understudy

3 definitions • 4 examples

an actor who learns the parts of other actors in a play, so that he or she can replace them if necessary, for example if they are ill:

An understudy took over for the rest of the performance and the evening show.

Understudies never know when they might have to go on.

to learn the lines of other actors in a play, so that you can replace them if necessary, for example if they are ill:

He understudied the title role in Broadway's "Tarzan".

Big roles are always given to big stars, so understudying is the only way in the beginning.

an actor or other performer who learns the parts of others in a play, opera, etc., so that he or she can replace them if necessary