Because if the person playing the role gets sick or cannot perform then they need someone to stand in who knows all the lines and what to do, so then the play isn't a failure.
Standbys and understudys perform when the actor or actress they are understudying are unable to perform which can be because of sickness, vacation, etc.
"Stand-by" and "understudy" are both terms that refer to an actor who is ready to replace another in their absence. According to Actors' Equity, there is no contractual difference between "stand-by" and "understudy." "Stand-by" is considered a more prestigious billing term, and although it has generally come to refer to one who is a non-performing member of the show whose sole job is to replace an actor if need be, it is not the case by definition. "Understudy" generally refers to a cast member of the show, usually an ensemble member, who also knows the part of another and will step in if need be.
It is someone in the company who must know basically all the roles in the production because swings are the people who fill in for the understudy, when the understudy must play someone else's role. They are basically all of the "understudy's understudy"
An understudy is an actor who substitutes for an actor in a prominent role when that lead actor is unavailable. The understudy is prepared to go on stage at every performance, just in case.
Substitute for an actor.
It depends which production you saw, and when. Here are a list of current understudies and standbys for all English speaking productions. Broadway: Jennifer DiNoia (standby), Stephanie Torns (understudy). First National Tour: Mariand Torres (standby), Carla Stickler (understudy). Second National Tour: Anne Brummel (standby), Christine Dwyer (understudy). San Francisco: Felicia Ricci (standby), Alyssa Fox (understudy). London: Nikki Davis-Jones (standby), Stevie Tate-Bauer (understudy). Sydney, Australia: Zoe Gertz (understudy).
Standbys and understudys perform when the actor or actress they are understudying are unable to perform which can be because of sickness, vacation, etc.
An understudy should not necessarily have an understudy.
A protege is an understudy
"Stand-by" and "understudy" are both terms that refer to an actor who is ready to replace another in their absence. According to Actors' Equity, there is no contractual difference between "stand-by" and "understudy." "Stand-by" is considered a more prestigious billing term, and although it has generally come to refer to one who is a non-performing member of the show whose sole job is to replace an actor if need be, it is not the case by definition. "Understudy" generally refers to a cast member of the show, usually an ensemble member, who also knows the part of another and will step in if need be.
You would use a standby generator as a back up electricity source when there are outages of electric power. Business such as factories and also offices would have a standby generator in place.
The second or third student is normally called an "alternate." Other terms used in competitions are substitute, understudy, or standby.
Mandy Gonzalez was the lead Elphpaba in July. If She wasnt on it might have been her standby Jennifer DeNoia. Or her understudy, although it probably wasnt, Stephanie Thorns. Hope this helps :) -Shae
The theater's lead actress fell ill, so the understudy was called in to take her place.
The Understudy - Seinfeld - was created on 1995-05-18.
Understudy - Smash - was created on 2012-04-09.
It is someone in the company who must know basically all the roles in the production because swings are the people who fill in for the understudy, when the understudy must play someone else's role. They are basically all of the "understudy's understudy"