Open Forum

I've decided that I want to cast understudies for my shows next year, but I've never cast a show with an understudy before. How do you work that into rehearsals? And if we only have three scheduled performances, do you have the understudies do one of them? Just trying to get some advice from people who've done it before on what works well and what doesn't!

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Tiffany Garner
Theatre Director
American Leadership Academy Gilbert Arizona
tgarner@alaschools.org
------------------------------

We do not use understudies in any of our programs. However, the ones that I see that do it well include the understudy in extra rehearsal runs with the cast in addition to what you normally would have in a production calendar. Of course, they would take notes in blocking rehearsals, and have the same off book deadline. And, they get at least 1 public performance. That last part is key to me. If they are going to put in all of the extra effort, they need to have some sort of pay off.

~Dave

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David Simpson
Performing Arts Center Manager
East China Schools
East China MI
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-10-2019 10:57
From: Tiffany Garner
Subject: Understudies?

I've decided that I want to cast understudies for my shows next year, but I've never cast a show with an understudy before. How do you work that into rehearsals? And if we only have three scheduled performances, do you have the understudies do one of them? Just trying to get some advice from people who've done it before on what works well and what doesn't!

------------------------------
Tiffany Garner
Theatre Director
American Leadership Academy Gilbert Arizona
tgarner@alaschools.org
------------------------------

I use swings rather than understudies for my shows. I do give them 1 guaranteed performance (with the character of his or her choice since they do so much work prepping all the parts). In rehearsals they shadow the actor cast in the part they are working for the day.

I find it very helpful to have them available since it means when a cast member is absent there is someone who is already set to cover the part. I also find that the students make more artistic progress when they are a swing then when cast in a show. It also provides a great learning opportunity to the younger actors. The only limitation I have is that a senior cannot swing in a show. I use this as a major training and esteem building experience for the younger students. They are also limited to only being a swing 1 time to provide as many opportunities as possible. 

Honestly, this has saved performances in the past. I've had emergencies that occurred and looked at the swing (1 time in the middle of opening night) and said "Get in costume. You're on". 

I do go over what a swing is at the beginning of auditions so everyone knows what it is (if offered to them) and why we have it. This helps establish the importance of the position for everyone and keeps everything running smoothly.

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Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-10-2019 10:57
From: Tiffany Garner
Subject: Understudies?

I've decided that I want to cast understudies for my shows next year, but I've never cast a show with an understudy before. How do you work that into rehearsals? And if we only have three scheduled performances, do you have the understudies do one of them? Just trying to get some advice from people who've done it before on what works well and what doesn't!

------------------------------
Tiffany Garner
Theatre Director
American Leadership Academy Gilbert Arizona
tgarner@alaschools.org
------------------------------

When we do smaller cast shows, we try to have understudies.  This can prove difficult but I've found the best success in a mixture of some of what others have said.  Have them at every rehearsal the character is called for.  I guaranteed them only 2 full rehearsal days (anything extra they get is by shadowing or if their overstudy isn't present.)  Instead of taking a performance from the main cast, I added a Saturday matinee for the understudy show.  So we do main cast Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  Understudy show matinee Saturday afternoon.  This has worked well the few times we've done it.  I don't always have a enough people to do it but I did a production of Hedda Gabler and my kids worked hard and helped each other and the overstudies came to the understudy rehearsals to help out.  They also worked together to figure out the details of the character (background, objectives, etc.)

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Joel King
Atlanta GA
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-10-2019 10:57
From: Tiffany Garner
Subject: Understudies?

I've decided that I want to cast understudies for my shows next year, but I've never cast a show with an understudy before. How do you work that into rehearsals? And if we only have three scheduled performances, do you have the understudies do one of them? Just trying to get some advice from people who've done it before on what works well and what doesn't!

------------------------------
Tiffany Garner
Theatre Director
American Leadership Academy Gilbert Arizona
tgarner@alaschools.org
------------------------------

I'm not a big understudy fan as I think it is hard to manage expectations. We have a working swing system in place to handle if someone is sick or injured for a performance. They also serve as the swing during any rehearsal that the cast actor cannot make. This system helps to keep rehearsals moving without delay, but also gives a great experience to the swing. Swings do not appear in performance unless needed due to illness or emergency. However, they are continually grateful for the learning experience and always happy to put in the work. I rotate the swings in during most practices prior to tech. It is also a good experience for the main characters to see the swing's approach to the character. 

One item that also helps this system have true respect is that we keep a constant communication responsibility on the swing and the cast character. It is their responsibility to communicate when the swing is needed and the swing's responsibility to communicate what work was accomplished during the practice absence.

While people continually question me on our swing system and its value, we recently proved its worth again. For Legally Blonde, a show with so many featured roles, we used our swing system heavily to keep rehearsals moving forward. Then, we had a run of the flu during our 4 performances. Every night seemed to have a different set of students on stage. While we knew, the swing system worked so well that audience members had no idea. 

In addition to swings for main roles, we also appoint a male and female general swing for smaller roles.

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Jasmine Bucher
Musical Director
Palmyra PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-10-2019 10:57
From: Tiffany Garner
Subject: Understudies?

I've decided that I want to cast understudies for my shows next year, but I've never cast a show with an understudy before. How do you work that into rehearsals? And if we only have three scheduled performances, do you have the understudies do one of them? Just trying to get some advice from people who've done it before on what works well and what doesn't!

------------------------------
Tiffany Garner
Theatre Director
American Leadership Academy Gilbert Arizona
tgarner@alaschools.org
------------------------------

For me, it depends.

For our musicals, I usually have chorus members and smaller roles understudy the main roles. They will learn the songs and at least watch what happens with the blocking, but they don't get a performance in the role, unless someone is sick, or someone drops out.

For our competition one act this year I had a male and female understudy who read for anyone who wasn't there (there's wasn't an ensemble or bit roles). I told them going in that they most likely would not get to perform, but that they would get some good experience and go with us to competition (and earn more thespian points). Both students handled it very well and we even managed to get them a tiny bit of stage time.

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Ken Buswell
Drama Teacher
Peachtree City, GA
http://mcintoshtheater.org/

Theater kills ignorance
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-10-2019 10:57
From: Tiffany Garner
Subject: Understudies?

I've decided that I want to cast understudies for my shows next year, but I've never cast a show with an understudy before. How do you work that into rehearsals? And if we only have three scheduled performances, do you have the understudies do one of them? Just trying to get some advice from people who've done it before on what works well and what doesn't!

------------------------------
Tiffany Garner
Theatre Director
American Leadership Academy Gilbert Arizona
tgarner@alaschools.org
------------------------------

Original Message------

I've decided that I want to cast understudies for my shows next year, but I've never cast a show with an understudy before. How do you work that into rehearsals? And if we only have three scheduled performances, do you have the understudies do one of them? Just trying to get some advice from people who've done it before on what works well and what doesn't!

------------------------------
Tiffany Garner
Theatre Director
American Leadership Academy Gilbert Arizona
tgarner@alaschools.org
------------------------------

We use swings in our shows, and I agree with Shira Schwartz's comments--it has saved us on many occasions.  We also double-cast as much as we can for our musicals.  6 performances, each cast has 3 shows, and if there is an illness or problem, all major roles are covered.  It goes far to eliminate competitive feelings among cast members and give actors a partner to rehearse with and keep them accountable.  I know it wouldn't work in a smaller school, but it is a lifesaver in a big school where I struggle to give kid enough opportunities!

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Kristen Hoch
Thunderhawk Theater Director
Lakota East High School
Liberty Twp, OH
Kristen.hoch@lakotaonline.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-10-2019 10:57
From: Tiffany Garner
Subject: Understudies?

I've decided that I want to cast understudies for my shows next year, but I've never cast a show with an understudy before. How do you work that into rehearsals? And if we only have three scheduled performances, do you have the understudies do one of them? Just trying to get some advice from people who've done it before on what works well and what doesn't!

------------------------------
Tiffany Garner
Theatre Director
American Leadership Academy Gilbert Arizona
tgarner@alaschools.org
------------------------------

I implement understudies as much as possible, typically from our ensemble members.  Generally the rest of the ensemble can cover the missing person if they need to go on.

We emphasize from the beginning that understudies are not guaranteed a performance, and that they are doing this as a way to help their castmates, to improve in their abilities, and to show they are ready to larger roles.  It seems like every show at least one understudy has to go on at least once, whether in a dress rehearsal or performance.  This year, our Prince in Cinderella was out sick for final dress, and we had to replace two actors in The Tempest - one fairly last minute due to grades.  With all 3, it was an eye opening experience for us directors, seeing how those actors have grown and knowing that they are ready for a lead role.

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Laura Steenson
Theatre Director
Reynolds High School
Troutdale OR
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-13-2019 07:13
From: Kristen Hoch
Subject: Understudies?

We use swings in our shows, and I agree with Shira Schwartz's comments--it has saved us on many occasions.  We also double-cast as much as we can for our musicals.  6 performances, each cast has 3 shows, and if there is an illness or problem, all major roles are covered.  It goes far to eliminate competitive feelings among cast members and give actors a partner to rehearse with and keep them accountable.  I know it wouldn't work in a smaller school, but it is a lifesaver in a big school where I struggle to give kid enough opportunities!

------------------------------
Kristen Hoch
Thunderhawk Theater Director
Lakota East High School
Liberty Twp, OH
Kristen.hoch@lakotaonline.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-10-2019 10:57
From: Tiffany Garner
Subject: Understudies?

I've decided that I want to cast understudies for my shows next year, but I've never cast a show with an understudy before. How do you work that into rehearsals? And if we only have three scheduled performances, do you have the understudies do one of them? Just trying to get some advice from people who've done it before on what works well and what doesn't!

------------------------------
Tiffany Garner
Theatre Director
American Leadership Academy Gilbert Arizona
tgarner@alaschools.org
------------------------------