The Show Must Go On

Last month, actor Hugh Jackman, who is currently starring on Broadway in The Music Man, delivered a heart-felt on-stage thank-you speech to understudies in New York City after actor Kathy Voytko stepped up to replace Jackman’s fellow lead, who had tested positive for Covid-19.

Jackman told the audience that Voytko performed the lead role just hours after her “very first rehearsal” in the part.

He then went on to say that understudies all know and learn ten roles. They watch from the corner of the room while regular cast members get to practice and prepare for the show. They turn up for work at noon and must be prepared to play?any?of these roles.

On Broadway, “the show must go on” isn’t just a saying; it’s a way of life.

Understudies need to be able to maintain and perform multiple roles, sometimes at the drop of a hat. There’s a misconception that these people are second best, when in fact, they’re hired because they have the talent to do a myriad of things, like different roles and accents.

How’s Your Understudy Pool Looking These Days?

If there’s one thing we learned from this pandemic, it’s that the future is unpredictable. Several vital employees could get sick, or one of your best people could resign.?

If this happened, would you be able to service your customers in an acceptable manner? Would you still be able to hit the target numbers you’ve established to achieve business growth?

With the tight labor market, you can’t simply call up a temp agency and expect a qualified replacement to show up ready to step in and perform.?

Nor can you realistically expect to find top talent at a moment’s notice, which is why your company needs designated understudies.

These are people whom you’ve cross-trained and can step into multiple roles, should the need arise.

They’re flexible and are keen on taking on new challenges.

They’re fine being out of the limelight and are comfortable when asked to take the lead.

Preparing Your Understudies to Take the Stage

Before you can prepare an understudy to take the stage, you must let them know they’re going to be asked to take on different roles. Ideally, this is best done at the time of hire. However, you can solicit current employees to see if they’re interested in taking on this role.

Next, you must provide them with proper training so they have the skills to do the job you’re assigning them to. Ideally, give them the opportunity to observe the people they may have to replace temporarily.

Lastly, you’re going to want to increase their pay as they increase their skills. Keep in mind that when they’re fully trained, they are much more valuable to your organization than those who can only cover one job.

No one goes to a Broadway show hoping to see an understudy. But when it happens, the director wants to be 100 percent sure the show goes off without a hitch.?

The same goes for your organization. You hope that people remain well and that your top talent will stick around. Should this not be the case, you can rest more easily knowing you’ve got a well-trained team, ready to take the stage at a moment’s notice.

Your Assignment this week:

Make a note of critical positions in your organization where the show would not go on if the people in these roles could not perform.

Next, identify the skills required to do these roles.

Then, look at your current team and select understudies.

The last step is to begin the process of grooming your understudies, so they’re prepared to step in when called upon.?

As always, feel free to get in touch if you’d like to discuss this assignment with me or any other matters that are top of mind.

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