understudies question

[Harpz2006]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 12:28am

I had thought that understudies who aren't in the ensemble kind of just have to be pretty close to the theatre in case they need to go on. It seems though it's a trend now that understudies have to be AT the theatre 8 shows a week- I know the n2n understudies are there every show, and the boy who understudies Eamon Foley in Everyday Rapture was sitting behind me watching the show when I went recently. He said he has to be there every time but never got to go at all. I have to wonder if this setup is really boring for these people- would you be annoyed to have to sit there for 3 hours a day? Or are they just glad to be working? Do they get paid as much as the actors in the show on a weekly basis? Sorry for rambling, haha- just have been thinking about all this.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 12:34am

They're getting paid; it's their job.

There are far more difficult, more strenuous ways to earn a living. I know people who work 12 hours a day that don't get paid like they do.

I doubt any of them are complaining about being employed on Broadway.

[PRFRMR20]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 12:39am

They usually get paid the same as the Equity minimum (what most Ensemble members are getting paid). However, if they are a Ensemble swing and cover several roles, they get paid more than the minimum an get 1/8 of their salary when they perform in the show (about $160).

Boring, maybe - but come on.... I don't think they are complaining getting paid upwards of $1600 a week to perform on average 2-3 shows! :)

[PRFRMR20]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 12:40am

Adam - Like that we both ended saying that they aren't "complaining" lol

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 12:48am

Plus there is always that "Sutton Foster in Millie" chance that an understudy may get a chance to perform and ultimately take over a role.

[Harpz2006]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 12:49am

Haha, yeah- I feel like it would be cool to like be a swing in a show like Lion King or Wicked and probably go on several times a week... but I feel bad for the ones that NEVER go on! Like, the Everyday Rapture kid Riley Costello told me he used to stand in his dressing room and do Eamon's part along with Eamon every night. I also remember Kyle Dean Massey saying he hardly went on as Fiyero because the actor would have to be pretty sick to not be able to make it through Fiyero's 30 minutes on stage. It does seem like a nice comfortable gig though! I did some community theatre this year and after like 16 shows in the ensemble it started to feel so autopilot for me and now I'm in awe of how people manage to keep it so fresh every night and maintain the energy- I'm always kind of excited to see an understudy because you can feel that it's kind of rare and exciting.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 1:05am

They certainly don't complain. Generally they are eager to perform, yes, and perhaps over time become bored. Standbys have to be within a certain distance of the theater, however I haven't heard before of an standby being REQUIRED to be at the theater throughout the entire show. It's probably true for Riley Costello because he is underage...

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 1:35am

however I haven't heard before of an standby being REQUIRED to be at the theater throughout the entire show.

As of February 2009, the two Wicked standbys (one for each of the Witches) were required to be in the theater during the show.

The n2n standbys (officially, only Jessica and Michael are noted as such, the others are listed as understudies) are also required to be in the theater.

Perhaps it's a David Stone rule. I don't know.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 1:36am

I think the Frankie Valli alternate in Jersey Boys has to be there for the entire show. The other swings can leave during "Rag Doll."

[yankees1253]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 2:06am

The standby's for Elphie and Glinda have a dressing they share together, they mainly watch tv together/chill in the room or walk around the theatre when the show is on.

The understudy for Sherrie is always there cause Katie Webber is waitress number one and Ericka Hunter is ensemble member plus an offstage voice.

[shrekster224]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 7:26am

Yea, the Wicked one's are always there. The first time I saw Wicked, I had Jennifer, and at the stage door, she said their record time for getting her fully green and in costume was about six and a half minutes.

When I was at Dee's last show, I was sitting partial view front orchestra and could see the stage right wing, and Jennifer was watching a lot of the show, haha! Probably just because it was Dee's last.

[MeggilyWeggily08]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 10:11am

They also get to hang out together backstage. They have time to do things they might not have the chance to do during the day due to auditions, or something else. For the understudies that are kids/teens that are still in school, or older ones that are in college they have time to study or catch up on school work. They can practice lines for readings they're doing during the day. Sure, you don't get to go on every night but it's not like you're sitting in an isolated dressing room by yourself doing nothing.

[tamra2]

Posted: 7/12/10 at 10:20am

i owuldn't say it is a comfortable gig. being an understudy, or even a swing is one of the toughest jobs. you are constantly having to make sure you know multiple roles, have various rehearsals every week, and when a new cast member has to run through the show... most of the time you are the one who does the put in. Even if you are an understudy and only cover one role if you are in the ensemble you are performing every show, as well as all the extra rehearsals.

if you are not performing and stuck inside the theater you can at least bring stuff to entertain you, unlike an office job you cant break out a wii to play so they get a few perks, but they earn it!