Throughout my career, I’ve been an understudy for the Broadway productions of “Beauty and the Beast” as Lumiere, Prince Eric in “The Little Mermaid,” and “Amazing Grace,” a musical about the 17th century English slave trader who wrote the world-famous hymn.
Each show has taught me something completely different about the experience of being an understudy and you may be surprised by what those lessons are.
1. Rehearsal does not exist.
Aside from being a replacement in “Beauty and the Beast,” I had no rehearsal before I went on for Prince Eric. It is your responsibility to know the role whether or not you get to do it on its feet.
I ran lines in Denver for “The Little Mermaid” with the other understudies between tech scene changes, but when the show moved to New York, all the lines changed and we had to start over! In Chicago, I was thrown on stage during the first weekend of previews of “Amazing Grace” when an accident happened to our lead actor. As frightening as this sounds—and it is the actor’s nightmare—it is a great lesson in taking each moment as it comes. You have no other option in this situation but to live in the moment.
2. You’re an insurance policy.
Sure, being an understudy feels validating; in“Amazing Grace,” I was only the second person ever to play this epic role. However, you’re still only there as an insurance policy. Your job is to make certain the show happens so the audience gets to experience the story and the producers don’t lose their money. The good news here is that you bring fresh, new energy to the show. You can let go of any expectations around playing the role like the actor you understudy and simply bring yourself to the story.
READ: The Rewards of Being an Understudy
3. Some audience members will be disappointed.
When I stepped in as Lumiere, the role was being played by a soap opera actor. He wasn’t known as a stage performer, singer, or personality, but that didn’t stop women at the stage door from telling me, “You were great. You weren’t him, but you were great.” Sometimes, when they made the pre-show speech, the audience would groan. It will probably happen to you as an understudy at least once, but I can guarantee the audience will just be that much more surprised at the end of the show when you’ve nailed it!
4. Sutton Foster’s story is one in a billion.
Perhaps the most famous understudy story in recent years is Sutton Foster’s. She was the understudy during the out-of-town tryout of “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” The lead got sick, she went on, and voila! Tony. That’s the story we hear. But if you ask Foster, I’m sure she would say something different. I’m sure she would say, “I was just doing what I always do, committing to my job 150 percent.” After all, the way you do anything is the way you do everything. Be ready to commit—you never know where it can take you.
5. It feels a bit like skydiving.
Especially the first performance you go on, it’s a rush like nothing you’ve ever experienced. The scariest part is taking the first leap but remember that a beautiful, loving, cast and crew will always be there support you. You will surprise some people at what you’re able to accomplish in the role, and you may even surprise yourself.
6. There’s a Twitter account for that!
Want to know what understudies are going on and where? Follow @understudies on Twitter. They keep track of who is going on at what show. Maybe you’ll see a once in a lifetime performance this upcoming Broadway season.
See you on the stage!
Bret Shuford has appeared in numerous Broadway shows, concerts, commercials, television, and films. As the Broadway Life Coach, he helps people within the industry find balance and confidence in their lives and careers. Download his FREE Broadway Survival Kit resource at http://bit.ly/broadwaykit, and join him on Facebook for free monthly Facebook Live coaching sessions.
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