The Must-Go-Ons of Broadway

Jimmie "JJ" Jeter, me, Elvie Ellis (February 2025).

Tonight, after Hamilton was over—after the bulk of the cast had signed autographs and slipped away—my friend Teka and I were still hanging out, chit-chatting about everything and nothing. Then the stage door opened again, and out came two more actors: Jimmie “JJ” Jeter (Aaron Burr) and Elvie Ellis (Standby).

I was thrilled because I will never, ever be unhappy to meet Broadway stars (and to me, they’re all Broadway stars). Even better, they patiently chatted with us, posed for photos, signed my Hamilton postcards, and let me pepper them with questions.

And then it happened. I asked the question that had been simmering in my brain for years:

“What’s the difference between a standby, a swing, and an understudy?” *

I don’t know where it came from—it just popped out. I knew they were all substitutes in some form, but I couldn’t figure out why Broadway needed so many different titles.

Elvie gave me the clearest answer I’ve ever heard (paraphrased, of course):

• Swing → Doesn’t necessarily perform every night, but knows multiple ensemble roles and can cover them as needed.

• Understudy → A member of the ensemble who also studies several principal and/or minor roles, ready to step up when needed.

• Standby → Doesn’t perform in every show either, but is dedicated to one or more principal roles and ready to step in at a moment’s notice.

As he explained, I felt the gears in my head click. “I get it!” I told him. “You are the must-go-ons of ‘the show must go on!’”

He laughed, but agreed with the sentiment. Without swings, understudies, and standbys, Broadway would grind to a halt. They’re the unsung heroes who rehearse multiple roles, memorize countless lines, and keep track of choreography, blocking, and cues for every role they need to play—so when the unexpected happens, the show really can go on.

Stage actors already seem magical to me, but understanding just how much this special group of performers does skyrocketed my admiration into the stratosphere.

Sure, I could have Googled this years ago. But tonight, I got the answer from an actual Broadway actor, right at the stage door. That feels better than any search result. Even better? Elvie—who covers Lafayette—will be performing that role next Saturday (a night I’ll be working), so I’ll get to see him in action!

What a gift: two generous performers, a crash course in backstage brilliance, and a fresh reminder of why I love waiting at the stage door just a little longer than everyone else.

Here’s to JJ, Elvie, and every swing, standby, and understudy out there. May they keep breaking legs forever.

What about you? Have you ever met a swing, standby, or understudy at the stage door—or maybe even seen one step into a role mid-show? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments. After all, half the magic of theater is sharing it with other fans who “get it.” 💫

*(I also found this article to be helpful: Swing, Standby, Understudy: What You Need to Know)