swing?
swing?
wickedfan5
Swing Joined: 10/31/07
#1swing?
Posted: 2/20/08 at 9:48pmI'm kind of new about the theater, but everytime I go to see a show I ask the same question: What's a SWING? I don't get it, i have heard many different answers so could someone tell me what is a swing. I know that this might be an ignorant question, but I will appreaciate it. Thank you
coolkid11776
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/23/06
#2re: swing?
Posted: 2/20/08 at 9:59pmI think (don't quote me on this) that a swing is similar to an understudy. But the difference is that a swing plays an ensemable(sp) role and if they need a cover the swing will step in and play a lead role. So esentaly they are geting paid to watch the show every night.
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#2re: swing?
Posted: 2/20/08 at 9:59pm
Swings sit backstage waiting to go on...they go on in the ensemble when understudies are either out or are understudying a principal or supporting role for that performance. Some swings are also understudies for principals or supporting roles.
Unless they're a partial swing, swings know all ensemble roles of their gender (although if they're Karmine Alers, sometimes more). 
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Updated On: 2/20/08 at 09:59 PM
george95
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/1/08
#3re: swing?
Posted: 2/20/08 at 10:04pm
From the handy BWW.com info thread.......
27. Standby? Understudy? What the h-?
This can be quite confusing, but easy to understand once you sort of grasp it.
The STANDBY is the first to cover the role when the main performer is out. The standby doesn't perform every night in the ensemble. They're only assigned to the role they're performing. They are required to stay within a close proximity of the theatre, in case of emergencies. Standbys are paid their weekly dues as well as "extra" for performances, but obviously, not as much as the main performer.
If the standby isn't able to make it, the UNDERSTUDY (who normally performs in the ensemble) covers the role.
The SWING covers the UNDERSTUDY's role while they're covering the main role. A swing is a sort of understudy for the all the members of the ensemble. They have to know all of the "tracks" in the ensemble (separated by gender -- there are usually separate male and female swings) and will go on when an individual chorus member is out for whatever reason.
For example, look at a show like Chicago. In the opening "All That Jazz", Velma sings the number surrounded by a dozen chorus members. Each chorus member has his/her own individual steps and movements and blocking to do in that number (that's different from the other members of the ensemble) -- this is called a "track." If a male member of the ensemble is out sick, a male swing will step in to that "track" for him, doing all of his specific blocking and dancing in that number. That swing will know all of the individual choreography for every male dancer in the show (and know exactly where on stage an individual dancer is at all times), so he can step in for any male dancer at any time. The female swings know the individual choreography of all of the female chorus members.
Swing can also refer to understudies for multiple roles in dance heavy shows where the ensemble members also have lines and songs. In "A Chorus Line" a single male understudy/swing would cover the parts of Al, Don, Mike, and Mark and a female swing would cover Val, Bebe, Judy et al......
Thanks Margo!
So. Let's put it into example.
Shoshana Bean is sick, and cannot perform as Elphaba.
Her standby, Saycon Sengbloh, is called in, however, she is unable to perform as well. So the role goes to Shoshana's understudy: Brandi. Brandi is normally in the ensemble, so a swing is called in to cover her role in the ensemble.
wickedfan5
Swing Joined: 10/31/07
#6re: swing?
Posted: 2/22/08 at 11:15pm
That wasn't George's explanation. That was George's copy and paste.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
george95
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/1/08
PUPPETMAN
Understudy Joined: 12/28/07
#8re: swing?
Posted: 2/23/08 at 2:31pmWhen I was an understudy at the local Equity theater, I was not required to be at the theater, but had to call in before the show and get there is needed. I also had to leave a phone number where I could be reached if there was an emergency during the show.
