BWW Blog: Christopher Panella - An Ode to Summer: Don't Stop, Keep Moving 

Your craft is only good with continuity over time. - Me. just now. But seriously, continuity is important, especially when it comes to theatre and the arts. As actors, we grow with every performance, every note, line, and count a step building stairs that only go up. In theatre news, there is never an actor who talks about not pushing themselves for years to be their best before getting their big break. Big breaks come with practice and dedication, not sheer luck and ability. For high school students, theatre can seem like a school year activity, summers spent relaxing. I mean, I get it: high school is the high note and the summer is the needed catch breath. Yet, this industry and profession finds itself with more of a willing supply than demand. For this reason actors need to, more than ever, develop their craft to be the best it can be any chance they get, especially high school actors.

I started spending summers working on monologues and solos after my 8th grade, and have since then made it a constant summer activity. Now, as a junior going into my senior year, I'll be spending the summer attending bi-weekly voice lessons and acting workshops to prepare me for the college audition process to come. Summer has been the most prosperous time for me as an artist; no school, no obligations, a lot of free time. The summers after my freshman and sophomore year, I participated in The Performance Project's summer productions, enjoying roles like Marius in Les Miserables. The Performance Project, which celebrates its 20th year this weekend, gives theatre kids a summer home to sing, dance, and act as they please, all the while learning new techniques that can always be useful in a toolbox for the following school year. Summer theatre programs like the Performance Project are found nationwide and internationally, and are perfect for high school theatre addicts who can't quit cold turkey at the end of the school year. Other summer theatre opportunities include master classes, improv classes, dance, and voice lessons. Of course, many of these programs aren't affordable in terms of cost or commitment. Thus, I present the clearest and best option for high school actors and singers and their summers: make your own workshops! Workshop yourself, whether it be by working on a monologue, a solo, writing a play, reading a play, or writing music. As long as a portion of each day is devoted to the arts, not only will your craft develop, but you as a person will develop.

Now, don't stretch yourself to the point where your social life is nonexistent and your summer is one, long workshop. Find a balance. Everything in moderation. - Ghandi (I actually have no clue who said this, but I assume/hope Ghandi because I feel like Ghandi would say this). High school actors find themselves improving greatly throughout the school year before taking a few steps back by not singing or acting or dancing at all during the summer. This is how performers become stagnant in their craft; we improve and then we take breaks and are back where we started. So don't stay put! Keep moving, keep working. Work ethic is truly the number one quality for any career, especially theatre. I have always prided myself on my work ethic and have always believed that dedication and hard work are more important that natural talent. So spend this summer growing, working, learning. Of course, don't forget to breathe every once in awhile. After all, every singer needs to take a breath before nailing that belt.

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