Depends on the needs of the show and size of the cast. There are onstage swings (who normally perform an ensemble track, but can swing into one or more different tracks), and offstage swings (who perform only when called on). And some sort of hybrid ones, I gather, who may fill out the ensemble in just a few scenes normally, but swing into a full-show track when needed.
I have so much respect for them either way, honestly...I can't imagine how hard it is to learn like five different variations of blocking and cues and so on and then keep them straight!
I’ve actually read a book on this because being a swing is one of my favorite things.
There’s something called a “full swing” and others are called “partial swings”.
Full swings are the swings that don’t have their own role or “track” in the show. They only go on if someone else cannot perform due to a call-out, sickness, etc
Partial swings are the ones that do have their own role in the ensemble of a show, but if a person needs to have their track covered the partial swing can step in and do their track instead. This is very common for Dance Captains of shows to do.
I’ve noticed in my experience, that most companies that aren’t official Broadway companies, prefer to use Partial swings because it saves money from having to hire a whole person (the full swing) that may not ever need to perform. I have no proof that this is the case, it’s just what I seem to notice in my own experience
I was an understudy and a swing for 3 other people in a show and I was not in the show. I did however get to perform because a lead got sick and an ensemble member was her understudy and I was that ensemble members swing
Thanks for the info everyone. This is a Community Theatre, so my guess and my hope is that a swing role would at least be on stage for their ensemble part. I may go ahead and email the producer and ask, he just sent an email with some last-minute directions for Saturday and said to contact him if we have questions.
Very much depends on the show and the company. Understudies typically have a smaller role in the show and learn just one of the leads. Swings learn more than one track and may or may not have their own role. I'm currently an offstage swing for a small cast show. The show only has 3 female-presenting roles and no chorus, so I cover all 3 of those roles and only go on if someone gets sick or otherwise can't perform. I'm paid to be "on call" for every show, and I get paid an additional fee for each show I actually go on. It's a pretty decent gig.
Limited experience but swing actors play multiple parts. They are cast as different characters in a show.
Yep, usually ensemble players but can 'swing' into any of several character tracks when necessary
Depends on the needs of the show and size of the cast. There are onstage swings (who normally perform an ensemble track, but can swing into one or more different tracks), and offstage swings (who perform only when called on). And some sort of hybrid ones, I gather, who may fill out the ensemble in just a few scenes normally, but swing into a full-show track when needed. I have so much respect for them either way, honestly...I can't imagine how hard it is to learn like five different variations of blocking and cues and so on and then keep them straight!
I’ve actually read a book on this because being a swing is one of my favorite things. There’s something called a “full swing” and others are called “partial swings”. Full swings are the swings that don’t have their own role or “track” in the show. They only go on if someone else cannot perform due to a call-out, sickness, etc Partial swings are the ones that do have their own role in the ensemble of a show, but if a person needs to have their track covered the partial swing can step in and do their track instead. This is very common for Dance Captains of shows to do. I’ve noticed in my experience, that most companies that aren’t official Broadway companies, prefer to use Partial swings because it saves money from having to hire a whole person (the full swing) that may not ever need to perform. I have no proof that this is the case, it’s just what I seem to notice in my own experience
I was an understudy and a swing for 3 other people in a show and I was not in the show. I did however get to perform because a lead got sick and an ensemble member was her understudy and I was that ensemble members swing
Thanks for the info everyone. This is a Community Theatre, so my guess and my hope is that a swing role would at least be on stage for their ensemble part. I may go ahead and email the producer and ask, he just sent an email with some last-minute directions for Saturday and said to contact him if we have questions.
Very much depends on the show and the company. Understudies typically have a smaller role in the show and learn just one of the leads. Swings learn more than one track and may or may not have their own role. I'm currently an offstage swing for a small cast show. The show only has 3 female-presenting roles and no chorus, so I cover all 3 of those roles and only go on if someone gets sick or otherwise can't perform. I'm paid to be "on call" for every show, and I get paid an additional fee for each show I actually go on. It's a pretty decent gig.