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October 2023: 31 Activities for Every Day This Month


October 3, 2023

ACT-ober! Welcome back to your actor activities roundup, where we recommend everything from empowering actor exercises to the best entertainment events for each day of the month. As we fall into autumn, October is a terrific time to light your jack-o’lantern with spine-tingling inspiration. Carve out some time to engage your dreams and advance your career with these 31 carefully curated activities for actors:

Advice & Inspiration:

1. Don’t let stage directions trip your audition up! Try these five tips for navigating evocative stage direction in theatrical auditions from Casting Director Erica S. Beam.
2. Need a creative kick in the pumpkin these days? Check out comedian Kristina Wong’s recent advice for creating during difficult times.
3. Sweeney Todd and Hamilton star Daniel Yearwood drops countless gems of wisdom on The Art of Kindness podcast.
4. Watch legendary film director Martin Scorsese break down his most iconic films.
5. Artios Award-nominated Casting Director Erica Hart gives actors the keys to unlocking a great self-tape in conversation with SAG-AFTRA.
6. While you may throw an annual celebration for Kelly Ripa’s birthday in October, it’s a great time to listen to her new podcast Let’s Talk Off Camera, featuring candid conversations with artists like Carol Burnett, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Salma Hayek and more.
7. This month’s social media spotlight goes to theater creator Katharine Quinn. Follow along for Broadway adventures, gear-turning creative conversations and more.

What to Watch/Read:

8. While actors aren’t promoting new projects during the strike, Halloween is the perfect time to take a look at horror films of the past that boast terrifyingly terrific acting. The first performance that comes to mind is Kathy Bates’ Oscar-winning turn in Stephen King’s Misery.
9. Hello, Clarice. Anthony Hopkins turned a simple greeting into a phenomenon with his spine-tingling portrayal of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs. Also starring a brave Jodie Foster, Silence is the only horror film to win a Best Picture Oscar.
10. Speaking of iconic horror quips, “Here’s Johnny!” may take the creepy cake. The Shining sees Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall snowed in and sinister.
11. Lupita Nyong’o pulls double duty in Jordan Peele’s Us delivering the petrifying performance of a lifetime.
12. Carrie remains one of the most iconic scary movies to date, in large part due to Sissy Spacek’s bloody good performance.
13. Many viewers daring enough to watch Heredity believe that Toni Collette should have won an Oscar for her artistry.
14. Jordan Peele’s Get Out totally changed the horror game in 2017. Grounded performances and a twisted narrative, make this one to study.
15. In the podcast realm, may we recommend Strange and Unexplained from Tony Award-winning actor and celebrated writer Daisy Eagan. This weirdly wonderful series will take you on a fascinating journey into the unknown.
16. On a non-spooky note, get inspired by the poignant documentary Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, on Hulu on October 17th.
17. If you haven’t already, revel in Kerry Washington’s truth by reading her raw new memoir Thicker than Water.

Wellness Activities:

18. Monthly wellness tip: As the days grow shorter in autumn, it’s a good time to ensure you’re getting enough vitamin D.
19. October affirmation: Like falling leaves, I accept change and will go where the wind takes me.
20. Go for a walk down the street and observe the people around you.
21. Bring the tranquility of fall into your space by lighting a cozy Keystone candle. Stop what you’re doing and just watch the candle’s flame flicker for a while.
22. With the industry at a standstill, use the downtime to take stock of all the wonderful things you’ve accomplished as an actor. Make an “Actor’s Gratitude List” and write out all the artistic experiences that have given you joy.
23. October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Learn how you can prevent bullying and promote kindness at kindness.org.
24. October is also National Book Month, so consider this your reminder to read. Reading before bed can reduce stress and drop your body into a more relaxed state.

Live/ Virtual Events:

25. Sink your teeth into Off-Broadway’s bloody good time – Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors. A hysterical cast of five players tackle multiple roles each in this podcast-turned-play that infuses new blood into the vampire universe.
26. Sondheim’s newest revival Merrily We Roll Along rolls out the red carpet on Broadway this month. Marvel at Danielle Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez as they lead a powerhouse ensemble in this heartfelt production.
27. Broadway gets the Barry Manilow treatment in his highly-anticipated new musical Harmony. The true story centers on the Comedian Harmonists, an ensemble of six young men who took 1920s Germany by storm until their inclusion of Jewish singers put them on a collision course with history.
28. Sistahs! Broadway’s spookiest night returns with the I Put A Spell On You: The Witches Era extravaganza on Monday, October 23 in NYC. This spell-binding fundraiser features ghoulishly good performances from Broadway stars and more.
29. World-class event AFI Fest hits Los Angeles on October 25 to showcase a robust slate of innovative films.
30. Take yourself on a date to a museum this month. Actors love the Museum of Broadway in NYC and the Academy Museum in L.A., but anything arts-related is sure to inspire you.
31. Happy Halloween, friends! We know that you play dress up for work, so no pressure to don a costume. Enjoy lots of treats!

There are plenty of strike-compliant roles available on Casting Networks. Sign up or login and see what’s casting near you today!

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Robert Peterpaul is a writer, podcaster and performer, who can be seen in films like IFC's “King Cobra,” T-Mobile ad campaigns, and TV shows like CBS' “BULL.” He currently hosts the hit podcast The Art of Kindness with the Broadway Podcast Network. Other writing and hosting highlights include: NBC’s “Access Hollywood” and “America’s Got Talent,” “BUILD Series,” the Huffington Post and serving as the Weekend Editor for HOLA!/ HELLO! USA for six years. He also co-founded his family’s nonprofit the Thomas Peterpaul Foundation, which aims to end pediatric cancer. Robert has studied at the Barrow Group, Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, UCB and earned a B.A. from Marist College. Thank you for reading and keep following your bliss! www.robertpeterpaul.com

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