Wandelprobe - Theatre Etymology - Part 23

If you guessed that Wandelprobe was related to sitzprobe in a way, you'd be correct. It is technically pronounced as "von-dell-pro-buh," but some directors and other theatre professionals may say it "wan-del-pro-buh" or "wan-del-probe."

Different directors and conductors conduct wandelprobes differently. In fact, even the same person may hold them differently depending on the production and the needs of the production. However, in general, it means that the actors and singers are free to wander over the stage while the band or orchestra plays. They still have to sing the parts they are assigned while wandering over the stage.

This wandering isn't free range wandering, though. They have to wander to the approximate blocking for the production, if not the exact blocking. However, this is usually done out of costume, though it may be done in costume if that is the director's desire. There may still be stops in order to work with the orchestra or band and the actors or singers in order to figure out how movements go together with the music. Because of this, it may be necessary to use props.

If props are used is a decision that is left up to the director and others who are behind the scenes for the production. Sometimes actors and singers only wander over a bare stage during a wandelprobe. At other times, there are parts of the set or a complete set.

A wandelprobe is usually held before tech starts and there usually are not lighting cues. However, some directors and conductors like to have lighting cues set and running during a wandelprobe. Everything is basically up to the decisions of the director and conductor. However, a wandelprobe (or even more than one wandelprobe) takes place before the first full dress rehearsal.

Some people make the mistake of calling this rehearsal a wanderprobe, and that is understandable since the actors and singers wander. However, the word "wandelprobe" comes from German and technically means "convertable trial." While the German word wandel can mean change, flux, shift, or vicissitude, if the word is changed to wandeln, it can mean change, walk, or stroll. The German word probe means sample, text, trial assay, proof, rehearsal, specimen, practice, or pattern. So, the word wandelprobe comes from German words put together that mean "walk" or "stroll" and "rehearsal," so it is a "walking rehearsal."

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