A supernumerary is an extra person used in various fields, such as theater and business, to supplement regular staff. They are fully trained and capable of performing a wide range of tasks and can be kept in reserve to replace someone who is off duty. Supernumeraries are also used in organizations and religious orders.
A supernumerary is simply an extra person. The term is used in a wide range of fields, from theater to the justice system. A supernumerary is typically placed on a project to supplement the efforts of regular staff. In this capacity, the redundant could help a company cope with a product launch, or could be held in reserve to replace someone who is ill or otherwise off duty. In general, Supernumeraries are fully trained and capable of performing a wide range of tasks, and generally live normal lives on the outside.
One of the oldest uses of supernumeraries is in the theatre, where trained actors were brought onto the stage to fill in crowd scenes. Members of a crowd often go uncredited, but are still important people in the cast because they add to the look of the set to make the crowd more believable. Supernumeraries are sometimes known as “extras,” and many actors begin working as extras until they find larger roles.
In business, a supernumerary may be kept in reserve to assist a company when it has a lot of work or to replace someone else. This staff may be a former employee or a freelance agent willing to work as an additional employee when needed. Many retailers have redundancies during the holiday season, when there tends to be a need for above and beyond the usual service. A supernumerary judge or official can be very helpful, as the supernumerary ensures that the governing process is not disrupted by illness or other factors.
Organizations also have supernumeraries, who are non-regular members who are familiar with how the organization works, even if they don’t regularly attend meetings. Certain public figures are honored with supernumerary positions in various organizations in recognition of their contributions to society. A supernumerary may also be called upon when an organization needs all members to be available.
Some religious orders also have supernumeraries. These individuals are committed to the goals and ethics of the order, but do not live in the order’s residential facilities or immerse themselves in the life of the order. These individuals live normal lives with the knowledge that they are available to assist when needed and with the expectation that they live their lives in conformity with the ideals of the order to which they belong.
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