Standbys and Understudies

[morebroadwayplease]

Posted: 6/18/05 at 8:04am

I'm going to ask everyone a question that is going to make me sound like an idiot, but I'll ask it anyway because I'm dying to know.


What is the difference between a Standby and a Understudy? I know that a Standby goes on when the regular person is sick or taking the day off, but when do Understudies go on?

Also, when a person leaves, does the standby take over? This hasn't always happened. So, what is the line up? I'm confused about that.

Also, do only the leads get Standbys and all the rest get Understudies? If a person who's not a lead is taking the day off, then do their Understudy take over?

If one of the ensemble is sick what happens?

Sorry for pestering everybody with so many questions.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 6/18/05 at 8:09am

Read this

Updated On: 6/18/05 at 08:09 AM

[morebroadwayplease]

Posted: 6/18/05 at 8:18am

popcultureboy,

THANK YOU SO MUCH! That really cleared it up for me. Thank you.

[The Ninth Show]

Posted: 6/18/05 at 8:45am

A Standby is a performer who does not have another role in the show and only goes on when the principal they are standing by for is out. A lot of times a performer will be a Standby for several different characters. An Understudy is a performer who has another role in the show (usually in the Ensemble). Most principal roles are covered by both a Standby and Understudy. Using Lion King as an example, suppose a Standby was covering the roles of Timon and Pumba and both performers were out. The Standby would do Timon and the Understudy (from the Ensemble) would do Pumba.

The Ensemble members are covered by what is called a Swing, a performer not in the show, but like a Standby, goes on when someone in the Ensemble is out. Depending on the size of the show, there can be 1-4 female and male swings who must be able to perform any of the chorus roles.

I'm sure it has happened, but generally when a principal leaves the show the Standby remains as the Standby and a new performer is brought in from the outside.

I hopes this helps.

[morebroadwayplease]

Posted: 6/18/05 at 9:01am

It does help. Thank you.