The Life of an Ensemble Member

When you watch a show, usually the focus on the leads. While watching them strut their stuff, sing their hearts out, spit out line after line you might think that they have it tough. How could they possibly do so much work night after night? How were they able to get it all together? They just seem to hold the show together... mmm... You thought wrong! Its the ensemble members who have it tough. (as an official ensemble member of 3 out of 3 shows, believe me, i know)

True the leads have hundreds of lines, but the ensemble member (henceforth to be known as E.M.) has to make up their own (appropriate) lines to fill space when the leads aren't talking or need reactions. 

True the leads spend all their time on stage slaving through blocking, working hard to get their characters right, but... the E.M. spends their time off stage sewing on buttons, making boutonnieres,  cleaning the bathrooms, washing wigs, finding fabric, making scene changes, babysitting, mending costumes, and pretty much anything else that needs to get done..

True the leads sing several solo's, but its the E.M. who has to learn the harmonies (and sing them right) and its the E.M.s who makes the lead sound good. 

True the leads have big parts and developed characters, but the E.M. plays multiple parts and develops multiple characters. And most of the time these characters are polar opposites, of course.

True the leads spend most of their time on stage, but its the E.M.s that make the show happen backstage. 

True the leads are often critiqued by the director, but its the E.M.s who have to direct themselves. 

True the leads have scripted lines, actions, movements, and jokes that all add up to one great show, but its the E.M.s who never do the same thing twice!

True the leads usually steal the show, they are the ones everyone is watching (with good reason, i guess), but its the E.M.s that the audience should pay attention to. Its the E.M.s who are the truly funny ones.

 What it comes down to is being a star is great, but being an ensemble member is just as great, if not better than being a lead (and just as much, if not more work!)

a.k.a. I'm an ensemble member in all three shows and I'm loving it! :)