Student Blog: Balancing an Actor's Schedule

There is no doubt that managing your time as a performer is challenging. As somebody who works several part-time jobs, is a student, a writer, and is auditioning as an actor, believe me, I understand. Navigating and balancing a demanding schedule is a skill in and of itself, and every day I’m still learning what works best for me. 

As I’m writing this, I just got back from a contract where I was away from school for a month. I feel the pressure of getting caught up in all of my classes while tackling the current curriculum. I start rehearsals for an industry reading of a new work musical this week. There are so many auditions I want to go to this month, and I also want to push myself to keep submitting self-tapes. I am eternally grateful to have these wonderful opportunities, but I won’t lie- being pulled in so many directions can be exhausting.

The bad news is- there is no magical secret to finally having a perfect work/life balance. I know in my experience, I always feel like there aren’t enough hours in a day. I worry that I’m not being productive enough, or maybe I am being productive in one facet of my life, but I feel I need to spend my attention elsewhere. It is a never-ending battle to feel a sense of steadiness when the life of an actor is so hectic. This is why when I feel overwhelmed, I rely on methods that will minimize that feeling.

Staying organized is vital in feeling like you have control over all of the moving parts of your life. I know if I don’t have my tasks organized, I feel scattered and helpless. You can do this however is easiest for you. I know several people in my life who have one huge, all-encompassing calendar, but I have different organizers in order to compartmentalize parts of my life. For example, I have an audition calendar to keep track of all open calls, appointments, and self-tapes, but I use a physical planner to note my work schedule and important dates in my personal life. When I need to get things done for school, I use my notes app to make a to-do list during the week. By organizing this way, I can focus on certain tasks in my life without looking at everything all at once. For instance, when I know I need to focus more on the auditions I have coming up, I know exactly where to look without getting overwhelmed by other responsibilities that have nothing to do with auditioning. This is just the system that works for me, but I encourage you to experiment with methods of organization to see what is helpful for you.

It’s crucial to stay organized and productive when you have a multitude of responsibilities, but it is of equal importance to give yourself time to rest. Recharging when necessary is a tool in and of itself when it comes to balancing your life. I know as my schedule gets busier, I also need to take some time to just enjoy the world. It’s autumn in New York City, my favorite time of year, and it’s vital to stay in the moment and spend time with friends and family, regardless of how hectic life becomes. Relying on the scraps of time you have to relax is, in my opinion, the best way to ensure you get everything done. When I know I have time for myself, I feel calm, and when it’s time to get back to work, I return level-headed and motivated. I find that resetting like this can help ease the stress that comes with a full calendar.

As I’m navigating this time in my life as a student and an actor, it can be demanding, but it is also exhilarating. I have always loved keeping myself busy, especially when it comes to performing. So no matter how tired I get, I always try to return to a place of gratitude. I am so fortunate to be in New York, busy with training, rehearsal, auditions, and just doing what I love every single day because I know that this is what I’ve been working for since I was a little girl. Remembering the work it took to get to this place in my life is a huge motivation for me to keep working through the busy days, because I know that if ten-year-old me could see what I’m doing now, she would be so proud. It’s true, that being an actor comes with a hectic schedule, but I’m glad to take on the challenge for an art form that I absolutely love.

Photo Credit: Beau Austin