I am planning on auditioning for an understudy B'way role. My question is, what is expected of an understudy in terms of rehearsals and performances? Do they have just as many rehearsals as the principles? And are they expected to be AT every performance, just in case? I am auditioning to understudy two roles at once.

Thanks in advance!

I have understudied off- Broadway and been in a Broadway show that used understudies, so here is my take on understudying. It is a fantastic opprtunity, my off-B'way gig led to me being offered the Broadway role, so be the very best little understudy that you can! The amount of rehearsal time varies, but usually you will have to be at rehearsals and just be watching , so I would advise taking down all the blocking for the characters you are understudying, you will only get a couple of actual rehearsals yourself. And, yes, of course you will have to be at every performance, I would also suggest that you watch the show as often as you can in case you have to go on.

Thank you, that was extremely helpful!