You're Not Just the Understudy: How to Do the Job Well Without Losing Your Spark

by Chris Peterson

Getting cast as an understudy can be a weird emotional rollercoaster. You’re thrilled you were noticed, excited to be part of the show, and then the word “Understudy” sits next to your name like an asterisk. No costume fitting. No solo bow. No guaranteed stage time.

It’s easy to start spiraling. Am I just a backup? Did they not think I was good enough? Was this some kind of pity casting?

Pause. Breathe. Let’s get something straight: being an understudy doesn’t mean you’re less than. Not even close. It means they trust you to step in without warning and keep the entire production from falling apart. That’s no small thing.

If you’ve found yourself cast as an understudy, here’s how to do the job well and stay proud of yourself while you’re at it.

1. Learn the part like you're opening night, not "maybe"

Some actors only half-learn the role, thinking they’ll cram if they ever have to go on. Please don’t do that. You need to know the lines, the blocking, the quick changes, all of it, like you’re opening the show tomorrow.

Even if you never step onstage, the team notices who shows up ready and who coasts. And if you get that 3:00 PM call that the lead is sick before a 7:00 PM curtain, you’ll be ready, and you’ll be a hero.

More importantly, you’ll prove something to yourself: that you’re capable of rising to the occasion. That kind of preparation isn’t just about readiness, it’s about respect. For the role, for the team, and for your own artistic growth. Rehearse like it’s yours, because it just might be.

2. Respect the actor you’re covering, but don’t try to copy them

It’s tempting to treat it like a silent competition: I would’ve made a better choice there. Or worse, I should’ve had the role.

But strong understudies don’t try to out-act the lead or shadow them too closely. You’re there to support the show, not mimic anyone. Learn their blocking, honor their tone, but build a version of the role that feels honest to you. You’re the Plan B, not the carbon copy.

Your performance may only be seen by a handful of people or by a packed house, but either way, it should come from a real place. You’re not filling someone else’s shoes, you’re stepping into the same journey with your own instincts. That’s what makes you an artist.

3. Stay visible without being annoying

Be present. Show up to rehearsals. Arrive early. Do the warm-ups even if you're not called. Let the team see you’re locked in.

But there’s a difference between being dependable and constantly dropping hints like, “I already know all the harmonies!” Do the work. Stay ready. Let your consistency speak for itself.

No one wants an understudy who’s desperate to go on. They want someone steady. Someone who knows the job and does it well without a spotlight. That quiet professionalism builds trust over time. If they know they can count on you, the rest tends to take care of itself.

4. Remember how much trust you were given

They handed you someone else’s performance and said, we trust you to protect this. That’s huge. You are the backup plan when there is no backup plan.

Being an understudy isn’t about standing in the wings. It’s about stepping into chaos with two hours' notice and holding the show together. That’s not something you settle for. That’s something you earn.

The show doesn’t pause for you to catch up. It moves forward with or without you. And when it’s your turn, the entire team is counting on you to keep it afloat. That kind of trust is rare in this business. Take pride in that responsibility.

5. Find your joy offstage too

It’s easy to tie your self-worth to the number of performances you get. But theatre is bigger than the applause. It’s the process. The people. The work.

Even if you never get to go on, you’re still part of the story. You’re still part of the company. You’re still growing. And if you can find joy in that, in the craft and not just the curtain call, you’ll have a much longer and happier life in this business.

Celebrate the day-to-day. The inside jokes at rehearsal. The notes that make you better. The chance to learn by watching and listening. Being an understudy isn’t about waiting around. It’s about absorbing everything until it’s your turn to shine.

So no, you’re not just the understudy. You’re the safety net. The team player. The one they hope they never have to use, but are so thankful to have.

Hold your head high. Learn the part like it’s yours. And when your moment comes, because it will, you’ll be ready. And you’ll know you earned every second of it.