What does Standby mean?
Standby is a performer in a theatrical production who is specifically contracted to cover one or two named leading roles — as opposed to an understudy, who typically covers a role while also performing another role in the production. A standby does not perform in the show on a regular basis but remains on call and ready to go on at any time. Standby contracts are most common for the leading roles in major Broadway productions, where the financial and reputational stakes of a sudden star absence are highest. Standbys are paid to be available and prepared but may rarely or never actually perform.
Example:The standby for the lead role in the Broadway musical had been prepared and ready for eight months without going on — until the night the star developed laryngitis and the standby stepped in for the first time, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.
Example: The child actor’s theater teacher explained the difference between understudies and standbys: understudies perform in the show while covering another role, while standbys are hired exclusively to cover a specific lead and may spend an entire run without ever setting foot on stage in front of an audience.
Did you know?
The standby arrangement is essentially an insurance policy for major productions — the star’s ability to perform is the production’s primary commercial asset, and a standby ensures that the show can go on regardless of what happens to that performer. Some standbys develop remarkable careers built almost entirely on last-minute performances, building reputations for exceptional work under pressure that regular cast members rarely have the opportunity to demonstrate.
