  Unlike our previous guests, it is solely because she created the need.  Even though she is accomplished pianist, Laura's exper...

13. Cruise Ship Bands "The Wild West of Music" - James Hodson, guitars from 2020-08-14T05:00

Would you like to know more about playing an instrument as a career on cruise lines?  There are some strong crossover with pit musician skills, and that is our main discussion in this episode. Listen

12. The Pit vs the Spotlight - Deena Rizkalla, violinist from 2020-08-11T05:00

Deena Rizkalla currently lives in Nashville and plays the violin for local theatre productions, including national tours of Phantom of the Opera and Hello, Dolly! as they have come through the a...

11. "Listen, Learn, Love" - Maggie Gallagher, music director, voice teacher from 2020-08-07T05:00

Maggie Gallagher has been influencing multiple generations as a school teacher, voice teacher, actress, and a music director.  At the age of 73, she may be retired but she still enjoys the chall...

10. "You can't stop once it starts" - Tony Steve, percussionist/composer from 2020-08-04T05:00

Dr. Tony Steve is a professor of Contemporary Music, Percussion, and World Music at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, FL.  He has a lot of experience in the pit as a percussionist in New ...

9. "Do Your Homework" - Randy Mintz, bass from 2020-07-31T05:00

Randy Mintz is recently retired after being a band director for 43 years.  He has also spent most of his adult life playing for musicals, mostly on bass.  Aside from keyboardists and maybe drumm...

8. "Exciting but Terrifying" - Kate Hopper, French horn from 2020-07-28T05:00

Kate Hopper plays French horn, and has all the qualifications to play in any ensemble of her choice, but prefers the world of musical theatre!  She also does part-time orchestra contracting for ...

7. "My Book Had Been Left in Texas" - Brian Blauch, reeds player from 2020-07-24T05:00

Brian is our second reeds player (multiple woodwinds) to be a guest on the show, but this is the first time we've taken here to dig into what that's like.  He also was a member of national bus t...

6. Collaboration and Happy Dances - Jennifer Alexandra Johnston: cellist from 2020-07-21T05:00

Alex Johnston is a cellist, regularly employed with multiple professional symphonic orchestras. It's not as common as you might think for symphonic personnel to not only play musical theatre reg...

5. "I Put the Quality of the Music First" - Daniel Bukin - conductor, composer, keyboardist from 2020-07-17T06:00

Daniel Bukin is a graduate student at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.  He is a composer and keyboardist, although his main focus the past few years has been as a conductor.  He has ...

Terms for Theatre Musicians 101 from 2020-07-14T06:00

Overture, vamp, cut, tacet...There are a lot of terms found in musical theatre that need to be known by pit musicians.  Some, but by no means all of them, cross over into band and orchestra ling...

4. Theatre from Many Perspectives - Beth Cox, clarinet-sax-flute from 2020-07-10T05:00

Theatre is for everyone! Whether it's full-time or part-time, professional or volunteer, theatre is an enriching endeavor!

Beth Cox is a full-time educator, a middle school band director....

3. The Ultimate Generalist - James Brandt, percussionist and drummer from 2020-06-27T15:45:51

What is a drummer vs a percussionist?  You can be a specialist or a generalist.  James Brandt went the route of the generalist, and it has served him well over a career with wide variety, one th...

2. "You Can't Have Too Many Guitars" - Allan Beck, guitarist from 2020-06-27T15:45:38

What's a modern musical without a guitarist?  What does it take to be a successful guitarist in a musical theatre pit?  Allan Beck walks us through all the different skills that it takes compare...

1. Welcome to the Pit - David Lane from 2020-06-27T15:45:15

Welcome to the Pit - where instrumentalists gather together to play for musical theatre productions across the world, for everything from amateur and school productions to the houses of Broadway...