The Importance of Ensemble

While lead roles may capture the spotlight, it’s the ensemble that creates worlds audiences truly connect with.

The ensemble breathes life into a story by adding authenticity, depth, and intrigue. This cast of characters adds context, dimension, and the realism needed to elevate a musical from a simple story to a powerful production.

“The ensemble is often the BEST place to learn your craft and grow your skills–they usually are the hardest working and most important part of any story”. – PAA Resident Director, Topher Lengerich

The Role of an Ensemble

Ensemble is often synonymous with background, support, unnamed characters, and fillers. As theater experts, we couldn’t disagree more!

The ensemble is an essential element that allows the audience to connect with the story and characters rather than just watch a scene unfold. It’s the catalyst that makes a fictional story relatable to audiences.

Picture the musical Annie without her band of struggling orphans. Without her powerful ensemble, Annie is stripped of her leadership and hero-like characteristics and reduced to a lonely girl searching for a home.

Imagine Newsies without Jack Kelly’s devoted union. You’re left with an unemployed young adult and a story without connection or community.

“As artists, we aim to create art that mimics the world around us. Without the ensemble, the world of the play can’t mimic everyday life! The ensemble helps make the show more interesting for the audience” – Marisa VerSteegh, PAA Teaching Artist & Choreographer

Bottom line, the ensemble brings the show to life by engaging our senses. It enhances the show visually and supplies a layer of real-world sounds and energy. Our everyday lives include main characters, supporting characters, and people in the background – why should the stage be any different?

Benefits of Being Cast as Ensemble

Your eyes frantically slide down the cast list, eagerly searching for your name, only to find yourself in the ensemble – CONGRATULATIONS! Being part of the ensemble opens the door to personal growth, skill development, creative expression, and unforgettable memories.

Personal Growth & Skill Development – Being part of the ensemble offers a unique path to personal growth and skill development in musical theater.

Ensemble members:

Refine all aspects of performance—singing, acting, and dancing—without the added pressure of carrying a lead role. This creates a supportive space to grow in confidence and technique.
Learn from their peers by observing lead roles working in their craft.
Develop collaboration skills through vocal harmonizing and synchronizing movement.
Challenges performers to develop multiple characters within a single show, deepening their versatility and creativity.
Master the art of the quick costume change—a backstage skill that builds speed, adaptability, and grace under pressure.

Creative expression – Being in the ensemble offers a unique and exciting outlet for creative expression. It’s a dynamic space where creativity thrives, and every performance becomes a personal artistic statement.

While lead roles are often tightly bound to specific scripts and directorial choices, ensemble performers enjoy the freedom to make spontaneous character decisions that bring depth and authenticity to the stage.
Each ensemble member has the opportunity to embody different emotions and perspectives, adding richness to the overall story.
Through challenging choreography and intricate vocal harmonies, ensemble members showcase their talents while contributing to the collective energy of the production.

Collaboration & Lasting Memories – The ensemble naturally fosters deeper bonds, with more time spent together both on and offstage. Whether it’s laughing through rehearsals or navigating the chaos of a quick change, the camaraderie grows stronger with every shared experience. Working side by side toward a common goal creates a powerful sense of teamwork, making every performance not just a show but a collective triumph.

PAA’s Resident Directors & Teaching Artist Ensemble Moments:

My first big job out of college was being in the ensemble of the National Tour of Annie. The tour had already been out for a year, and I was a replacement for someone who had just left. I was only 22 and was hitting the road with only 5 days of rehearsal! I got to learn so much by performing 8 times a week without the added pressure of having a principal role. I loved that I got to play lots of different characters and had about 10 costume/wig changes throughout the show. And since Annie is such a long show, there was also a lot of time backstage to read, play games, and get to know all of my castmates! I performed leading roles in two tours after this production, and I know that my time in the ensemble of Annie gave me the stamina and experience I needed to be successful! – Katie Reid – Resident Acting Director, Teaching Artist, and Thespian

My favorite ensemble member experience was in Escape to Margaritaville! I had around 12 costume changes and played about that many different characters. It was so fun to have the freedom to roam around the stage and to create moments with other actors that were so different for each scene. As the ensemble, YOU create the world of the show; without you, the show doesn’t work! – Marisa VerSteegh: PAA Choreographer, Teaching Artist, and Thespian

I adored working with such amazing tap dancers during 42nd Street. We had so much fun dancing our feet off, and changing clothes as fast as we possibly could!And in a small way, what made it so memorable was the acting freedom. My friend and I created an elaborate backstory that we were twins (she’s short, I’m tall, ha!) and so excited to be booking the show-within-a-show together – think full character names, nicknames Sistary and Bropher, inside jokes, and soap opera drama. It made for such a lasting and memorable experience as the whole ensemble had an entire world to explore every night. I’m still great friends with the entire ensemble to this very day nearly 20 years later.- Topher Lengerich: PAA Resident Director, Teaching Artist, Royal Caribbean Vocal Director, and Thespian

So the next time you see your name listed as “Ensemble, prepare yourself for a theatrical experience that will perfect your skills, challenge your creativity, and create instant community.