Student Blog: What To Do When You Lose Your 'Spark'

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When we were children, we could sing for hours and hours without ever stopping or worrying about how we sounded. We didn't worry about tiring out our voices or bodies. It was unbounded joy at every moment. Now that we are adults, that free, childish delight comes in bits and pieces. A lot of times, the magic of being an actor is lost within the stress of trying to be a successful actor. So what can we do to eliminate that mature and dull reality and focus on the vulnerable beauty of what we are pursuing?

Sing Whatever YOU Want: For me, it used to be hard to land on songs I wanted to sing in voice lessons or other classes. I wanted something that fit perfectly in my voice so I didn't have to worry, but I didn't want it to be too overdone. I also didn't want it to be too obscure that no one would have any idea what I was singing. I wanted the song to have beautiful lyrics and an exciting melody. Of course, there's thousands of songs that fit those qualifications. What I wasn't taking into the equation, though, was my heart. Sing what you love. Don't worry about the rest. Once your soul is fueled, and you've worked on those pieces you've always wanted to, then you can go back to that silly equation.

Watch/Listen to Great Shows: I never carve out enough time to stream or rent recordings of my favorite musicals and plays. Sometimes, soundtracks are not enough. When you're feeling like you haven't indulged in the magic of theatre in a long time, WATCH ONE! There is nothing more beautiful than seeing that art on stage whether it be in person or on your laptop.

Have A Karaoke Night With Your Friends: Yes, sometimes it's extremely fun to be the person who hijacks the aux cord and blasts Into the Woods. Pretty quickly, your friends will stop groaning and sing along, too. We musical theatre students are constantly singing in front of our friends, but most times there's a lot of pressure and nerves while the teacher writes notes in the background. To be free and have fun belting "Defying Gravity," for the first time in five years can be all you need to rejuvenate your spirit. Trust me and try it! Hey Siri, play my Broadway Bops playlist.

Now, I could continue this list for hours. Theatre has so many aspects of joy, and sometimes it takes a little work to tap into it. Don't be afraid to lean on your friends, a couple bootlegs, and that overdone song everyone told you is too popular to sing anymore. There is magic in all of us - we are actors! What does Tinker Bell say? Trust and pixie dust... you get it.

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