An Actor in Quarantine
How to Stay Creative While Social Distancing
This is me performing in Ethan J Miller’s Virtual Choir of ‘Sunday’ by Stephen Sondheim. Click on the link to watch it!
Can We still perform?
Yes! I have been so inspired by all of these artists all over the world coming together in creative ways to continue to perform, write, direct, and more. Through Zoom, YouTube, and social media in general, we are able to connect and collaborate in ways that we didn’t know were possible. I’ve continued to have voice lessons with my teacher, performed in a show through Zoom with writers and actors, and I had the wonderful opportunity to perform in a virtual choir orchestrated by Ethan J. Miller! Think of this time as an opportunity to update your website, work on your craft, and write your own material.
This is my theatre notebook! I take notes on shows I’m in as well as books and plays I read. It’s important to take notes and write about what you find interesting in your work or readings.
plays, memoirs, novels, and more!
Another way to keep creative during this time is to read up! Whether it’s reading a new play or diving into a supernatural world, it is important for us to keep our minds busy and challenged. Here are some books, plays, or podcasts that I have listened to or read or am going to:
The Actor’s Life: A Survival Guide by Jenna Fischer
The Nether by Jennifer Haley
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Armchair Expert- Dax Shepard’s podcast
The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl
If you have any suggestions of anything I should add to my list, let me know!
stretch, stretch, and dance
Throughout my acting training, my teachers have always stressed the importance of Yoga because it forces you to be in tune with your body and to take care of it. I have found that on days during social distancing when I’m feeling sad, bored, or just down, once I do some Yoga I feel so much better! YouTube has many different Yoga teachers that upload anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour of a Yoga practice. Yoga is also really helpful for your mental health during this time and I really recommend it.
Why not work on your dance training during this time as well? Stress and anxiety can get trapped inside our bodies and dancing is the best way to shake it all off. Artists are holding livestreams on Instagram of them teaching dance classes and there is always the option of going on YouTube to learn a dance style that you have not tried yet. I have linked some great Yoga and Dance practices below: