Why It's Ok For Actors To Slow Down Right Now
COVID-19 is changing the world as we know it. If you’re an actor right now, you’re almost certainly out of work.
And for once, Broadway isn’t going to bounce back.
According to the NY Post, Broadway is now considering staying dark until well into the summer. Producers are worried shows will not sustain the economic loss. The Tony Awards are postponed indefinitely. Regional theaters are cancelling the remainder of their seasons.
A woman walks through a lightly trafficked Times Square in New York, Monday, March 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig
You may be feeling anxious, unwell, uncertain of what’s to come.
Yes, you can use this time to revamp your resume, find new audition material, take online vocal coaching sessions, read some plays, write your next novel, stock up on self-tapes, etc.
But it’s ok to slow down, too.
As actors, we’re unusually apt to always being on-the-go. The concept of slowing down is foreign to us.
It’s ok to be upset about gigs that were cancelled. It’s ok to grieve the loss of upcoming jobs. It’s ok to fear for your future.
But right now, your health and well-being are crucial.
Check in on your mental health. Are you feeling lonely? How are you taking care of yourself? How is your family doing? Are you getting any fresh air? Are you sleeping well?
Here are some simple ways to give your body some much needed rest.
8 hours of sleep
Daily meditation practice
Yoga
A daily bath with lavender oil
Chai tea and 30 minutes of reading
30-minute walk
Tea over a facetime chat with a friend
Self-massage
Take this time for you.
How are you supporting yourself financially right now? Are you worried that you won’t be able to make rent this month?
In NYC, mortgage payments, credit card fees and ATM fees will be waived in New York for the time being. Evictions have been halted on a 90-day moratorium, meaning no one can be evicted in New York state until at least June 20th. Rent relief may be on its way soon.
If you’re low on money, make sure you’re cancelling any uneccessary subscriptions causing monthly withdrawals from your bank account. If you’re out of work, search for other opportunities to make your way in the meantime. Freelance on Upwork. File a claim through the Actors’ Fund for assistance if you’re eligible.
Rest, re-set, and focus on you.
Abandon musical theatre right now if you need to.
It will always be there.
Find this helpful? Be sure to check out the Actor Aesthetic podcast. New episodes every Monday!
Let’s work together to make the best of a not-so-great situation.