In theater, an understudy, referred to in opera as cover or covering, is a performer who learns the lines and blocking or choreography of a regular actor, actress, or other performer in a play.

Do understudies get paid?

THEY GET PAID FOR EVERY TRACK THEY COVER …

As a standby, you can cover, I believe, three roles, and the second that you cover more than that, you have to be paid an additional amount, per week, for each role that you cover.” Sometimes, moving from swing to understudy means taking a pay cut.

What exactly is an understudy?

An understudy is someone who has a normal job in the production – an ensemble/chorus member who has a small part, but usually, they don't play a character with a name or a storyline. If the part doesn't have an alternate, then an understudy will go on. This is the case for every other role in the show except for A Ham.