Four actors on the high-stakes art of being an understudy: ‘Like being shot out of a cannon’

Matt Raffy currently plays May in the Toronto production of “& Juliet.” They were previously part of the original Broadway cast and pre-Broadway company that performed here in 2022, where they understudied that role. 

Understudying May was one of the first times in my career that I was an understudy. And it just taught me so much more about what theatre really is, and what it means to be part of a team and a company. Understudies, swings and standbys really are the DNA of a show’s success. But to be an understudy also means being in such an interesting mental space. Usually, when you’re performing in the role you understudy, it means the person who regularly plays the part is not well. It’s kind of a bittersweet way of living in the moment, where someone’s negative outcome is your positive, sort of celebrated outcome.

Celeste Catena

Celeste Catena is currently a swing in the Toronto production of “& Juliet.” She covers several ensemble characters and also understudies the principal role of Juliet. 

I’m pretty old-school and still use pen and paper. I just need the physical rote practice of it all, so I do a lot of colour coding with each of my ensemble tracks. Right now, I have a notebook with each of the tracking sheets written down, with all the entrances, exits and props. I carry that notebook with me backstage for every show I’m performing. I’m superstitious and I think the one day I leave it upstairs in my dressing room will be the day that everything falls apart. I actually just completed my first mid-show swing last week. Immediately, you have to start getting dressed then go downstairs. At that point, it very much becomes a mental memory game, filled with a lot of adrenaline. 

Henry Firmston

Henry Firmston is set to reprise his role as Nigel Bottom in “Something Rotten” at the Stratford Festival and will also appear as Harry the Horse in “Guys and Dolls.” Last season, he understudied the role of Freddy Benson in “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.” New York Post entertainment critic Johnny Oleksinski happened to be in attendance when Firmston made his debut in the role, and ended up giving the actor a rave review. 

I went on as Freddy for the first time in September and it was like being shot out of a cannon. I was in the ensemble, but that track had a far different pacing than Freddy’s. Usually, my show was more or less over shortly after intermission, because we did our last ensemble number about 10 minutes into the second act. Afterwards, the rest of that half is basically like 10 Freddy songs. So, the first time I went on as Freddy, I was like crashing in the middle of the second act. I didn’t fuel properly, and I didn’t have enough food in the system. It was just completely ridiculous and I don’t actually remember being out there. I knew someone important was in the house — but I didn’t want to ask more about it. Thank goodness, though, that I didn’t know it was the New York Post critic. 

Gabriel Antonacci

Gabriel Antonacci is set to play Benny Southstreet in “Guys and Dolls” at the Stratford Festival and will also appear in “Something Rotten.” Previously, he’s been an understudy in multiple productions. 

Anytime an understudy, swing or an emergency cover goes on, it’s vitally important to remember that not only is that person’s professionalism, skill and craft getting them through that performance, but it’s also that of the collective cast, pushing everyone in the right direction and supporting those understudies. I think it’s one of those things where sometimes an audience may not be able to put a finger on why something works, but when you add a new element and a new person to the mix, it can make a show feel much more alive. It focuses the group a lot more and forces them to really listen and be in the moment. 

These interviews were edited for length and clarity.