Student Blog: Back to School

Hello Broadway World readers!

June is here, and with it comes the anticipation of a new school year. Whether you’re gearing up for classes or enjoying a summer break, there’s always something exciting on the horizon. Personally, I’m feeling a mix of excitement and determination as I prepare for the upcoming semester.

For those who don’t know me, I’m Veronica Flynn, a Theatre Arts major at American River College (ARC). Although I am on summer break, this summer has been a whirlwind of activity for me. I’m currently the stage manager for the production of Heathers: The Musical at my local theatre company. It’s been an incredible experience managing such a dynamic show. But that’s not all – I’m also one of the leads in another play called Horse Girls, with rehearsals kicking off in July.

Another exciting opportunity happening in July is my upcoming voice-over workshop and BOY am I looking forward to that! Voice-over work can open up new opportunities in commercials, animations, etc. It helps improve your vocal range and control, which will be really good for my musical theatre auditions, and above all.. it seems really fun. I encourage every actor to try voice acting. Just do it... try it.

Beyond the stage, I’m deeply involved in the TV and film industry. I spend a lot of time self-taping, attending film festivals, and networking to brand myself – because as any actor knows, personal branding is crucial. For me personally, being deeply involved in both theatre and film keeps me constantly inspired and motivated. Each new project is like a new chance to grow and connect with amazing people. Aside from that, I’m also prepping for three major theatre auditions: "Martha" in The Secret Garden, "Esmeralda" in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and "Anastasia" in ... well Anastasia. It’s a lot to juggle, but I thrive on the challenge. 

One of my favorite activities is volunteering for Broadway Sacramento. Not only do I get complimentary tickets to see Broadway shows, but it also provides incredible study opportunities and networking experiences. 

On top of all this, I’m balancing a part-time job as an after-school tutor for kids because while the actor’s life can be glamorous, it’s also notoriously unpredictable when it comes to finances, especially when you’re just starting out. So, having a steady job helps keep things stable.

With all of these amazing plans for this summer, sometimes I find it REALLY difficult to find time and energy to do anything lol and an important thing I really try to manage is my time management. A few strategies I use to stay on top of everything are listing out everything I need to do and ranking them by importance, keeping track of all of my rehearsals, classes, and work shifts in a planner or digital calendar, and setting aside "Me Time". It’s crucial to recharge, so make sure to schedule time for yourself to relax and unwind... right?

How about you? How are you feeling about the new semester? (if you are in school) How do manage a heavy schedule? Do you have any exciting summer plans or projects?

Veronica Flynn :))