When audiences sit down to watch The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, their attention is naturally drawn to the actors on stage telling a mythological story. But just out of sight, another group of performers plays an equally important role in bringing the show to life—one that you may not immediately see, but will definitely hear.

This year’s pit isn’t a traditional orchestra, but a rock band.

Unlike classical-style pits that focus on orchestral arrangement, The Lightning Thief features a modern, high-energy score that calls for electric instruments and dynamic rhythms. For the student musicians, this means adapting to a completely different kind of performance experience.

“The pit reacts to the actors on stage,” one keyboard player ninth grader Yaolin Wang explained. “The actors convey the story through words, and we work with them to express emotions through music.” Rather than simply playing along, pit musicians must stay connected to everything happening on stage. “It’s not like we just sync up; we have to rehearse and collaborate in real time to make sure we’re telling the same story.” 

At the center of that collaboration is the conductor, instrumental music teacher Mr. Jon Grauer, who serves as the bridge between pit and performers. Musicians rely on visual cues to stay aligned, especially when things don’t go as planned. “If we’re not in sync, which happens during rehearsals and sometimes even in performances, the conductor might speed us up or cut us off and restart where the actors are,” Wang said. “Sometimes we even jump into the music before the conductor, because the show must go on.”

That unpredictability is part of what makes pit performance so challenging. Bass players and keyboardists alike emphasized how much focus is required. “We have to watch the conductor and listen very carefully,” said the bassist senior Zuzu Wood. “Sometimes actors don’t say lines exactly the same way every time, so we have to anticipate when to come in.”

Preparation is another unique hurdle. Unlike actors, who spend weeks rehearsing scenes, the pit often has limited time to learn their music independently. Yaolin noted that rehearsals aren’t really about learning the notes, but they’re about learning how to play together and stay in sync with the stage. That coordination finally comes together during the intense days of Tech Week, when musicians and actors finally rehearse side by side, often remaining at school after 9 p.m.

Despite the challenges, pit members agree that the experience is incredibly rewarding. From experimenting with new musical styles to bonding with fellow musicians, the pit has become a close-knit community. “The most fun part is just hanging out with everyone,” junior Kayla Huang, the other keyboardist, shared. “It really feels like a team.” And of course, there’s the music itself. Many of the pit members cited high-energy numbers like “D.O.A” as favorites, praising both the sound and the atmosphere. “It feels like you’re partying in the underworld.”

The pit hopes audiences recognize just how integral the music is to the show. “The music is like a live character,” Yaolin explained. “It reacts to everything happening on stage and adds emotion to the story.” 

So while the actors may be in the spotlight, behind the scenes, a rock band is bringing The Lightning Thief to life, one cue at a time.