I was recently cast as the male lead in the school play, but as the understudy. It was between me and this other guy and he won I guess lol. I'm happy for making that, but at the same time its just kind of a downer bc I'm going to have to learn all the lines for nothing. In the meanwhile, because of the fact I'm the understudy for the lead, my real part is the smallest possible. I understand she did this to not overwhelm me, but honestly, I'm not sure if I should even bother learning the lines. Should I be proud, or is the understudy part truly not a big deal?
2007-09-21 11:04:10 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
Being an understudy is a huge deal! Last year one of our leads ended up in the hospital seriously injured a month before the performance and he didn't have an understudy. We had to get an actor to learn everything in a month and he did a wonderful job! If we didn't have him we wouldn't have had much of a show! Plus you'll have an advantage because you'll already know the part if something does happen. It also means that the director trusts your acting abilities, and knows that you can step up if called upon. Perhaps the only reason you didn't get the part in the first place is one little detail that the lead does have, that hasn't shown through for you yet.
2007-09-21 14:58:21 · answer #1 · answered by C1-J2 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Understudy Play
2016-10-05 23:52:41 · answer #2 · answered by correia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being an understudy is fun it shows you that you can play this part your director just wants to know if you can play this role heck you never know you might get a bigger role in the next play so just have fun with it I'm an understudy in shrek the musical and I'm learning almost every detail about Gingy and you have to study this part otherwise the director might not let you be the understudy anymore
2014-07-06 09:40:33 · answer #3 · answered by kassidy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you should be proud. Understudy is a huuge deal.
Understudy means you are Good Enough to do the role. You were not a Perfect Fit. That's all.
If your director does not give you Stage time as the lead, your director is a dad-blamed eejit.
You are NOT learning all those lines for nothing. You are learning all those lines so you can step in and be a hero, if need be.
Do not EVER slack off on lines. You could be called upon to Save The Show.
Or not. That's Show Biz.
2007-09-21 18:39:53 · answer #4 · answered by d_cider1 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You cannot afford to neglect understudies. You really I can't. I've been in several productions where the director hasn't bothered to get an understudy and a lead actor has fallen ill or something.
The fact is that the understudies job is harder, because should they be needed they'll get launched into this massive limelight with very little rehearsal time. It's a big responsibility and if I were you, I'd be very proud indeed that I'd been seen as responsible and talented enough to shoulder that kind of burden.
2007-09-21 12:38:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
If your director does not have understudy rehearsals and schedule at least one performance that they do, then he or she is an idiot for having burdened people by making them understudies. In the professional theatre the understudies often do the matinees. And they have rehearsals and get a good salary. If an amateur theatre wants to use people as understudies, it should reward them. If there is no reward for being the understudy like doing a performance, then quit Go tryout for a role in another play somewhere else. Sheesh!
2007-09-21 16:46:18 · answer #6 · answered by Theatre Doc 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Learning the understudy part is like buying insurance: you won't see the need for it now, but if you ever do need it you'll be so glad you have it. I say you should commit yourself to learning your lines as if you're going to play the lead role every night. If you blow off the understudy part you'll be regarded poorly and you might not be offered parts in future plays.
Break a leg!
2007-09-21 11:16:31 · answer #7 · answered by Lucas C 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Theatre Doc advocates quitting? I don't believe it! He's right about the likelihood of your getting a chance to perform, but if you've made a commitment to do the show, stick to your commitment. If you haven't yet accepted the role, then find out whether you will get to perform the lead or not, and if not, THEN decline the role. But N.E.V.E.R. bail on a commitment, once you've made it, unless there is absolutely no choice (illness or injury, family moving, teachers withdrawing your elegibility because of declining grades, etc.)!
2007-09-24 21:46:03 · answer #8 · answered by actor22 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your getting good practice for one thing and If that person with the lead gets sick or breaks a leg your the star.
2007-09-21 11:15:07 · answer #9 · answered by flip4u 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
NOOO!! It's huge =) you need to work hard... what happens if the guy gets sick and you mess up and ruin the play? or if he just needs a break? trust me.
2007-09-21 11:20:14 · answer #10 · answered by Laura Block 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋