On any given night, there are 48 performers on stage for The Lord Of The Rings.

If a principal actor falls ill, an understudy from the 35-person ensemble steps in.

But then who fills the ensemble role?

Or what if one of the ensemble gets sick, hurt or goes on holidays?

Enter the swing, some of the hardest-workin' folks in showbiz.

"We're the people that save the day if something goes wrong on stage," said Omar Forrest, a 29-year-old Regina native who has a background in competitive gymnastics and track and field.

Forrest's athleticism, along with this theatre and dance experience, will serve him well.

As a member of the seven-person swing, Forrest must learn virtually every ensemble role, because he never knows what he might be called upon to play.

"It's brought together all these different skills and interests that I've had."

PLAYS: Swing