Prompt Cast
The Role and Challenges of Broadway Understudies
TLDR Understudies on Broadway play a crucial role in stepping in for lead roles at a moment's notice, but they face challenges such as filling in for multiple roles, limited rehearsal opportunities, and the pressure to mimic the star's performance. Despite the challenges, understudies can make a career out of their role and have the potential to launch or advance their acting careers.
Timestamped Summary
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Understudies are the unsung heroes of Broadway, tasked with stepping in for lead roles at a moment's notice and ensuring that the show goes on.
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Understudies on Broadway can be either standbys, who only step in for the lead role in case of emergencies, or swings, who are part of the cast and can fill in for multiple roles.
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Understudies, standbys, and swings in Broadway shows have to constantly be prepared to step in at a moment's notice, and the logistics of filling in for multiple roles can become complicated when multiple cast members are unable to perform.
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Understudies on Broadway are paid a minimum of $2,034 per week, regardless of whether or not they perform.
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Understudies and swings on Broadway are expected to know and be ready to perform multiple roles, and they are paid additional money for each role they cover.
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Understudies and swings on Broadway often don't get the same rehearsal opportunities as the main cast and are expected to deliver performances on par with the stars, even though they may have never rehearsed that specific role before.
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Understudies are expected to know their roles so well that they can seamlessly step in for the main cast without throwing off the production, and while COVID has brought some changes to this dynamic, understudies still have to mimic the star's performance as closely as possible.
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Understudies can make a career out of their role, as once they prove themselves, they can be called upon anytime and continue to be an understudy, standby, or alternate for the rest of their lives.
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Understudies can thrive on the additional pressure and work of not knowing when they may be called upon, and some well-known actors, such as Bernadette Peters, Anthony Hopkins, Tate Diggs, and Shirley MacLaine, have had their careers launched or advanced through their experiences as understudies.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the necessity and value of understudies in the Broadway industry, leading to calls for better support and resources for them, as well as a recognition of their potential to bring something unique to a role.
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Understudies have to be constantly on call and are unable to make firm plans, which can be challenging and frustrating.
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