Would someone explain the difference, swing vs. standby?

[davalmar]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 1:04pm

I am not sure what the exact difference is between a swing and a standby. I am pretty sure an understudy is a cast member understudying a role, but swings and standbys don't come from the cast? Do swings and standbys have to attend the show or just be available at all times? Thanks for any info!!

[algy]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 1:08pm

Swings cover the ensemble when members are out either off or understudying someone. Standbys cover one role and don't go on unless the person they're covering is out.

[theminutepast]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 1:09pm

Why do you have a standby if you have an understudy?

[jess20882]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 1:12pm

because there is always a chance understudies will be on for another cast member and the standby needs to be there to go on for the lead. confusing, i know.

[theminutepast]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 1:17pm

So how do costumes work for understudies and standbys? Do they try to find people who have similar body shapes or would they make a costume for a standby even though the chance of him/her going on is low? Sorry for all the questions. I love musical theater, but I've never been in a show myself.

[algy]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 1:18pm

It's complicated! I'm in the UK and we haven't tended to have standbys in the past, but this is tending to come in as shows come in from the US.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 2:45pm

Costumes can depend what kind of contract you're on. The new pink contract means the standby or understudy gets to wear the principal's outfit, but altered for their measurements. Production contract means you get your own costume.

Algy, there have been standby Phantoms and Valjeans in the UK. Matthew Cammelle was the latest standby Phantom, I believe.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 3:01pm

Question for LizzyCurrie: Isn't more advantageous for the understudy to have their own "lead" costume as opposed to having alter the costume whenever the understudy goes on? Now that explains that when I saw Hairspray on the road, the Penny understudy went on early in the run and her purple finale dress wasn't ready, so she wore her "Brenda" finale dress.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 3:04pm

Yes, but some people are cheap.

(You shoulda seen all the gathering they had to do whenever Susan Spencer went on for Kate Fisher on the Little Women tour.)

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 3:06pm

Yes, I know, but we won't mention any names!!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 3:12pm

Wedding Singer is the best example.

Tina Maddigan was hired as the standby for Laura Benanti. Tina, though she was listed with the rest of the cast, would only go on whenever Laura was out. Christina Sivrich was the understudy for Laura Benanti. Christina, having multiple ensemble parts, would go on if Tina couldn't. A swing, someone who covers many parts, would then cover Christina's multiple parts.

As far as costuming, it's on a show-by-show basis. Tina, in the 2 months she went on for Laura, never had a wedding dress of her own. There were 3 different ones that decreased to 2 as time went on.

[actor]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 3:13pm

Swing = does not perform daily. Goes on if an ensemble member is sick. Goes on if a lead is sick (if specially trained for that role). Goes on for a named role (if specially trained for that role). Sometimes goes on for an understudy (in the ensemble role) who is scheduled to go on for the role they're covering.

Understudy = All named characters usually have an understudy. He/she goes on if that role is sick. Understudy is also in ensemble. The main lead roles sometimes have an understudy as well as a standby. Understudy goes on for standby if standby is sick on his/her scheduled night. In this case, the understudy rarely ever goes on. An understudy can be assigned to more than one person.

Standby = Is ready to go on for the lead in a matter of minutes if something goes wrong, (for example, Idina falling through the trap door). The standby is usually not in the ensemble. They usually have scheduled nights. A standby is always assigned to only one performer. This performer is almost always a main lead.


Does that clear it up for you?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 3:14pm

All named characters and ensemble tracks have understudies.

Another example:

In the case of Bob Dylan, with Caren Manuel out, her standby, Lisa Bresica, took over. They can choose to elevate the sole female swing to stand-by, or, hire a new standby. There are no understudies for the 3 characters, just standbys.
Updated On: 10/4/06 at 03:14 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 3:16pm

Swings cover all ensemble tracks of their gender and when not on, play poker/video games/read a lot backstage.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 3:25pm

Though I don't know about the gender thing. I worked at Les Miserables the first time around and there were times that the Gavroche understudy had to go on as young Eponine.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 3:26pm

Yeah, but there aren't any kid swings, now are there?

(All Gavroches cover Young Eponine, but not all of them actually go on.)

[algy]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 3:27pm

"Algy, there have been standby Phantoms and Valjeans in the UK. Matthew Cammelle was the latest standby Phantom, I believe."

You're right, there are standby's for some parts, but I think some are alternates - there are two Christines in Phantom atm (and the alternate can't dance en pointe) and Abby Osman is the Evita alternate. I don't remember if there is a standby Phantom atm, there are certainly several people that play him when he's wandering around the rafters etc. I (to my shame) haven't seen Les Mis so I can't comment on that.

I don't know the same applies in NY, but being an understudy nets you more pay. I remember seeing a post from a StEx fan on the WWRY boards about how being an understudy in some shows can net you more money than actually playing that part full time.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 3:29pm

Phantom has always had alternate Christines, on both sides of the pond.

There are doubles for the Phantom and Christine during the title song: http://www.phantomoftheopera.com/modules/icontent/index.php?page=2

[Phantom2]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 3:33pm

Tina Maddigan's outfits were ever evolving. She should be the next spokesmodel for Macy's. Haha Also, I think she had a different pair of shoes on every night. Imelda Marcos, watch out!

And yes, she was the ultimate standy. With or without the original wedding dress/costumes. I'm just sayin'...

Updated On: 10/4/06 at 03:33 PM

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 5:49pm

now heres a head scratcher for y'all.. How is it that in wicked both eden and shoshana formerly served as "standby for elphaba, understudy nessarose" shouldn't they have been credited as standby to both parts?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 5:52pm

Yes. That's very odd.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 5:53pm

I hate to break it to you but all roles do not warrant a standby.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 5:55pm

Nessarose isn't one of the main characters, she's more of a supporting role. usually only the leads (main characters) have standbys.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 5:57pm

I hate to break it to you but all roles do not warrant a standby.

But still, if your job description says you sit around backstage until someone can't go on, you're a swing or a standby. Not an understudy.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 6:05pm

Only select shows have standbys. All shows have understudies. Standbys get a lot more money than understudies or swings. Hello? Are you people born yesterday?