understudies
Standbys for leads
Understudies is the plural of understudy—a performer who learns a role to substitute for the regular actor if needed.
In theater, understudies attend rehearsals and wait in the wings: Three understudies went on that week when the flu swept through the cast.
The term extends to anyone trained as a backup: She understudies the CEO on major decisions.
Suspended recreational seat
- stand-inTemporary human placeholder
- coverProtect by overlaying
- replacementWhat takes another's place
- rehearsalPre-performance practice session
role · cast · ensemble · blocking · script · lines · cue · stage
Replacement for another
- alternateOccur in succession
- standbyReady substitute awaiting use
- second-stringSubstitute team members
- reliefEasing of distress
fallback · surrogate · deputy · reserve · contingent · auxiliary · bench · provisional
Strongly desiring achievement
- eagerIntensely wanting something
- hungryWanting to eat
- determinedFirmly committed to purpose
- strivingEarnest sustained endeavor
hopeful · breakthrough · opportunity · patience · perseverance · waiting · dream · dedication
swing
Suspended recreational seat
- stand-inTemporary human placeholder
- coverProtect by overlaying
- replacementWhat takes another's place
rehearsal · role · cast · ensemble · blocking · script · lines · cue · stage · performance
substitute
Replacement for another
- alternateOccur in succession
- standbyReady substitute awaiting use
- second-stringSubstitute team members
relief · fallback · surrogate · deputy · reserve · contingent · auxiliary · bench · provisional · interim
ambitious
Strongly desiring achievement
- eagerIntensely wanting something
- hungryWanting to eat
- determinedFirmly committed to purpose
striving · hopeful · breakthrough · opportunity · patience · perseverance · waiting · dream · dedication · goal-oriented
protégé
Person guided by expert
learner · novice · junior · fledgling · emerging · successor · heir-apparent · groomed · shadowing · observing
- theatreBroadway, acting, theatre, stage, actor
- Broadwaymusicals, musical, Tony Award, musical theatre, theaters
- show businessactors, actresses, directors, producers, entertainers
- substitutessubstitute, subs, replacement, substitutes, stand-in
- theater peopleactors, actor, directors, actresses, actress
- backstagebackstage, wings, dressing rooms, dressing room, green room
understudiesleads
Goes in front
stars · headliners · principals · leading ladies · top billing
understudiesstars
Luminous celestial bodies
headliners · celebrities · household names · A-listers · luminaries