It's summertime in the city, and that means that there are much fewer auditions being posted and hosted. During this time, it's easy to feel restless or unproductive -- after all, you want to stay sharp and focused so that you're as ready as you can be come the fall, but it's also soooooo tempting to enjoy the "vacation". So what do you do? Is there a way to do both? I think there is! Here are 8 ways to keep busy between auditions that will help you feel connected to the theatre scene while also taking advantage of the unofficial break.
#1 -- Search for New Songs to Add to Your Repertoire
Another season's come and gone, and you've had some hits, some misses, with your audition book. Use this time away from the holding room to replace what isn't working with other material that excites you. Hop on Spotify and make a playlist of potential new songs. Create the playlist using material that works for you / the music already in your book, singers you can emulate, and favorite songs you always find yourself singing (because when all else fails, choose what you love to sing). Plug those into the app, see what recommendations the algorithm gives you, sift through to find your new favorites, and start learning!
#2 -- Read Plays That Interest You
This may not be the most fun item on this list, but it's important for a few reasons. First, it's the best way to keep even a fraction of your mental energy on the theatre. Second, the more works you know, the more well-rounded you'll be in auditions and beyond as you can always learn something from every piece out there. Third -- and what I think is most important -- plays are where you'll find material to use for monologues. That's why I specifically noted "plays that interest you": not only will it be a huge drag if you're forcing yourself to slog through plays that you think you're supposed to like, but you'll also have a much harder time finding characters that you see yourself in (which is essential when it comes to finding the right monologues for you).
#3 -- Watch Oscar-Winning Movies
This one shouldn't feel like work at all. Who doesn't love a great movie or bingeable TV show? Watch on your own or with a friend, then make time to discuss afterwards, things like: What worked about this actor's performance? What didn't? What nuances sold their character for me? What made me what to root for / against them? Obviously, this exercise works with any movie or TV show, but watch award-winners and analyze even further: What about that actor's performance is different or stands out? What made it Oscar-worthy / Was it Oscar-worthy? So go pop some popcorn and find out!
#4 -- Sing Through Your Favorite Cast Albums
This entry could simply be SING because that's the most important part here. I cannot stress how quickly your singing voice will get out of shape when not in regular use. So, first and foremost, sing all the time, period. But, to take it one step further, keep your stamina up by singing through whole shows. On a long car ride? Crank the Legally Blonde album volume to max and screlt those top notes -- your fellow commuters will thank you. In the shower? The shampoo bottle is your microphone, and the rivers of water running down your face are your tears as you sing through Les Mis. In an empty house? You better believe it's time to bust out the ol' Phantom of the Opera and revel in the reverb. It does not matter when nor where; just sing and sing often.
#5 -- Attend a Show (or Two or Three or Four or Seven)
Such a chore, I know, going to a show! Nothing is more inspiring than sitting in an audience, seeing the lights dim, feeling the swell of the orchestra and the hush of the crowd around you, everyone gearing up to experience live art together. And how special the theatre is, that you're experiencing the show differently from audiences that came before you, from your fellow audience members, and even from your friend next to you because no two performances are the same and no two impressions are the same. So go to the theatre, simply bask in that magical space, and enjoy. Then, when you're going home, discuss eeeeeeeeverything about it so that you can put your own thoughts to words, as well as better understand how your experience differed from your friend's.
#6 -- Read Non-Fiction or Biographical Works About People Unlike You
Maybe it's just my opinion and my preference for fiction, but this one is arguably the most "work" of everything on this list. But Heidi-Liz, I hear you saying, didn't you just tell me to read plays with characters that I enjoy or relate to? Now you're telling me the opposite? Now I'm telling you to do both, my dear reader, thank you for pointing that out! Yes, read plays and/or works with topics that you're passionate about or characters that have similar mindsets to you: because those characters will come swiftly and easily to you, perfect for crafting monologues as they are meant to sell "you", the product. Then, read biographies or non-fiction (or plays, if you can!) with topics you don't understand very well or characters that are vastly different from you: because those characters are out there as well, and you may need to tap into a mentality vastly different from your own in order to believably play them. The more types of people you understand and can empathize with, the more you have to work with in your actor's toolbox. So, start researching.
#7 -- Attend Dance Classes
You're well on your way to preparing your mind for the fall, but don't forget about your body! I can personally attest to the unfortunate truth behind Newton's First Law of Motion: an object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion. If your body gets accustomed to lounging for a prolonged period of time, it is SO HARD to get back into the routine of regular trips to the gym, daily stretches, not to mention a full-blown dance track. You can find summer dance programs or intensive camps all over the place, so try to make time to go to a few classes (or just one: one is always better than none). And if you're like me and are having to build your endurance back up from being stagnant for a while, start with just a walk a day. Take a trip to the gym. Follow a YouTube video of beginner's yoga poses. Start moving in some capacity; it will feel near impossible to make routine at first, but it will be well-worth it, I promise.
#8 -- Prepare for the New Season
New season means a lot of new auditions, new opportunities, and new faces, both in front of and behind the audition table, so you need to plan ahead for what will give you the best chance to stand out among the sea of actors. Do your headshots still represent you and what type(s) you want to be considered for? If not, do some research into headshot photographers and reach out to those whose work you connect with. Are there any roles listed on your resumé that you've outgrown or that don't represent your essence at this stage of your life? If so, it's okay to remove them. There's nothing wrong with shuffling roles on your resumé around -- adding some, removing others -- as you learn, grow, and change as a performer (just make sure you keep a master list of all your credits so there's no chance you forget one that absolutely should be included!). Did you perform in anything this past season with footage that you can use in a reel? If so, track that footage down and find an editor friend to help you put it together with your existing footage (and I hope you're willing to pay them for their help). What about your acting website? What about your social media presence? What about your self-tape setup? These are the sorts of questions you have to ask yourself while you have the time to address them.
That's it! Now you have a ton of options to keep you busy during the break, and I hope you take advantage of the extra time we've been given. What are you doing this summer in pursuit of the theatre? Are there any pastimes that I missed? Leave a comment down below if you feel so inclined!
Thanks for reading, #DreamTeamHLJ, and stay cool [this summer].
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