If you will see, or have seen, the BYU Theatre production of Blithe Spirit this June, you may notice that there are two names in the cast list who are not given a character role, but simply the role of “Swing.” Just what is a swing, and why are they important for a production? As dramaturg, I interviewed our two swing actors to get their perspectives - and definitions - of this important role.
Bekah Rennie, Female Swing
What is a "swing"? Well, a swing is not really the same as an understudy, because an understudy is usually someone from the ensemble, who is regularly onstage with the cast, but who is prepared to step into a lead role if needed. A swing is someone who is not already onstage as part of the ensemble, but who is prepared to step into any of the roles they’re assigned. Since I’m the female swing, I have to be prepared to step into any of the FIVE female roles in Blithe Spirit!
There are definitely some challenges that go along with being the swing for five different characters. I’m always trying to stay caught up on the blocking for each character and their motivations in rehearsals. Not knowing what it will be like if I do have to go on stage gives me just a little bit of anxiety! I’m also the assistant stage manager for this show, so I’m thinking about those responsibilities, too.
But I’ve really enjoyed jumping in whenever they need something in rehearsals, someone to stand in for a character or record blocking. That’s been thrilling, and it helps prepare me for what it might feel like if I do get called in to perform. It’s nice to see the production side of things and to watch the progress of the show. Because I’m a swing, I know just about every cue and all of the blocking and scene changes because I have to memorize their lines and movement anyway. That’s super helpful for my role as assistant stage manager, too! That’s not common for someone to be both a swing and an ASM. I love the experience, being trusted with this kind of responsibility in only my second semester of college! I’m a true freshman, graduated high school in 2023. I had no idea I would get to do something like this at the college level so soon after I graduated. It’s been great.
Jared Hendricks, Male Swing
A swing is a difficult and important role in any production. They're ready to go on for any character that they're assigned to. In my case, that's all the male roles. In the professional world, you'd be expected to be fully memorized - for example Broadway would also involve song parts and different choreography - for all the parts you're assigned to. Here at BYU we're asked to be very familiar with the lines and have the blocking down so that we're ready to jump in whenever necessary.
Some of the challenges of this role for me have been sitting and watching in so many of the rehearsals. This has been an amazing learning experience, and I'm so thankful to be here, but I do miss being able to perform. Another challenge is definitely trying to get multiple roles in my head, both lines and characterization if needed, and being able to switch to and from at a moment's notice.
But what I’ve really enjoyed is getting to be here in this show at BYU, doing whatever I can. I just enjoy being involved in some way. Especially since this is my first semester here after my mission. I think getting a larger responsibility would have been a bit overwhelming. I’m just not used to the pace of it all! So it’s been helpful to watch and not be thrown into the deep end, just to help me prepare for the future. I’m a pre-Music Dance Theatre major, and this is the first thing I’ve done since high school. I’ve really loved watching the directing process as well, watching the show take shape in rehearsal and seeing why Geoff [Reynolds, the director] makes a lot of the decisions he does. I think this will help make me a better actor. He’s different from other directors I’ve worked with and it’s been fun to analyze “moments” in the show, and to dive this deeply into character analysis. And even if I don’t get to work with him again, I’m going to be thinking about this experience in all of my future shows.
