As Swing Day comes to a close, we send our heartfelt thanks to every swing that has ever stepped in to save the show. Audiences and your colleagues are lucky to have you 💕
Be sure to scroll back and check out all of the thoughts shared with us by swings from around the country! #equityteamswing
Eric Bean, Jr. - How can your coworkers, audience members and employers best support swings? Communication is the best support we can ask for as swings. Particularly when it comes to partnering and scene work. Generally, swings are constantly navigating a large amount of material mentally. So, if there is something specific you as a cast member needs from them, please let it be known (we're not mind readers haha). In regards to audiences, the best way to support a swing is to provide them with the same level of excitement and encouragement you would with a member of the full time performance cast. Swings are extremely capable and talented individuals and often are strong enough to play one specific role full time, BUT have the mental capacity and ability to succeed in multiple spaces! It is a rare skill that should always be celebrated!
Janet Saia - What would you like actors who have never been swings to understand about swinging that they probably don’t? What about other colleagues in the theatre? Employers? Audience members? I think people should know that in order to be a good swing you need to have an incredible sense of direction. You need to memorize spacing and blocking just by watching the performers from the wings or from the audience and then be able to go up on stage and do what the other actor you are replacing did. You don't always get a run through so you have to be confident in your ability to reverse direction from what you are watching on stage when you are observing in house.
Sade Simmons - How do you plan your day around a swing's unpredictable scheduling? What's your day-to-day life like? I always start out my day with a healthy and filling breakfast followed by packing my dinner and snacks so no matter what track Im on for- I feel energized and fueled. I also hit the gym before each show- sticking to my workout schedule gives me a sense of routine and structure while also keeping me injury free. While my gym workout tends to be a targeted routine, I follow up at the theatre with a mini full body workout and stretching to get my body primed for the night' Track.
Dwayne Mitchell - Thoughts on being a swing? Forever grateful for my time to learn as a swing. In this industry you never stop learning and growing and I’m grateful for this opportunity.
More insight from swings on Swing Day!
From how they start their day to how audiences and employers can best support swings, swipe through to read #equityteamswing thoughts!
Brittany Bohn - How do you plan your day around a swing's unpredictable scheduling? What's your day-to-day life like? 9 hours of sleep, morning meditation, daily sweat, explore and have fun, keep your phone on ya, cheers with a drink to celebrate your daily wins!
Matthew Steffens - Thoughts on being a swing? I think being a swing is the hardest job in theater. You have to always be ready to do a myriad of herculean tasks. It is also the greatest joy to be able to put your take on several different parts of a show.
Dwayne Mitchell - What would you like actors who have never been swings to understand about swinging that they probably don’t? What about other colleagues in the theatre? Employers? Audience members? "Firstly, I think everyone should swing at least once in their career. It brings a certain awareness about humility, grit, quick thinking, and being able to look at the show from a larger point of view: i.e. Pictures, shapes, textures of the piece. Secondly, I would love for onstage company members to continue to practice grace and encouragement to their peers who don’t get a chance to perform the show 8 times a week. Sometimes even eye contact on stage is a little gesture of making a swing feel supported, seen, and understood. "
Sade Simmons - When do you feel mosty appreciated as a swing? When my co-workers are able to relax and truly enjoy their time on stage with me. That is a true testament to their trust in me that I've done the work and won't leave them hanging when the curtain comes up.
Swing Day continues! Swings from around the country shared their thoughts about what it means to be a swing. Share your experiences w/ #equityteamswing.
"We love saving the show!" - Aaron J. Albano
We spoke to members of #EquityTeamSwing in 2024 about the ups and downs they face with such a demanding job. Check out our YouTube for the full conversation.
https://youtu.be/-KnsZrc1u0s
Sade Simmons - Thoughts on being a swing? It's the best, most challenging job in showbiz, but I honestly love it.
Eric Bean, Jr. - What would you like actors who have never been swings to understand about swinging that they probably don’t? What about other colleagues in the theatre? Employers? Audience members? Swinging is not only about knowing the choreography and staging of multiple characters; it is also about learning the 'performance personalities' and needs of those who you will be interacting with (either as a scene partner OR dance partner)! So communication and continuous observation is key! With that being said, keep in mind that swinging is HARD! So give yourself the grace and space to not be perfect!
Alicia Newcom - How can your coworkers, audience members and employers best support swings? Please continue to advocate for fair pay and adequate contract protections for swings. We're nowhere near we need to be.
Janet Saia - When do you feel most appreciated as a swing? I feel most appreciated when I'm told by management -"Thank you for stepping in at the last minute! We really needed you" or when my fellow performers express appreciation for my work in a particular onstage moment.
Swings get the job done!
Swipe through to read more thoughts from members of #equityteamswing
Dwayne Mitchell - When do you feel most appreciated as a swing? I feel most appreciated as a swing when I am able to get through a show (of course happy with the performance I’ve done) and have the support of my cast-mates/ crew members/ and creative leaders recognizing the work it takes to perform on sometimes a moments notice.
Janet Saia - Thoughts on being a swing? Swinging a long running show has given me the ability in my life to be facile, flexible and adaptable to change in any situation! It is thrilling to step onto stage with brilliant performers and know that you are the same in multiple ways!!!
Michael Iannucci - How do you plan your day around a swing's unpredictable scheduling? What's your day-to-day life like? I always have my phone on. If I'm in a social situation I always explain to whoever I'm with that I'm not being rude...I just have to keep checking my phone...or if a text or phone call comes in I have to take it. I'm lucky to live across the street from the show I'm in. I always make sure I'm home late afternoon...or late morning if it's a matinee day. I'm always on call. Sometimes even the show has started.
Brittany Bohn - What would you like actors who have never been swings to understand about swinging that they probably don’t? What about other colleagues in the theatre? Employers? Audience members? No one teaches you how to be a swing. People can help and give you hints but it’s a process that only you can create for yourself. Everyone’s brain works differently and you simply can’t know what you don’t know. As an older swing I’m less bothered by it now, but it can wear on you when you have people at the show but can’t go on stage to feel celebrated for your hard work. There’s also a frustrating reality at the beginning, that you may never feel relaxed or good about your performance. We are partnering with someone new all the time. You have to try and enjoy yourself no matter what.
Swing Day continues! Swings sent in their thoughts on things you might not know about a swing’s job, insight on how they plan their day and how you can support the swings in your cast! #EquityTeamSwing
"Being a swing is hard. It is so hard." - LaQuet Sharnell Pringle
We spoke to members of #EquityTeamSwing in 2024 about the ups and downs they face with such a demanding job. Check out our YouTube for the full conversation.
https://youtu.be/-KnsZrc1u0s?si=y2j8f_nwqPVgoq14
Swings from around the country sent in their thoughts on various aspects of the work they do. Swipe through for some thoughts from #equityteamswing!
Orange textured background with a navy blue border. At the top, the words “swing day” appear in lowercase navy text. Below are eight navy theater masks arranged in two rows, each with a different stylized facial expression. At the bottom, navy text reads “Actors’ Equity Association 2026.”
Happy National Swing Day 2026 to swings across the country!
We are proud to recognize the incredible talent, preparation and determination that swings bring to every production. Celebrate with us by shouting out a swing today and using #EquityTeamSwing.
A landscape-oriented graphic with an orange textured background and a dark blue border. The text reads 'save the date' in large lowercase letters, followed by 'swing day is january 21, 2026.' The Actors' Equity Association logo, featuring stylized theater masks and the year 1913, is centered at the bottom.
Tomorrow is Swing Day 🎉
Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate with us! #EquityTeamSwing
An orange, textured graphic with a dark blue border announcing Swing Day 2026. The text reads: "what is a swing? a performer who subs in for an ensemble member who is out. swing day is January 21, 2026." The Actors’ Equity Association logo, featuring two stylized masks and the year 1913, is at the bottom.
Swing Day 2025 is Wednesday, January 21!
Time to study up on some swing terminology. Today, let's look at the basics...
What is a swing?
#EquityTeamSwing
A landscape-oriented graphic with an orange textured background and a dark blue border. The text reads 'save the date' in large lowercase letters, followed by 'swing day is january 21, 2026.' The Actors' Equity Association logo, featuring stylized theater masks and the year 1913, is centered at the bottom.
January 21, 2026 🎉
Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate #SwingDay with us! #EquityTeamSwing
Photo of swing Sasha Hutchings
Did you know that Sasha Hutchings, the most recent recipient of the Legacy Robe, is a swing?
We had the good fortune to honor Sasha Hutchings on the opening night of Gypsy just a few weeks ago. Read more about her here - www.actorsequity.org/aboutequity/... #EquityTeamSwing
5 people stand around packed boxes of Swing Day swag.
We send our thanks to the volunteers of Equity's Advisory Committee on Chorus Affairs (ACCA), who helped us pack our Swing Day swag!
Be sure to shout out the swings in your life who have made your job better by tagging @actorsequity.bsky.social and #equityteamswing!
Swing Gabrielle Reid on what you might not know: "It’s one of those things I wish was required track for every actor. The pressure, the TIME(a swings real job starts after opening)! The constant feeling of trying to be right even though there is no way for you to be as you have had no rehearsal. I think if everyone did it, it would be so much more appreciated. For employers, I would live if a swing day was built into the initial rehearsal time of the show. It is too often that swings come in early on their own time and go over things by then selves. It is also too often that swing are on in previews and expected to save the day. It would be amazing if we were given more ability to succeed from the start. "
Swing Sarah Michele Lindsey on keeping notes: "I LOVE paperwork! I have two notebooks during the rehearsal process- one for jotting down everything in the room. Notes from the director/choreographer. Quick drawings of charts and after learning any number I quickly write in short hand the choreography. After a full day of rehearsal I begin my bible. I cleanly write everything down in show order with great detail. Once we get to tech- all my notes are ready to adjust quickly. As tech solidifies each of my tracks, I begin typing out my tracking sheets for each person. I personally prefer printing my tracking sheets out and keeping them at my station for a quick call. I also then transport all my information/charts to stage write, but personally I prefer a written bible."
Swing Ui-Seng Francois on how you can support swings: "HAVE GRACE! Express words of affirmation. Communicate with us when you think you might need to call out (@coworkers). Schedule consistent swing outs!! That way the onstage cast have a break and Swings can build up their reps. This will help to keep the show in great shape overall. "
Swing Dean Cestari on being a swing: "Being a swing is invigorating! It’s challenging & sometimes extremely tough, but it’s SO rewarding. There’s nothing like the rush of stepping into a track for the first time & getting to do the show with the rest of the company. "
Swing Day continues! Swings sent in their thoughts on things you might not know about a swing's job, insight on how they keep track of their notes, and how you can support the swings in your cast! #EquityTeamSwing
Swing Carly Corey: "I transfer all my notes and charts into individual track booklets for each person I cover. It has everything in it to reference quickly in one spot, in show order. They are about the size of notecards. I also color coordinate them… anything to help my brain stay organized. "
Swing Jorge Guerra: "I try to maintain a daily routine that keeps me in shape for what’s ahead whether I’m on or not. For instance, I go to the gym during the week and always do a vocal warm-up after my shower. I make sure I’m drinking enough water and eating well so that if I get notice that I’m on that evening and the adrenaline of going on kicks in, I’m physically and mentally ready especially knowing I have taken care of myself."
Swing Treston Henderson: "Swinging is a skill! It requires you to not stress or become overwhelmed easily. You can absolutely never have a “perfect” show."
Swing Angelica Edwards: "One time my cast mate said “I didn’t even know you were on” I took it as a great compliment because I felt like my performance was seamless and my backstage traffic was exact."
Swings from around the country sent in their thoughts on various aspects of the work they do. Swipe through for some thoughts from #equityteamswing!
Happy 10 years of Swing Day!
Here is a special message from President @thebrookeshields.bsky.social to kick off Swing Day and the special 2025 celebration of A Chorus Year!
#equityteamswing
www.youtube.com/shorts/PS25p...
Save the date: Swing Day 2025 - January 15 Actors’ Equity Association
Save the date! Swing Day is January 15, 2025!
Stay tuned for more details. #EquityTeamSwing
