As I was thinking about this upcoming year, I began to wonder what is one piece of advise I would give to every college student? I landed on the importance of building your support system. College is no easy endeavor. You are naviagting so many new experiences while constantly having to prove yourself.

One of the best parts about working in summer stock is the amount of shows that happen in a summer. At my internship, we produce five shows in 10 weeks. However, this schedule is demanding. The hardest part of each show cycle (and my favorite part) is the 72 hours from closing one show to opening the next. Here's what my schedule looks like!

So now, you auditioned for a show and did not make it in. I think it is important to remember that this is not the 'end all be all.' That doesn't mean that it isn't disappointing. A couple of things to consider is to look at this “rejection” objectively. I have made a checklist to aid in this process. 

At the beach you can find any type of character you want: Locals, people from out of town, teenagers on summer break, the workers at the deli, etc. The best thing you can do when developing a new character for a story is to analyze the behavior of real people.

There's nothing more important than networking yourself in an easy and assesible way for directors, producers, and employers in general... and what better way to do so than with a website! Here are my top three website builders that are perfect for all your networking needs!

One of my favorite parts of summer break is going on vacation. Every year (with the exception of 2020), I’ve been visiting the same destination, and every time I enjoy it just as much, if not more. The destination in question is Wildwood, a charming island in New Jersey. There’s so much to do, making it an enjoyable destination for any age. 

In today’s fast-paced world, many individuals find themselves juggling multiple responsibilities, including academic coursework, theatre commitments, and work obligations. Successfully managing these areas requires a strategic approach that integrates effective time management, prioritization, and self-care.

There are many variations on how to grade one's performance in a class, the one we all learn firsthand is through exams. Later we're introduced to verbal evaluations such as presenting your project to showing a PowerPoint. Public speaking and even performing can be nerve-wracking moments but it's important to remember tips to pass testing season!

I thrive on staying busy, and despite the busy schedule with theatre, work, and school, I manage it all with careful planning, making sure to take time to relax, and having an incredible support system of friends and family.

Networking can be hard, but what if there was a student blog that taught you the best way to network yourself as a preformer... a website!

Being in a BFA acting program, the start of a new school year typically feels like jumping onto an already running train. Therefore, the mental preparation for that jump begins now. Every school year brings a slightly different routine, but here are a couple of tools I have found along the way.

As I was living through my application nightmare, I can remember finding comfort in listening to and reading about other students’ experiences. So, I thought I might share a bit about my own experience along with some tokens of advice that helped me stay motivated - and mostly sane - as I crept my way to the finish line...

The days are flying by and I’m scared the days of my senior year are going to fly by too. But that isn’t a bad thing. That just means I’ve gotta enjoy them while I can and soak up as much sunlight from them as I can.

Broadway performers do 8 shows a week and I always hear actors talking about finding a continuous appreciation for performing a show many times, but I never actually got it. Currently, I am performing in Oklahoma! and am conquering 18 performances over 4 weeks. It has tested my endurance, but I am thankful to have such a different experience.

One of the most frequent questions I was asked as a child was “what do you want to be when you grow up?” I used to have an immediate answer–from teacher to reporter to anyone famous–but as I aged, I dreaded the question. I loved so many things, and I was scared to commit to one career path. Now, I've come to find more peace in this uncertainty.

Traveling to new places with exciting opportunities and experiences has always been a joy of mine. Being able to do it now with JMU through their Semester in Scotland study abroad program with a few of my theatre peers has been nothing but a blast. Here are some things I've learned and seen on my journey so far.

This summer, I spent six weeks in Florence, Italy studying Commedia dell’Arte with NYU Grad Acting Faculty. We studied verbatim theatre, Shakespeare, mask-making, neutral and character mask, and of course, Commedia dell’Arte. The program culminated in a devised and improvised final performance based on Molière’s text featuring popular songs by Billie Eilish, Fleetwood Mac, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

How can you stage manage shows, college courses, a part-time job and so much more? Destiny has some tips and tricks for that.

Once you’re settled into classes, and dorm life, and you have a few friends, that barreling freight train is going to come to a crashing halt. One day, you’re going to look around and ask yourself, “Am I doing enough? Am I busy enough?”.

Life as a theatre student in college is very rewarding but, it's not without its fair share of challenges. From having to still take regular school courses, finding time to practice and audition, and just taking time for yourself, here are some of my own tips on managing a hectic schedule.

What my future is looking like and what that means for my theatre journey. It's exciting, sad, and terrifying.

What I love about this question is that the person asking is wanting to be supportive and excited for you and your passion. What I hate about this question is that it adds another layer of pressure to an already stressful industry.

My name is Olivia Ruhnke and I am a rising junior at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama where I am training to receive my BFA in Acting. I hope I can offer some unofficial yet helpful advice to those looking to begin their college drama school journey and to those (like myself) who are just trying to make it through in one piece...

Hey aspiring actors! Ready to take your acting to the next level? Here are my top 10 tips to help you succeed. From honing your skills and mastering self-taping, to networking and finding flexible jobs, these tips will guide you on your journey. Let's get started!

The search for employment.  Universally hated, universally experienced.  Searching for jobs can be a very draining and exhausting process, especially when it stretches over a long period of time.  After a semester working on three very time-consuming productions, the prospect of a summer job got pushed to the back burner, something that “I would figure out later.”