What does a standby mean in Theatre?

Unlike a typical understudy in a Broadway musical, who also appears as a minor role in the show or in the chorus, Foard is called a standby — a role that demands an actor to literally stand by — in case a leading performer needs to miss a show or leave mid-performance.

What is an understudy What are the three categories of understudy?

We’ve broken down what it means to be a ‘swing’, an ‘alternate’ and an ‘understudy’. Understudy: Cast in a show for every performance, an understudy is typically in the ensemble of a production, who will take on the principal role when the lead actors are unavailable.

What is the difference between ensemble and swing?

In context|music|lang=en terms the difference between ensemble and swing. is that ensemble is (music) a piece for several instrumentalists or vocalists while swing is (music) the genre of music associated with this dance style.

What is a Broadway understudy?

An UNDERSTUDY is a member of the ensemble or a principal performer who memorizes the lines, vocals, blocking, and choreography for another principal role or a leading ACTOR’S role.

What is the difference between a standby and a swing?

A swing is an off-stage performer responsible for covering any number of ensemble tracks, sometimes as many as 12 or more. A standby is an off-stage performer whose sole responsibility is to cover the lead (usually a star) in a production.

What is the difference between standby and understudy?

An understudy is a performer cast in the ensemble of a musical (or a minor role in a play) who is responsible for covering a lead or supporting role. A standby is an off-stage performer whose sole responsibility is to cover the lead (usually a star) in a production.

Who is the highest paid Broadway actor?

Right now the highest-paid performer on Broadway is Richard Chamberlain, who is playing Captain von Trapp in ‘The Sound of Music.” The actor, production sources say, pulls down about $50,000 a week. That figure is a combination of a guaranteed base salary, plus a percentage of the gross box-office receipts.

What do you mean by standby?

1a : one to be relied on especially in emergencies. b : a favorite or reliable choice or resource. 2 : one that is held in reserve ready for use : substitute. on standby. : ready or available for immediate action or use.

What’s the difference between an understudy and a standby?

An understudy is a performer cast in the ensemble of a musical (or a minor role in a play) who is responsible for covering a lead or supporting role. A standby is an off-stage performer whose sole…

Why are understudies, swings, and standby actors important?

This is why there are always understudy, swing, and standby actors within each company ready to step in. The show must go on! So what are the differences between an understudy, swing, and a standby? Understudy – is a regular member of the cast, usually in the chorus, and who can also play one of the leading roles.

What’s the difference between an understudy and a swing?

Understudy, Standby, Swing. A standby is usually someone in an off-stage position who covers the lead role or roles and is NOT part of the ensemble—roles such as the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, or Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked all have these off-stage covers. And a swing is an off-stage cast member who covers multiple, if not all,…

What’s the difference between an understudy and a cast member?

Which brings us to understudies! Unlike swings, an understudy is in fact in the cast of a show for every performance, generally in an ensemble track or less sizable principal role.