Shove...With Love

There was an article that was floating around online recently about understudies, as well as my own current situation, that brought an event to the front of my mind.

A few years ago, I was riding the CTA when I overheard a phone conversation a woman was having with someone.

"Well, I'm not going to that rehearsal; I'm JUST the understudy, its not like they need me or anything."

I couldn't decide if I wanted to fall out of my chair or smack her. I settled on getting a good look at her face when I exited the bus so I could remember her if she ever showed up at an audition I was running.

JUST an understudy? Not going to the rehearsal? Oh sweetie, you can be very sure that if you ever show up at any audition I am running your name will get a big ol' black mark next to it.

As I have already stated in a previous blog, I believe in the importance of showing up. As an understudy, you are in the unique situation of being able to show up and be helpful...

When I understudied "Watership Down" I missed a total of 2 rehearsals: one was my birthday, and the second was when I was so sick I could barely stand (I figured it was my job to cover the actors when they were sick, not to MAKE them sick). Otherwise, I was there, two copies of the script (one for each actress I was covering) in a giant binder, jotting blocking, marking costume changes, and PRAYING with every bone in my terrified body that I would never have to go on.

I never did. To this day, those two actresses still get hugs from me.

But what DID end up happening was that I was there, so if another actor was missing, I would pop the lines from my seat in the corner; if they needed a warm body I was there. I actually ended up standing in for every character except Bigwig, the General, Hazel...and the two actresses I was covering.  I got to sit and watch the amazing process that Lifeline goes through before they present an adaptation to the public. I got hang out with some pretty cool people, most of who are still very close friends.

I know that understudies get put-in rehearsals if there is a confirmed show where they are going on. I have been BLESSED with two, and will have a third before I ever hit the stage at Chi-Fi, but what if that call comes and there is no time?

When I was understudying the female tracts for "Frodo-A-Go-Go", I got the call that our "Legoland" wouldn't be able to go on for the shows that weekend...with less than 24 hours notice. HOWEVER, I had been to the rehearsals, I knew the shape of the show, I knew the fights.

I know for a fact that there are actors who have been sitting in the audience when they have been gently tapped on the shoulder by an ASM and told to get their butt backstage... 10 minutes after the show has STARTED. I also know times when it has happened halfway through the first act.

Now imagine if you have JUST watched the show once. You have learned your lines, great, you copied the blocking, fantastic...but what if something has changed? What if there is a costume change that you have to do, or one you have to help another actor with?

Being at rehearsal is more than just learning your lines and blocking: it is becoming a part of the team that is putting this show together, becoming a part of the family that a show can become. There is a chemistry that can be missing if you haven't been participating.

The article that was posted recently was about understudies on Broadway and their experiences. It talked about last minute calls, the "shove with love", and how many actors can make a pretty decent living being understudies, if not getting that one chance for a "big break".

Being an understudy does not mean that I am hoping you get sick or that something horrible happens to you; I am not going to push you down the stairs or poison your food (see above re: Watership Down).

It means that IF something happens, I am here, not only for you but for the rest of the cast and for the audience that is coming that night.

SO WHAT if you never get to go on?
You still get to add the credit to your resume, and the more tracks you were tasked with covering, then maybe another director will see that and be impressed.
You still got to work with the theatre, and you got your foot in the door.
You still got to work with a group of actors who will hopefully remember you, and maybe you made some friends along the way.

So, to the amazing people I get to play with at Chi-Fi this weekend: thank you. Thank you for this chance and thank you for your patience.

And especially to my fellow witches and my shades: SHOVE WITH LOVE!!!