5 Ways to Help You Reclaim That Spark of Magic When Your Work Feels Stale
Despite our best efforts, sometimes the magic fizzles. Scenes fall flat, we feel disconnected from our characters and there doesn’t seem to be any life left in the words.
This can happen with audition pieces you’ve worked to death, shows or characters you’ve been running a long time or even new scripts you never really sank into. But don’t worry! It’s a normal part of the process and there are many things you can do to reclaim that spark of magic.
Here are five ways to get you started.
1. Identify the cause
Figuring out why your work feels stale will help you come up with a strategy.
If you’re running a show for a long time, it may simply be that the adrenaline rush has worn off and you are settling in. It could be something external, such as feeling depressed or distracted outside of the work. Regardless, finding out why you’re feeling stale will help you address the root of the problem.
2. Go back to the text
The source material is your best friend. If you’re feeling disconnected, the first thing to do is revisit the text (put eye to page, not just in your memory).
Try to look it over with fresh eyes. There may be something you missed, something that hits differently this time around or ground you with a new perspective.
3. Try a new objective or tactic
Along with revisiting the text, revisit the work you have applied. If a scene is feeling stale, it’s likely your action or objective may not be strong enough.
See if you can get more specific. Try some new tactics to achieve your character’s goals.
You should always be fighting for something in a scene, so if it’s dead in the water, you may either need something more meaningful for which to fight, or stronger and more specific tactics in that fight.
4. Give yourself an ‘as if’
‘As ifs’ are some of the best gifts you can give yourself as an actor. Reframing the scene, giving yourself a new moment before, or finding new personalizations or emotional stimuli can rejuvenate your performance.
5. Get an outside perspective
Sometimes you just need a fresh pair of eyes.
Try reconnecting with your scene partner and involving them in reworking the scene. Bring it up with a coach or director and see if anyone else has insight or ideas. A new note could be all it takes to nudge you in the right direction.
There’s no need to panic or beat yourself up when your work feels stale. Part of being an actor is working and reworking the text as you discover new things.
Instead of feeling like you’re not measuring up, try to see it as an opportunity to find something new in the material. Preserve your sense of play. Sometimes reconnecting to your joy in acting is all it takes.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
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