Swing (musical)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A swing is a stage actor in a musical who can and should perform several roles or functions in the same production. There are several swings in the ensemble, especially when there is a complicated direction or choreography to learn that makes short-term changes of cast difficult .

In contrast to the jump-in or the standby actor in the theater, the swing does not wait for its action and is not obliged to participate at short notice. He is constantly on stage during the performances and has rehearsed several roles from the beginning ( understudy ) in order to take on roles other than his own when absent from illness or vacation.

The swings belong to the middle field of the actors. For a member of the chorus, for example, a substitute for a supporting role can be an opportunity to distinguish himself as a soloist.

The establishment of the swings is related to long and continuous series of performances in en-suite play and is almost unknown in the repertoire system . In opera , at least for the repertoire roles, there are numerous singers who are willing and able to take over at short notice. The direction there is seldom so complex that a short briefing by the assistant director would not be enough to prepare.