understudy

/ˌʌndəstˈʌdi/

/ˈəndɝˌstədi/

Understudy

an actor who practices the lines of another actor in order to replace them if necessary

synonyms : standby

to understudy

MAIN VERB

to learn and rehearse a role in a play or other performance as a substitute for the regular performer in case of need

synonyms : alternate

Examples

1. I understudy four different guys in the show.

2. So how many people do you understudy?

3. And then the understudy came on.

4. I understudy the incomparable Nick Chris as John.