Hidden Heroes of the Stage
Hidden Heroes of the Stage
Hidden Heroes of the Stage
By Rylee Vogel
You settle into your seat at the theater, and you hear over the microphone “attention
ladies and gentlemen, at this performance Julie Benko will be playing the role of Fanny
Brice”, or the slip of paper falls out of the Playbill stating that the swing will be covering
Ensemble Track 4.
You get to experience something unique to live performing arts and get the opportunity
to see the often-unseen work of swings, understudies, and standbys. You many wonder
the difference between these roles and their importance to a production…
Swing
Swings learn several roles, or tracks, in a show. They most often cover multiple ensemble and supporting tracks and may potentially cover leads. Often, swings stay backstage each night, prepared to go on for any of their tracks, at any time. They can cover anywhere from one to all of the ensemble roles in a show.
Understudy
Understudies cover large principal roles; however, they also play smaller supporting roles in the ensemble every night. Generally, if a lead actor and the standby go out, the understudy takes on the role, and the swing will cover the understudy’s track. It is not very often the understudy has to change into a leading role mid-show, especially if there is a standby. However, it is important for understudies to understand the depth and details of the show at all times.
Standby
This role is very similar to a swing; however, standbys cover the largest leads in the show. They sit backstage ready to step into the leading role if something were to go astray. If the production is big enough to have this role, they are the first in line to play it any time the leading actor is out.
All three of these roles allow the production to run. Especially in a post-COVID world, performers try to be more conscious of their physical and mental health in order to promote longevity in a production. Meaning, swings/understudies/standbys are more important now than ever. They ensure the performance will happen despite injury, illness, and any unforeseen circumstance. The show must go on…
Unfortunately, there is a stigma around these performers. They are seen as second best, or the second choice for the role; however, this could not be further from the truth. The talent required to learn several tracks in a show should never go unnoted. Often, these performers never get the opportunity to physically learn the track during rehearsals. Instead, they sit on the side, watch, and take notes. They understand the positioning- or blocking- of each role, learn different harmonic parts, and learn different choreography for each role they cover. Despite this, they still manage to give a seamless performance where the audience would have no idea the cast is different than the norm. Swings must be the most trustworthy and versatile performers in the cast.
So, next time you have the opportunity to see that Broadway show, and you learn that the swings are on, take an extra moment to appreciate the hard work that creates a beautiful production both on and off the stage.
It's Showtime!
We are very excited to launch our “In the Wings” blog at Wenger. Of course, you’ve known Wenger since you stepped foot on the theatre stage or sang your heart out standing on the choral risers. Now as an performing arts professional, you’re molding and guiding performers every day, and we’d love to help. You can subscribe, or follow us on social channels so you never miss a post.
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