Closed Topics: Guidelines for using an understudy?

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Guidelines for using an understudy?

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Topic: Guidelines for using an understudy?

Posted By: Christine
Subject: Guidelines for using an understudy?
Date Posted: 8/04/05 at 11:00am

Hi -

I've had to cast an understudy in my show for a fellow who has an "on call" situation at work. The probablility of him being called in is remote, but it's there. Let's call him "Cast Member/Character A"

A fellow with a smaller role (Cast Member/Character B) in the cast has agreed to understudy the Character A role in the event that cast member A is called in. Character B and Character A are not seen on stage at the same time and we have devised a facial hair/costume change to lower the probablility of him being recognized if he is called upon to play both roles.

Here's my question...I'm a first time director and I believe this is the first time in the history of my theatre that an understudy has been used....am I obligated to let Cast Member B perform the Character A role as a courtesy in the event that Cast Member A is able to perform at all shows?

Just kind of stuck here as to what I should do.

Additional information - Cast Member B's strength is in Character B. He is performing excellently in that role. Character A is a bit of a stretch for him, but doable in the event of an emergency.

Replies:

Posted By: flowertowngal
Date Posted: 8/04/05 at 1:31pm

I don't think you're "obligated" but it would be a nice gesture. At our theater, this situation came up once and the director let the understudy perform the role during the Sunday matinee. But as long as you are crystal clear with both of the actors about what is going to happen, you should be fine. In other words, if you do not intend to let the understudy perform the role unless the need arises, make sure he knows that so there is no misunderstanding.

Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 8/04/05 at 9:14pm

I wholeheartedly agree with Flowertowngal. An
understudy is merely a safety net in event of the
worst-case scenario.

I once had the unfortunate task of being an
understudy to four (4!) roles in one play -- and the
play was a door-slamming farce. (My script was
high-lighted with four different colors of markers.)

Luckily, the other actors never missed a show. Had
the director suddenly decided to let me go on "as a
good-will gesture" I probably would have soiled
myself.

-------------
"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone

Posted By: POB14
Date Posted: 8/05/05 at 10:24am

I was in a similar situation to Topper once in college.

I was the alleged "understudy" to about four roles in a Restoration comedy, while playing a one-line role myself. I was never rehearsed in the other roles. Not once. One night, one of the guys didn't show. I was in a blind panic, reading the script, trying to figure out what to wear (he probably weighed 60 pounds less than I did, and I couldn't have put on his costume with axle grease and a crowbar).

He showed, 15 minutes late.

I didn't know whether to shoot him or kiss him on the lips.

-------------
POB
Old Bugger, Curmudgeon, and Antisocial B**tard

Posted By: looking2bcast
Date Posted: 10/05/05 at 7:06pm

I know this is a little late but here is my 2 cents. As others have said you are not obligated to at all. We however have a 4 week run on most of our shows and we give the understudies one weekend and we let the two actors work out what weekend that will be. It is nice most of the time for both the actors to have a break to do personal things etc. We also find that the actors find things that they like in each others performances and it helps as well. I am one of those on call people so most of the time I have an understudy and I dont mind the weekend off by the time we get to the show anyways.