Understudy vs. Stand-by
Understudy vs. Stand-by
arykahmarye
Stand-by Joined: 1/27/05
#0Understudy vs. Stand-by
Posted: 9/11/05 at 2:55am
I am trying to understand as many points of the Broadway stage as possible, including all terms for the actors, and i got stuck on this point. I'm trying to figure out the real difference between understudies and stand-bys, and what the purpose of both is.
I've caught on that understudies are part of the ensemble who have learned the lead role, and can fill-in in a pinch. Stand-bys are more confusing to me.
If you guys out there could clear this up for me, i would be very greatful.
"Umm...A1 is a steak sauce."
#1re: Understudy vs. Stand-by
Posted: 9/11/05 at 4:25amStandbys do not regularly perform in the ensemble of a show. Understudies do.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#2re: Understudy vs. Stand-by
Posted: 9/11/05 at 5:10amSo do stand bys still get paid the same? Do they just hang out at the show every night in case something happens to the lead?
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Kringas
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
#3re: Understudy vs. Stand-by
Posted: 9/11/05 at 5:15am
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=58662
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=658371
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=846464
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Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#4re: Understudy vs. Stand-by
Posted: 9/11/05 at 8:36am
If you don't have time to read all the threads above -
A standby does NOT have to come to the theatrre every night. He has to be "on call" - within ten minutes of the theatre and available on cell phone up until show time.
#5re: Understudy vs. Stand-by
Posted: 9/11/05 at 1:23pm
i think i remember seeing an article a while back where Shoshana Bean from Wicked said that when she was a standby, she had to be within 5 blocks of the theatre i think it was. she said she would go see a show or something, but always was on call the entire performance. it really just depends on the negotiation.
about getting paid as a standby, i want to say that you do in fact get paid whether you go on or not. it's probably the equity minimum which is $1400 i think, and then they get extra if they actually go on...i think that's usually how it works.
brandon
#6re: Understudy vs. Stand-by
Posted: 9/11/05 at 1:33pmAlso, I believe someone said they are on call up until show time. They are actually on call throughout the entire show (hence January 8, 2004 and last week).
#7re: Understudy vs. Stand-by
Posted: 9/11/05 at 7:48pmThis question comes up all the time...
"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
#8re: Understudy vs. Stand-by
Posted: 9/11/05 at 7:57pm
It's really quite simple... an understudy waits under the stage to go on, and a stand-by waits in the wings. 
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#9re: Understudy vs. Stand-by
Posted: 9/11/05 at 9:52pmHaha
"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
#10re: Understudy vs. Stand-by
Posted: 9/11/05 at 9:55pmusually, there is only a standby where there is a big name in the show. but like other people said, it's negotiable.
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~Curtains~
~A Tale of Two Cities ~
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