BWW Blog: Amanda Grillo - Production Withdrawal: Dealing with a Long Gap Between Shows

And just like that, the school year goes by in a blink. If you're anything like me, you always had a show. Whenever one show ended, another show began. This year was a record for the most shows I had done in the course of a year. Now all of my school shows are done and I await the next audition announcement. I know what you're thinking, "Wow, that's great! You finally have a break to just relax and have fun!" Wrong. I went from doing four back to back (and some overlapping) productions fall semester, to doing three productions spring semester (again back to back and overlapping), to nothing. Some people spend so much time balancing a busy schedule that they don't really know what to do with free time. I am one of those people. Not to worry friends, we'll get through this together!

I've always wondered if there was some scientific reason for why we feel this depression come over us once a show or project ends. Believe it or not, there actually is a scientific reason we feel the way we do. I had the pleasure of talking to choreographer and professor, Diana Dart Harris. She is the writer and creator of the blog "The Healthy Dancer" and author of the book Beginning Musical Theatre Dance. In our discussion, we talked about the scientific reason that we feel the way we do.

In theatre, we spend weeks (sometimes months) in rehearsals to build a production from the first audition to the final set piece taken off during strike. During this rigorous process, our body releases high quantities of neurotransmitters, proteins, stress hormones and endorphins. Serotonin and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters that increase heart rate and blood flow; it has even been linked to improved moods. Dopamine is a transmitter that acts to relieve and dull pain. These increased neurotransmitters allow messages to move faster from the brain to the muscles. Adrenaline and Cortisol also play a big part in the increased pace of blood flow and energy conversion in your body. Once a show ends, those neurotransmitters go to the normal functioning speed, except for Cortisol, which returns to normal much more slowly. Imagine it like driving a car at a fast speed and then coming to a screeching halt, when your body still pushes forward. You are left with this lull, feeling like you have all of this energy, but nowhere to exert it. We then psychologically and physically feel as though we are mourning.

So...how can we beat these post production blues? Here are a few ideas you may like to try to ease the energy at a more gradual rate:

Hone in on your craft

Take a class! Whether it be voice, dance, improv, or even clowning use this time off to keep those chops up. Especially if you have quite a long gap between shows, there's no reason you have to let your time off affect your skills on the next show. Keeping a consistent personal rehearsal regimen can keep you up to par so that you don't spend time in your next production dusting off cobwebs. Consistently being open to learning can help bring your performance to the next level.

Add to your rep

You can utilize this opportunity to expand your repertoire. Learn some new material for auditions. Time off is the perfect opportunity to try something new. Spend a day adventuring in bookstores, music stores, and even your local library. Take some time to learn a new song or monologue. Adding a little variety to your standard go to can help you grow as a performer and as a person.

Take up a new hobby

Ever want to expand your special skills on your résumé? Taking some time to pick up a new hobby could be exactly what you need. Whether it be knitting or even learning a new instrument, you'd be surprised what roles can call for nowadays!

All of these things can help ease your body and mind gradually, so you don't go from 100mph to zero.

For more information on Post Performance Letdown, and more information about being a healthy performer check out: thehealthydancer.blogspot.com

http://thehealthydancer.blogspot.com/search?q=post%20performance%20letdown

Coming Soon: Moments of Happiness: What's Your Proudest Moment in Theatre?

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