Double casting? I've seen plays where they have two sets of actors to play t

Question:back up without giving anybody the thankless task of being the understudy. My question is, how do you conduct the rehearsals? Do you make the adults go through everything twice? Do you have the kids rehearse on different nights? do you have one set watch while the others rehearse?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: back up without giving anybody the thankless task of being the understudy. My question is, how do you conduct the rehearsals? Do you make the adults go through everything twice? Do you have the kids rehearse on different nights? do you have one set watch while the others rehearse?

I've directed children's theatre for about a decade, and I have lots to say about this one...Double casting is not my favorite thing, but it does give two actors (or more if you're triple casting, etc.) an opportunity to play a role they would otherwise not have had the chance to play. Unlike an understudy, whose only hope is that the actor they've understudied can't make the show, a double cast actor gets at least one performance in the spot light.

Rehearsing with double-cast actors can go a few ways:
1. You can have one actor "shadow" the other, meaning both actors are on stage at the same time, speaking and moving essentially as one. This process lets the director know right away who has studied their script or not.
2. Actors take turns, alternating scenes. While one is on stage, the other is intently watching, taking notes if necessary for blocking changes.
3. Everyone can do everything twice.

I feel that it takes a good director's talk to help actors know what is required of them if they are double cast in a role. It is a huge no-no, for instance, for an actor to leave the room while the director is working with their double-cast counterpart. On the other hand, when absences occur, it is quite convenient for one actor to "catch-up" if they missed a rehearsal--they need only ask their double cast buddy what they missed. This promotes good cooperation, team work and overall good relationships among cast members.

idk. i saw on disney channel that when they followed 2 texas high schools doing high school musical that they double-casted and i think its a lil weird. iv been in school musicals (hsm, included) and i think that double casting would take away the specialty of being that part.