Student Blog: What Comes Next?

With grad season upon us, I find myself having finished my freshman year as a musical theatre major. This year has been one of adventures, stresses, new loves, and new lows– but through all of it I’ve been able to learn so much about myself and the field I hold so dearly. While I miss my life at school and can’t wait to continue it in the Fall, as most of us are, I am home for the summer, and asking myself– what comes next? What happens now that I’m home? Finding ways to stay connected to the theatre world can feel difficult over the summer, as it can feel like you’re on your own when it comes to keeping up with your craft, but there are plenty of ways to stay up to date on your creative work even when out of school!

I’m spending my summer doing a variety of things to help keep up with my goals creatively, but also to relax and unwind after a work heavy school year! Firstly, performance wise, this summer I’ll be performing in my local community theater’s production of Mamma Mia!, which I’m currently rehearsing! This has been a fun way to reconnect with friends from my hometown while also getting to be onstage over the summer– it is also very exciting that I have a friend in the show who is coming to my school to join our Musical Theatre program this Fall, which has been fun to bond over! 

While getting to return to rehearsals and performing this summer is very exciting, I also have a good amount of work lined up for me– just as important!!! In July, I’m going to be working as a camp counselor for a children's theatre camp, and I could not be more excited to start working with them during the day while rehearsing Mamma Mia! at night! This is an exciting opportunity, as I’ve never worked up close with kids before, and can’t wait to learn how to work with and help them learn about performing. Unfortunately though, I’m only able to work with them in July, but I also work a steady job for my neighbors online store daily for the rest of the summer! Summer jobs are important, and can get you used to the concept of working everyday positions between auditions in the real world! If you’re having trouble finding a summer job, asking around locally is a great option, as you never know what might be available.

Between the mix of creative work, and job work, it’s important to find time to relax– it’s still summer after all. Some things I’ve been doing for myself lately is picking up playing one of my favorite online games in my freetime, to give myself something fun and relaxing to do! Along with that, I’ve been making plenty of plans with friends to go out, or to the beach, or even just getting together to do work at a coffee shop! Having more time to relax and be around my friends has done wonders for my mental health, and I’ve found myself feeling much more calm and like myself.

It can be daunting to balance tasks over the summer, but mapping things to make time for your creative, work related, and self care needs can be extremely beneficial, and make a map for a great time off from school. How are you spending your summer? How can you keep up with your goals and take the time off you deserve simultaneously? It’s worth giving some thought, and will leave you coming out of the summer ready to thrive in the Fall! Stay warm both physically and vocally, and enjoy the time off– you’ve earned it!