Are original standbys part of the rehearsal process?

[beltingbaritone]

Posted: 5/17/14 at 11:15pm

Someone mentioned in the thread about Idina being out of If/Then that the night Jackie when in for Act 2, she didn't even have a put-in rehearsal. I was curious, are standbys that are part of the original cast (such as Jackie Burns, Nic Rouleau in BOM, Eden Espinosa in Wicked) in the rehearsal room, observing the director work with the lead actor, or are they hired after the rehearsal process and rehearse like an ensemble member who is also an understudy might? Or does it depend on the show?

Thanks!

Updated On: 5/17/14 at 11:15 PM

[JohnyBroadway]

Posted: 5/18/14 at 12:40am

It is my understanding that in most cases standbys are not rehearsed until far down into previews.

[Tag]

Posted: 5/18/14 at 1:07am

From experience, standbys would be in rehearsal from day one. They would be called to all rehearsals that the actor they are covering is called to. Depending on the director and how much time there is, the standby could repeat a scene in rehearsal after the lead is rehearsed first. The focus is not usually however on the standby having enough time to properly rehearse the role. Once a show opens, there are Equity rules regarding the amount of time required before put-ins are completed for standbys/understudies. (Burns' put-in most likely is scheduled in the very near future, but hadn't occurred by the time she actually went on the other night). Daytime rehearsals after opening would concentrate on the standbys/understudies in anticipation of these put-ins.

[brettarnett]

Posted: 5/18/14 at 1:12am

It really is going to vary show by show. I know in a few cases that a Standby isn't hired or a part of the cast until the show is open and running for a while. But if a standby is hired from day one they will need to be at all of the rehearsals for the role that is called for. They may not get to run through the scene but they will most likely be in the room. And then there are times where the lead is sick or can't make a rehearsal and the standby could fill in.