For many theatergoers, that moment is all too familiar: opening a Playbill only for a small slip of paper to flutter out, announcing a cast change. It’s a quick heads-up that an unexpected performer will take the stage.
Yet, for understudies finally stepping into the spotlight, these seemingly humble slips are cherished acknowledgments of their hard work and dedication.
However you feel about them, these paper notices—a true Broadway tradition—are on their way out.
A recent, quiet agreement in the tentative contract between the Broadway League and Actors’ Equity Association means these paper inserts, known in the industry as ‘stuffers,’ will soon become optional. The proposed deal, currently being voted on by Equity members, will allow productions to announce most cast changes using QR codes within Playbills, supplemented by either a verbal announcement or a posted cast list in the lobby.
But for some seasoned Broadway performers who recall their own understudy days, there’s concern that audiences simply won’t take the extra step to scan QR codes on their phones to discover who’s performing.
“From an environmental perspective, I understand these slips are wasteful, and I get why producers want to eliminate them for cost and other reasons,” stated Julie Benko. She famously covered the lead role in the recent revival of “Funny Girl” and even developed her own show, “Standby, Me,” based on her experiences as an understudy across four musicals.
“However,” Benko continued, “the immense effort put in by understudies, swings, standbys, and alternates often goes unnoticed. These small pieces of paper ensured they received a moment of recognition from the audience watching them perform.”
The shift to QR codes was initiated by producers. Both the union and the Broadway League opted not to discuss the change publicly. Union members have until Thursday evening to cast their votes on the new contract, which includes a 3 percent annual raise over the next three years and increased contributions to the healthcare fund.
Since the coronavirus pandemic, cast changes have become increasingly frequent and often occur at the last minute, with more actors missing performances. This new system risks making these alterations even less apparent to the audience.
Alex Birsh, Playbill’s chief operating officer, recently informed theaters that his company has already developed dedicated “at this performance” landing pages for every production, ready for the upcoming QR code system.
Birsh, whose family has run Playbill for three generations, acknowledged that the inserts are “certainly part of a tradition.” He recounted how his grandfather once secured a sponsorship deal with Western Union for these slips, but the company later withdrew, not wanting to be linked with notices that sometimes conveyed disappointment to theatergoers.
“While they sometimes carry a hint of disappointment,” Birsh explained, “they can also spark excitement, as you might be witnessing the very beginning of an extraordinary career. An understudy slip should always be a source of excited curiosity.”
Broadway history is rich with tales of understudies who seized their moment and rocketed to stardom. Shirley MacLaine, for instance, was famously discovered while covering a role in “The Pajama Game” when the lead injured her ankle, catching the attention of a movie producer. Similarly, Sutton Foster rose to fame by stepping from understudy to lead during the pre-Broadway run of “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
Broadway isn’t the pioneer in this digital transition; QR codes are already a common alternative for touring productions across the U.S.
There’s one notable exception to the digital-first rule: shows that require cellphones to be locked away in pouches—such as the current Broadway production of “Liberation,” mirroring other shows with adult content—will continue to use physical inserts. This ensures audiences can still access cast updates when their phones are unavailable.
Jennifer Ashley Tepper, a producer, Broadway historian, and programming director at 54 Below, a renowned Broadway cabaret club, shared that she cherishes “several framed understudy slips from performances when friends and future stars went on for roles that they covered.”
She describes this impending change as “a bittersweet shift.”
“The disappearance of understudy slips,” Tepper concluded, “marks the vanishing of yet another tangible piece of theater history.”