‘Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more
William Shakespeare
JOSHUA
After months of rehearsals and anticipation, I finally stepped onto the stage for the opening night. The rush of adrenaline, the electric energy of the audience's reactions—it was a show I'll never forget. But as the run came to an end, the final bow was taken and the cast dispersed, a sense of melancholy settled over me like a heavy fog.
In the days that followed, I found myself grappling with a profound sense of loss. The camaraderie of the cast, the thrill of embodying the character, the sense of purpose that came with each performance—all of it felt suddenly distant and out of reach. I mourned the end of the show, longing for the rush of emotion that had consumed me on stage.
But amidst the darkness of the post-show blues, I found glimmers of light that helped me in the memories of the journey we had shared as a cast—the inside jokes, the late-night rehearsals, the moments of pure magic that unfolded on stage. I allowed myself to feel the full spectrum of emotions, acknowledging the sadness while also embracing the gratitude for the experience. Slowly but surely, the heaviness began to lift, replaced by a sense of acceptance and appreciation for the ebb and flow of the actor's journey.
As you embark on your own acting adventures, remember that the post-show blues are a natural part of the process. Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions arise, knowing that they are a testament to the depth of your passion for your craft. Lean on your fellow actors for support, and never underestimate the power of reflection and gratitude in finding your way back to the light.
The curtain may fall, but the story of your journey as an actor is far from over. Embrace the highs and lows alike, knowing that each one brings you one step closer to becoming the artist you were meant to be.
Josh
Post-Show Blues
You’ve finally finished.
You can rest.
Learning to transition from the heightened emotions that performance brings - the adrenalin rush from the show, saying goodbye to the highs and lows of intense working relationships, and heading straight into worrying about finding the next job - can be hard.
Recognising this and managing this transition period is as important a skill to craft as being on stage or on set.
Things to consider:
Read regulation ideas in the Nervous System section to help manage this transition space. Especially, after a show when you will have been in an emotionally and physically heightened state. Understand what you might need for the next few weeks.
Know yourself. If you are someone who finds this transition hard and might feel down afterwards, pre-empt this beforehand and ask friends and family to reach out to you, or organise one or two simple things you enjoy doing. If you are someone who launches straight into the next thing, maybe arrange a day relaxing with friends or spending a day watching your favourite films.
Implement self-care practices.
Allow yourself space to rest - you are allowed time off.
Journal and reflect on your experience.
Allow yourself time to be proud of the work you did.
Acting is filled with uncertainty and unknowns; it often involves spending a lot of time working two or three side hustles and it’s hard to take time-off from self-taping, auditioning, applying for work, doing workshops etc. It’s also impossible for anyone not in the industry to fully understand the highs, lows, and nuances of the job. All this means that the periods outside of acting work can bring up a lot of mixed feelings, emotions, and stress.
Find people who understand. Maybe a local group of actors or creatives who can offer support to each other. If you don’t have access to a group like this, can you start one?
Family and friends may not get it but try to be honest and communicate as best as you can about the nature of the job, or they will make their own assumptions.
Find out who you are outside of acting. Let your job be an important facet of who you are, but not the only one.
Know how to be out of work. Recognise that the role of an actor extends beyond the actual performances. A significant portion of your work involves periods of working in-between jobs, auditions and, hopefully, rehearsal time. Understand that these aspects are all part of your professional journey, and need as much work and support, as the moments spent on stage or in front of the camera.