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understudy: Definition and Much More from Answers.com

  • ️Wed Jul 01 2015

An understudy is a theatrical term for someone who learns the lines and blocking/choreography of a leading actor or actress in a theatrical play. Should the lead actor or actress be unable to appear on stage because of illness or accident, the understudy takes over the part. Usually, when the understudy takes over, the theater manager will make the announcement prior to the start of the performance. Several actors made their name in show-business by being the understudy of a leading actor and taking the role over for several performances (for example, Anthony Hopkins with Sir Laurence Olivier).

More recently, the term "understudy" has generally only been applied to performers who will cover a part, but still regularly perform in another role within the show; usually a minor, extra role. Performers who are only committed to covering a part and do not regularly appear in the show are often referred to as standbys. Standbys are normally required to sign-in and remain at the theater the same as other cast members, although sometimes they may call in, until they are released by the Production Stage Manager. If there is no doubt about the health of the actor being "covered," or there are no hazardous stunts to be performed, a standby may be released at the first intermission if not before.

In musical theatre, the term swing is often used to refer to a member of the company who understudies several chorus and/or dancing roles.

In the opera world, the term used is cover or covering.

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - dubleant
v. tr. - dublere
v. intr. - dublere

Nederlands (Dutch)
doublure, invaller, instuderen/optreden als invaller (drama)

Français (French)
n. - suppléant, (Théât) doublure, (gén) suppléant
v. tr. - (Théât) doubler
v. intr. - (Théât) doubler

Deutsch (German)
n. - Ersatzschauspieler, zweite Besetzung
v. - als Ersatz einstudieren, vertreten

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - αντικαταστάτης ή αναπληρωτής (ηθοποιού)
v. - μελετώ ρόλο για την περίπτωση αντικατάστασης ηθοποιού

Italiano (Italian)
sostituto

Português (Portuguese)
n. - substituto (m) (Teat.)
v. - ensaiar papel para ser eventual substituto (ator)

Русский (Russian)
дублировать кого-л., дублер

Español (Spanish)
n. - (teat.) sobresaliente, actor suplente
v. tr. - aprender (un papel) para reemplazar a otro actor (en caso necesario)
v. intr. - actuar o trabajar como suplente

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - ersättare, inhoppare
v. - assistera, vikariera

中文(简体) (Chinese (Simplified))
预备演员, 代替之人, 替角, 演习...以备当配角, 充当...的替工, 当替角, 当替工

中文(繁體) (Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 預備演員, 代替之人, 替角
v. tr. - 演習...以備當配角, 充當...的替工
v. intr. - 當替角, 當替工

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 임시 대역 배우, 후보 선수
v. tr. - ~의 대역의 연습을 하다
v. intr. - ~의 대역을 하도록 연습하다, ~의 임시 대역을 하다

日本語 (Japanese)
v. - 代役を務める, 代役のけいこをする
n. - 代役

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) ممثل بديل يقوم بدور الممثل الاساسي عند الحاجه (فعل) يتعلم دور غيره للحل محله عند الحاجه‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮שחקן המכין עצמו להחליף שחקן (תיאטרון) אחר, מחליף‬
v. tr. - ‮למד (תפקיד) כדי להחליף שחקן אחר בעת הצורך‬
v. intr. - ‮גילם תפקיד (במקום-)‬

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