Acting : Staying Sharp Without Burning Out by Ashley Renee Smith

Hi Ashley, that is such a good and layered question and there’s many answers. For personally I like to go to the movies and watch plays. Honestly, for any actor who takes the craft seriously you should be constantly attending theatre. I know here in the states that can be tricky, depending on where you live. I’m living in L.A .at the moment and the theater scene is not as rich as other places in the world. However, if you could find a really good play to go to, I would definitely work that into my routine.

I take a moment to breath, relax, and grounding with the earth and my inner world always helps :)

Love this question, excited to see everyones answers and tips!

for me, I take my time and reflect on all my works, and watch some movies too, paying attention to their dialogue and actions

I watch a lot of movies and TV shows, I read plays, I watch and listen to actor podcasts like Actors on Actors and rewatch podcasts of my favorite shows , so I can get the all the tidbits from the actors. I also listen to The Town. I find other ways to be creative, like write or social media posts.

Rest while thinking about my projects and coming up with script ideas, Ashley Renee Smith.

Ponce Deleon I completely agree, there’s something about experiencing live theatre that can reignite your creative spark in such a visceral way. It reminds you why you fell in love with storytelling in the first place.

I try to see at least one live show a year if I can. Last year it was the national tour of Wicked, and this year I’m really hoping to catch The Outsiders while it’s in Austin, if we can snag tickets! Do you have a favorite play or recent performance that really inspired you?

That’s such a beautiful and calming approach, Sydney S. I love that you turn inward and reconnect with the earth when things get overwhelming.

Love it, Yusuf Onilude! Reflecting on your own work helps you see how far you’ve come, and watching films with an intentional eye is such a smart way to stay inspired.

Suzanne Bronson I love that you’re pulling inspiration from so many directions, especially actor podcasts and rewatches, which can reveal so much nuance! And finding creative outlets beyond the screen is so important too.

For me Ashley Renee Smith I go on weekend drives to the country side of Connecticut I watch my 3 year old grandson pretending, make believe it brings me joy and ideas for an animated movie. I have a busy life with work as a chef and the grandkids so writing helps me stay sharp and focused.

I bounce between writing, acting, and music and try to apply what I learn from each to the other two.

Ashley Renee Smith great question and I'm getting inspired by the answers. I try and let go in some way and stop thinking about the project. This is what is called the 'fertile void' in Gestalt Therapy. It's so essential so that when we get inspired again we have full energy. Like Ponce Deleon letting go has recently met watching theatre. I'm so excited to have recently subscribed to the National Theatre On Line. This way I get to see amazing plays that I wouldn't normally be able to see due to 1) cost, 2) living in Portugal and not speaking the language and 3) having young kids. I recently watched "Present Laughter' and then "Vanya', both with the actor Andrew Scott who plays 8 different characters in the same piece brilliantly. I also have conversations with creatives. Although ideally 'letting go' would mean checking into a 5-Star hotel in Barbados for 2 weeks, reality is that is not happening at the moment. But somehow just challenging myself to let go for a few days helps

Tania Ocasio That sounds so grounding and inspiring. There’s something magical about watching kids dive into make-believe; it reminds us what storytelling is really about. And I love that writing offers you that space to stay sharp and focused amidst such a full life.

Douglas Esper That’s such a powerful creative cycle! Each discipline sharpens the others in unexpected ways.

Alexandra Stevens This is such a beautifully thoughtful response, thank you for sharing it. I love that you brought up the concept of the ‘fertile void’ from Gestalt Therapy. That idea of intentional pause, of letting go to make space, is something we don’t talk about enough as creatives. I completely agree that the recharge doesn’t always have to be big or expensive, though a 5-star Barbados getaway does sound dreamy.

Ashley Renee Smith Yes, honestly there is so much work that I appreciate and am inspired by. However at the moment though are only few. Of recent there’s August Wilson’s the Piano lesson of which was adapted into a film by the Washington family. The story is about a family heirloom of which becomes the focal point of conflict when deciding its future. The themes of this play/film are about family legacy, generational trauma, African American history and more. This one resonates because highlights the complexity’s of the African American experience when it comes to autonomy over one’s identity. Also another play of which I’m hoping to see at some point but not able because of circumstance is I’m not your superwomen by Emma Dennis Edwards starring Letitia Wright and Golda Rosheuval.

Ashley Renee Smith (sigh out), I sleep, and make sure I am connecting to my body, and yes working out, but just feeling my own life force, and knowing that there is creative power flowing within me, whether I am acting or not. And, doing something else, like dancing, or even writing, to express and keep my imagination and heart/mind connection alive.

I love listening to different kinds of music. Sometimes I watch movies to critique them and apply some of the techniques that I've learned in screenwriting. I unplugged from the computer and all social media. I do a lot of visualization exercises of myself reaching my screenwriting goals. I set new goals and work on new shows.

Ponce Deleon Stories like these are a reminder that staying connected to our craft isn’t just about performance; it’s also about listening, witnessing, and allowing ourselves to be moved. Thank you again for contributing such meaningful works to the conversation.

This is such a beautiful reminder, Juliana Philippi, thank you for sharing it. That connection to your own life force, that quiet creativity that exists even when you’re not “doing”, is such a powerful truth to hold onto. I love the idea of honoring your body, your rhythm, and your imagination outside of performance. Dancing, writing, and simply being are all such valid ways to keep the flame alive.

I love this approach, Mone't Bradley, it’s such a great balance of inspiration, analysis, and forward momentum. Watching films with a critical eye is such a powerful way to sharpen your craft, especially when you’re actively connecting it to your own storytelling. And the visualization exercises? That’s such an underrated tool for staying focused and aligned with your goals.

When you are busy with your career and you get tired, I think it's not your career, it's someone else's career that you are busy with. Otherwise, when a person is busy with his career, he doesn't get tired at all, but his energy to do his work doubles.