Student Blog: The Dreaded Timeline

Is it burnout, or are you just overwhelmed? Of course you’re burnt out by school… it’s April. What I mean is, are you experiencing performer burnout, or are you overwhelmed by expectations? As performers, we’re haunted by the dreaded timeline. Who created it? Why do we all believe it? What even is this timeline? I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: this industry is full of stigmas. No two performers are the same, and every opinion is subjective. If we were all the same, it would be like going to the Gershwin and seeing ‘Wicked’ starring the Minions.

If individuality is what we strive for in the audition room and on stage, why do we believe that we have to all follow the same path? The world (theater especially) is not copy and paste. We will all end up having our own unique experiences, at our own unique points of our lives. After graduating college, the next step is to get settled in your career, with a reliable job. A career in theater presents different struggles: there is no such thing as a “reliable” job. Contracts are few and far between and last, if you’re lucky, around 6 months to a year. So, if theater is already differing in the consistent job department, why is there a common misconception that after you graduate, the obvious next step is Broadway. This path is not easy, but that’s what makes it so worth it.  

Comparison is, truly, the thief of joy. We’d all be lying if we said it isn’t hard to see friends or people our age book shows. It’s hard to see others succeed when you feel stuck; it’s okay to be visited by the green eyed monster. The more you envy something, the more you’ll work to make it happen. You’re the only one in charge of your future, not some timeline and not someone else’s success, so go out and make it happen. Persistence and passion can and will serve you just as much as raw talent. Believe me, I know that “no” after “no” is discouraging; let that fuel you. Prove every “no” wrong. That is my key to burnout: let rejection fuel your drive. 

If the “no” was too much and you can’t find your way out of discouragement, it might be time to take a step back. “Take a break, go away for the summer…” anyway, listen to Lin Manuel Miranda. Find time to do things not related to theater. Maybe stop going to so many, or any, auditions, for a while. The root of burnout is a lack of enjoyment and love. Learn to love your craft, again. Once you start aching to perform and to showcase your passions, get back to the audition room. Alter your mindset, see every audition as a chance to perform. 

It may be overused, but I live by it: what is meant for you will not pass you by. No one has the same timeline. Your time will come, when you are prepared for it. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself; you’re doing amazing! Never forget why you started on this path. Take care of yourself and prioritize your mental wellbeing. I believe in you!

Until next time,

Brynna

"And get ready, Baltimore
There's a bright, brand-new day in store
Let me out so this dream's unfurled
I'll eat some breakfast, then change the world"

To post a comment, you must register and login.