In theater, an understudy is a performer who learns the lines and blocking/choreography of a regular actor or actress in a play. Should the regular actor or actress be unable to appear on stage because of illness or emergencies, the understudy takes over the part. Usually, when the understudy takes over, the theater manager will make the announcement prior to the start of the performance.

In the opera world, the term cover or covering is used.

More recently, the term "understudy" has generally only been applied to performers who will cover a part, but still regularly perform in another role within the show; usually a minor, extra role.

Similar tasks[link]

Performers who are only committed to covering a part and do not regularly appear in the show are often referred to as standbys. Standbys are normally required to sign-in and remain at the theater the same as other cast members, although sometimes they may call in, until they are released by the Production Stage Manager. If there is no doubt about the health of the actor being "covered," or there are no hazardous stunts to be performed, a standby may be released at the first intermission if not before. At times, standbys are required to stay within a certain area around the theater (10 blocks in New York City is a common standard). The standby must also have a cell phone so that at any time they can be called to the theater.

The term is also regularly applied in association football, most often to describe a second choice goalkeeper whose appearances are limited to when the regular first choice player is absent through injury or suspension. A notable example is Chris Woods as long term understudy to Peter Shilton for the England national football team.

In musical theater, the term swing is often used to refer to a member of the company who understudies several chorus and/or dancing roles.^[1] If an understudy fills in for a lead role, a swing will act the parts normally performed by the understudy. A super swing is a swing who may commute around the country as needed to act in various productions of a widespread show.

In contrast, a prompt cues an actor while not personally being on the stage or in the spotlight.

Multiple understudies[link]

In some instances, a lead role will be covered by multiple understudies. The second understudy will only perform if both the principal actor and the first understudy are unable to perform.

Notable examples[link]

Several actors made their name in show business by being the understudy of a leading actor and taking the role over for several performances, including: Anthony Hopkins for Laurence Olivier, when Olivier became ill with cancer during the run of the National Theater's The Dance of Death, 1967; Ted Neeley for Jeff Fenholt during the 1971 Broadway run of Jesus Christ Superstar when Neeley was asked to star in the 1973 film version and subsequent tours; and more Edward Bennett for David Tennant as Hamlet in the RSC's 2008 production.

References[link]

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Theresa Rebeck (born c. 1958) is an American playwright, television writer and novelist. Her work has appeared on the Broadway and Off-Broadway stage, in film, and on television. Among her awards are the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Award.

Early life and education[link]

Rebeck was born in Kenwood, Ohio, and graduated from Cincinnati's Ursuline Academy in 1976.^[1][2] She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame in 1980,^[3] and followed that with three degrees from Brandeis University: an MA in 1983, a M.F.A. in Playwriting in 1986, and a Ph.D. in Victorian era melodrama, awarded in 1989.^[4]

Career[link]

Past New York productions of her work include Mauritius on Broadway at the Biltmore Theatre in a Manhattan Theater Club Production; The Scene, The Water’s Edge, Loose Knit, The Family of Mann and Spike Heels at Second Stage Theatre; Bad Dates and The Butterfly Collection at Playwrights Horizons; and View of the Dome at New York Theatre Workshop. Omnium Gatherum (co-written, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2003) was featured at the Humana Festival, and had a commercial run at the Variety Arts Theatre in 2003.^[5] Her play The Understudy, premiered at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in the summer of 2008, with a cast including Reg Rogers, Bradley Cooper and Kristen Johnson, and ran in New York at the Roundabout Theatre from October 2009 - January 2010, featuring Julie White, Justin Kirk, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar in the cast.^[6] Rebeck is also writing the book for the new musical Ever After, based on the Drew Barrymore movie of the same name. That show was expected to start pre-Broadway tryouts in San Francisco in April 2009, but has been indefinitely postponed. Her play, Mauritius, ran at the Pasadena Playhouse in California from March 27 through April 26, 2009.^[7]

Her play Seminar will play on Broadway starting in October 2011, and stars Alan Rickman.^[8]

In television, Rebeck has written for Dream On, Brooklyn Bridge, L.A. Law, American Dreamer, Maximum Bob, First Wave, and Third Watch. She has been a writer/producer for Canterbury’s Law, Smith, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and NYPD Blue. She is currently the head writer and one of the executive producers for the NBC musical series Smash, which debuted on February 6, 2012. Her produced feature film screenplays include Harriet the Spy, Gossip, and the independent feature Sunday on the Rocks.

Rebeck’s other publications include Free Fire Zone, a book of comedic essays about writing and show business. She has written for American Theatre magazine and has had excerpts of her plays published in the Harvard Review. Rebeck’s first novel, Three Girls and Their Brother, was published in 2008 by Random House/Shaye Areheart Books.

She has received awards including the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Award, the Writers Guild of America Award for Episodic Drama, the Hispanic Images Imagen Award, and the Peabody Award, all for her work on NYPD Blue. She has won the National Theatre Conference Award (for The Family of Mann), and was awarded the William Inge New Voices Playwriting Award in 2003 for The Bells. Mauritius was originally produced at Boston’s Huntington Theatre, where it received the 2007 IRNE Award for Best New Play as well as the Eliot Norton Award.

Rebeck is a board member of The Dramatists Guild and the Lark Play Development Center in New York City, and has taught at Brandeis University and Columbia University. Rebeck is married, residing with her husband, Jess Lynn, and two children, Cooper and Cleo in Brooklyn. "Three Girls and their Brother" is dedicated to both Cooper and Cleo.

In an article in the New York Times in September, 2007, she said that her plays were about "betrayal and treason and poor behavior. A lot of poor behavior."^[9]

Television[link]

For her work on NYPD Blue she was awarded a Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award and a Writers Guild of America award for Episodic Drama.

• Canterbury's Law
• Smith
• Law & Order: Criminal Intent
• Third Watch
• Maximum Bob
• Total Security
• American Dreamer
• L.A. Law
• Dream On
• Brooklyn Bridge
• Smash

Plays[link]

Her other work as a playwright includes:

Full-length

• Seminar (2011)
• Good Behavior (2011)
• The Understudy (2007)
• Mauritius (2007) ^[10]
• Our House (2009)
• The Scene (2006)
• The Water’s Edge (2006)
• The Bells (2005)
• Omnium Gatherum (2003) (co-written with Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros)
• Bad Dates (2003)
• Dollhouse (2000)
• The Butterfly Collection (2000)
• Abstract Expression (1998)
• View of the Dome (1996)
• Sunday on the Rocks (1994, Final version - 1996)
• The Family of Mann (1994)
• Loose Knit (1992)
• Spike Heels (1990, Final version - 1992)

One Acts

• Mary, Mother of God, Intercede for Us (2006)
• Aftermath (2005)
• Off Base (2005)
• How We Get to Where We're Going (2004)
• Train to Brooklyn (2003)
• Deliver Me (2003)
• The Actress (2002)
• Art Appreciation (2002)
• Funeral Play (2001)
• Josephina (2001)
• First Day (2000)
• Walk (1999)
• Great To See You (1998)
• The Contract (1997)
• Katie and Frank (1996)
• Does This Woman Have a Name? (1993)
• What We Are Up Against (1992)
• Candy Heart (1992)
• Drinking Problem (1991)
• Big Mistake (1991)
• Sex With The Censor (1990)
• The Bar Plays (1990)
• O Beautiful (2011), written for the professional actors at the University of Delaware^[11]

Film[link]

Her work as a screenwriter (or story writer) includes:

• Catwoman
• Gossip
• Harriet the Spy
• Seducing Charlie Barker

Personal life[link]

Rebeck lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn with her husband, Jess Lynn, and two children.^[9]

Bibliography[link]

• Rebeck, Theresa (1999), Theresa Rebeck: Complete Plays Volume I 1989 - 1998 (1st ed.), Smith & Kraus, ISBN 1-57525-172-8 
• Rebeck, Theresa (2007), Theresa Rebeck: Complete Plays Volume II 1999 - 2007 (1st ed.), Smith & Kraus, ISBN 1-57525-444-1 
• Rebeck, Theresa (2007), Theresa Rebeck: Complete Plays Volume III Short Plays 1989 - 2005 (1st ed.), Smith & Kraus, ISBN 1-57525-447-6 

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Theresa Rebeck at the Internet Movie Database
• Theresa Rebeck at the Internet Broadway Database
• Who's Who entry from Playbill
• Channeling Theatre: A Chat with Theresa Rebeck, a January 2004 Playbill article
• Her Notre Dame study theatre work in the late 1970s, from the university's website
• Theresa Rebeck at Random House
• Theresa Rebeck: "I Am a Populist", an L Magazine article from December 11, 2009

Frank Turner
Frank Turner at a radio session for XFM in London.
Background information
Birth name	Francis Edward Turner
Also known as	Frank 'Dave' Turner
Born	(1981-12-28) 28 December 1981 (age 30) Manama, Bahrain
Origin	Meonstoke, England
Genres	Folk, folk-punk, hardcore punk, alternative rock
Occupations	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, Vocals
Years active	2001–present
Labels	Xtra Mile Recordings (UK), Epitaph, Paper + Plastick
Associated acts	Million Dead, Reuben, The Record Buying Public, Kneejerk, Badger Doritos, Albuquerque Meat Hat, Dive Dive
Website	frank-turner.com

Frank Turner (born 28 December 1981) is an English^[1] folk/punk singer-songwriter from Meonstoke, Winchester. Initially the vocalist of post-hardcore band Million Dead, Turner embarked upon a primarily acoustic-based solo career following the band's split in 2005. To date, Turner has released four solo albums, two rarities compilation albums and four EPs. Turner began recording for his new album England Keep My Bones, in January 2011. It was released on 6 June 2011 in the UK, and 7 June 2011 worldwide.

Early life[link]

Turner was educated on a scholarship at Eton College, where he studied alongside Prince William,^[2] and later went on to attend the London School of Economics where he read History. His father, Roger Turner, is the son of Sir Mark Turner, formerly chairman of high street retailer BHS, and had himself also attended Eton before becoming a City investment banker, while his mother, Jane, the daughter of a bishop, is a primary school headmistress.

Musical career[link]

Beginnings and Million Dead (Up to 2005)[link]

Turner's musical career began at school, with the short-lived alternative band Kneejerk. The band released three records and played several shows around the UK (including a support slot for Boysetsfire), before disbanding in November 2001. The last record, their only full length, was entitled 'The half life of kissing' and was released by Yorkshire DIY hardcore label Sakari Empire after the band had actually broken up.^[3]

In 2001, Turner joined London post-hardcore band Million Dead at the invitation of former Kneejerk drummer Ben Dawson.^[4] In 2005, after four years and two albums, the band announced that they were parting ways, as "irreconcilable differences within the band mean that it would be impossible to continue."^[4]

[edit] Sleep is for the Week and Love Ire & Song (2005-2008)

Turner's first solo shows took place prior to the break-up of Million Dead, with a set at the Smalltown America all-dayer at 93 Feet East in London. After the band's split, Turner felt that "it seemed like the logical thing to do to try my hand at playing these songs more publicly and more concertedly than before".^[5] Turner states that "when Million Dead finished, I wanted to stay on tour, but I didn’t want the hassle of putting a band together."^[6]

After a split EP with rock band Reuben, Turner's first solo EP, Campfire Punkrock, was released in May 2006 on Xtra Mile Recordings, with him being recorded and backed by Oxford band Dive Dive who he had met while out on tour with Reuben.^[5][7] Band members Tarrant Anderson, Ben Lloyd and Nigel Powell would become his backing band from this point on, with most of his subsequent UK headline tours being full band shows. After touring in support of American singer-songwriter Jonah Matranga, the two released a split EP in August 2006. In September, he was the last act to appear on Steve Lamacq's "Lamacq Live" show on BBC Radio 1.^[8] Turner's debut full-length studio album, Sleep Is for the Week was released in January 2007, again recorded at Dive Dive's studio, produced by their guitarist Ben Lloyd^[9] and featuring drummer Nigel Powell.

After an extensive tour, including dates supporting yourcodenameis:milo and Biffy Clyro, and an appearance at SXSW,^[10] Turner released an EP, The Real Damage, in May 2007. After a further tour with Jonah Matranga and Jacob Golden, the "All About The Destination" DVD was released in October, before returning to the studio in Hampshire to record his second album. The album, Love Ire & Song again saw Ben Lloyd from Dive Dive in the producer's seat,^[11] and was released on 31 March 2008, followed by an extensive UK tour with Andy Yorke and Chris T-T. T-T also joined the live lineup on keyboards through summer 2008.

During summer 2008, Turner made several festival appearances, including sets at Y Not Festival, Two Thousand Trees Festival, the Cambridge Folk Festival, Truck, Glastonbury, Jam By The Lake (in Durham) and the Reading and Leeds Festivals.

In October/November, during his 2008 UK Tour for the Love, Ire and Song album, he became ill with gastroenteritis, and was forced to leave the stage in Nottingham halfway through his set. All remaining shows, which included Nottingham, Liverpool and Ireland, were cancelled - the first time that Turner had cancelled any show in ten years.^[12] He went on to reschedule all cancelled shows in January 2009.

[edit] Poetry of the Deed (2008-2010)

In December 2008 Turner released The First Three Years, a compilation of demos, b-sides and covers that are not featured on either of his studio albums. In January 2009, he released a combined package of The First Three Years and Love Ire & Song, and supported The Gaslight Anthem on their tour of the UK and Europe, demoing several new songs and announcing his plans to record a new album in May. The album was produced by Alex Newport, as previously suggested in interview by Turner.^[13] His band at the time still consisted of Ben Lloyd, Tarrant Anderson and Nigel Powell from Dive Dive, with keyboardist Matt Nasir having been added on the Love, Ire and Song tour.

Prior to recording Poetry of the Deed, Turner stated that:^[14]

Turner was announced as the support act on The Offspring's summer tour, during which he documented his travels with a blog on British music website NME.^[15] Regarding the support slot, Turner stated: "Smash was one of the first punk records I ever bought, and I’m blown away to even be considered for the shows. From a “career” point of view, it’s also great - playing to many thousands of people a night across the States is an opportunity not to be sniffed at."^[16]

On 28 April, Turner signed with Epitaph Records for releases outside the UK.^[17]

Preceded by the single "The Road", Turner's third studio album, Poetry of the Deed, was released on 7 September 2009 and reached #36 in the UK album chart. The following month he embarked upon a UK tour with his band in support of the album (with singer/songwriter Beans On Toast and US band "Fake Problems" as support acts), culminating in a sell-out show at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on 29 October 2009. A live DVD/CD, entitled Take to the Road, documenting two shows from the tour - Shepherds Bush Empire and the Union Chapel - was released in the UK in March 2010. In November 2009, Turner began a tour of the US which moved to Europe from 28 November and returned to the UK on 19 December. He completed the year with a New Year's Eve show at The Spiegeltent in Gloucester.

In early 2010, Turner played several more UK gigs, with Chuck Ragan and Crazy Arm supporting. He also accompanied Flogging Molly and The Architects on the 2010 Green 17 Tour, and announced via his Twitter that he was working on new songs.^[18]

In June, he supported Green Day on their stadium shows, and also featured as the cover star of Kerrang! magazine for the first time, with an article inside documenting his solo career up to that point.

[edit] Rock & Roll EP and England Keep My Bones (2010-present)

Turner played at many festivals throughout the summer, including his headlining appearance at the Two Thousand Trees Festival, playing his new song I Still Believe. The song was released first as a single and then appeared on his Rock and Roll EP. I Still Believe appeared on Turner's most recent album, England Keep my Bones, released on 6 June 2011.^[19] Turner also contributed one song, a cover of Build Me Up Buttercup, to Centrepoint's 2010 Charity cover album 1969 Key to Change.^[20] On 25 January 2011 he was nominated for two Shockwaves NME Awards, for best Solo Artist and best Band Blog or Twitter.^[21]

Turner announced on his Twitter on 24 February 2011 that his fourth studio album would be called England Keep My Bones and that it would be released in the UK on 6 June 2011 and worldwide on 7 June 2011. He also announced details of solo tours in Australia, Germany, UK, and the US & Canada.^[22] Frank started recording of this album on 10 January 2011 ^[23] and finished recording on 20 January 2011,^[23] with mixing completed in February 2011. In March 2011, Turner stated that:^[24]

On 21 March 2011, it was announced that Turner would be making the step up to the main stage at Reading and Leeds in August 2011.^[25] He spoke about the "perks" of playing Reading in a recent interview with 6 Towns Radio.^[26] He will also be playing Download, Blissfields and Cambridge Folk festivals, as well as many other festivals across Europe.

Several songs from England Keep My Bones were debuted at Playfest (a new music festival in Norfolk) on 28 May.

Turner leaked new song, "I Am Disappeared" to YouTube on 29 March 2011, later making it available for free download through Xtra Mile. He also announced on the 29th that he would soon be releasing "Peggy Sang the Blues" as the first single from the album.

In early 2011, Turner was booked to play as a headliner at Blissfields Festival.

During his May 2011 tour, Turner played a new song, tentatively titled "Rod Stewart." This song later became retitled as "Sailors Boots" and features as the B-side to "If Ever I Stray".

England Keep My Bones entered the UK chart at number 12 on its week of release, Turner's highest charting album to date.^[27]

Turner later released a rarities compilation, titled The Second Three Years, on 18 November 2011 through Xtra Mile Recordings and 16 January 2012 through Epitaph Records. The album compiles material recorded after the release of Turner's first compilation, The First Three Years, that does not appear on either of Turner's two successive studio albums, including tracks from EPs, singles, covers and unreleased material.

On 21 April 2011 Frank played his 1000th solo show at the Strummerville festival in Shoreditch, London.

In spring 2012, he is scheduled to play several dates in Canada as an opening act for Joel Plaskett.^[28]

On Friday 13th April 2012, Frank headlined Wembley Arena to a sold out crowd of 12,000^[29][30]. Support for the show came from Beans On Toast, dan le sac vs Scroobius Pip and Billy Bragg.

Backing band[link]

Turner's band, 'The Sleeping Souls',^[31] both live and in the studio, consists of:

• Ben Lloyd - guitar, harmonica, mandolin
• Tarrant Anderson - bass
• Matt Nasir - piano, organ, guitar, backing vocals
• Nigel Powell - drums, percussion, backing vocals

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

• Sleep Is for the Week (2007)
• Love Ire & Song (2008)
• Poetry of the Deed (2009)
• England Keep My Bones (2011)

TBA (2013)

Videography[link]

• Casanova Lament (unaired)
• Vital Signs (2006)
• The Real Damage (2007)
• Photosynthesis (2008)
• Reasons Not to Be an Idiot (2008)
• I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous (2008)
• Long Live the Queen (2008)
• The Road (2009)
• Poetry of the Deed (2009)
• Isabel (2010)
• Try This at Home (2010)
• I Still Believe (2010)
• Peggy Sang the Blues (2011)
• If Ever I Stray (2011)
• Sailor's Boots (2011)

DVDs[link]

• All About the Destination (22 October 2007)
• Take to the Road (22 March 2010)

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website

Interviews[link]

• Frank Turner Interview
• Frank Turner on England Keep My Bones, libertarianism, Brian May and more
• Frank Turner invites Virgin Red Room to his gorgeous garden for an interview on England Keep My Bones.
• YuppiePunk Q&A on pop songwriting, punk rock capitalism and social media
• 26 Sept. 2009 Interview with ThePunkSite.com
• Stereokill Interview: 29 October 2008
• Stereokill Interview: 4 April 2009
• GiggingNI.com talks to Frank Turner
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfT0b2INxO4&feature=avmsc2
• Frank Turner Photo Interview
• Stereoboard Interview: March 2011
• Frank Turner on 6 Towns Radio with Terry Bossons: 20 May 2011
• A snapshot into the mind and musings of Frank Turner
• Folk-punk musician Frank Turner - PRI's The World interview with Marco Werman: 19 April 2011