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broadway bound

User

Chorus Member

Posts: 38

Karma: 1

What does "swing" mean? - 2007/10/25 17:56 Can anyone tell me exactly what "swing" means? I've seen people listed as "swing" in a cast and I never was able to figure out what that means. Thanks! Is that the smell of sulfur?
Oh its a stage effect!

Release your davits and jump!

-I've had a vision!
-Of disaster?
-No, of azaleas!

There is a curious paradox that no one can explain: who understands the secrets of the reaping of the grain? Who understands why spring is born out of winter's laboring pain, or why we all must die a bit before we grow again? I do not know the secret, although I know it's true. I hurt them for that reason. And myself a little bit too.

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Starlet_Actress21

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Leading Player

Posts: 316

Karma: 5

Re:What does "swing" mean? - 2007/10/25 17:59 I think it means that they're there to take over any part that might be free that night- kinda like a major understaudy...? But I'm not entirely sure. Auditioning for: Brigadoon, theatre season, American Music Theatre, Into the Woods, Sound of Music, and AMDA.

Currently In: Nothing

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aliauthor

User

Leading Player

Posts: 349

Karma: 7

Re:What does "swing" mean? - 2007/10/25 18:33 I don't know, but in sports someone who 'swings' to Varsity from JV fills in when there's a space needing to be filled- I'm pretty sure theatre is the same way (unless it means the actor played a swingset in the production, which I don't think would be a very desirable role

) -Ali

Currently:
-Sheila; Boys Next Door (postshow depression mode)
-acceptance to acting ensemble
-Bye Bye Birdie (audition- didn't get a callback)

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chainfire316

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Newbie

Posts: 18

Karma: 1

Re:What does "swing" mean? - 2007/10/25 23:20 I am almost completely certain a swing is simply a understudy who isn't in the chorus when not performing as one of the leads. Mike

Current Role: None

Last Role: Charlie Brown - You're a Good Man Charlie Brown
Favorite Role: Bobby Strong - Urinetown

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mezzo_soprano

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Supporting Player

Posts: 226

Karma: 1

Re:What does "swing" mean? - 2007/10/26 08:47 this is from wikipedia.org
"In musical theatre, the term swing is often used to refer to a member of the company who understudies several chorus and/or dancing roles."

Post edited by: mezzo_soprano, at: 2007/10/29 14:29

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broadway bound

User

Chorus Member

Posts: 38

Karma: 1

Re:What does "swing" mean? - 2007/10/29 11:55 Thanks for the answers! Is that the smell of sulfur?
Oh its a stage effect!

Release your davits and jump!

-I've had a vision!
-Of disaster?
-No, of azaleas!

There is a curious paradox that no one can explain: who understands the secrets of the reaping of the grain? Who understands why spring is born out of winter's laboring pain, or why we all must die a bit before we grow again? I do not know the secret, although I know it's true. I hurt them for that reason. And myself a little bit too.

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CwEinDallas

User

Chorus Member

Posts: 51

Karma: 7

Re:What does "swing" mean? - 2007/11/06 13:57 a swing is often also a dance captain, they know several different tracks of the show just in case. for example if a lead can't go on and the understudy has to fill in, the swing will often be the one to fill the understudy's role. Chris

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