Essential Tools for Musical Theatre Performers
In the fast-paced world of musical theatre, where every day is a whirlwind of auditions, rehearsals, and side hustles, the right tools can make or break your sanity. As a performer, coach, and creative entrepreneur, I’ve learned that small upgrades in your space, tech, and habits can lead to huge leaps in focus, confidence, and time freedom.
Today, I’m sharing my favorite gadgets and systems that help me — and the performers I coach — stay efficient, healthy, and organized on and off stage.
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through the links at no extra cost to you. I only recommend what I personally use and love.)
🔒 Privacy & Security: Protecting Your Creative Life
As performers, we’re constantly in motion — auditions, rehearsals, flights, side gigs, emails, editing self-tapes on the go. And while that’s exciting, it also means we need to guard our privacy.
My top must-haves:
Phone privacy screen – I started using one after my brother (a lawyer) showed me how easy it was for people to glance at sensitive info on your phone in public. Now I can review contracts or audition sides on the subway without worrying.
Apple AirTag – I track my luggage, car, and even my self-tape gear bag when traveling. It’s a small investment for huge peace of mind.
Both are simple, inexpensive tools that make your daily routine safer and calmer — because protecting your creative energy starts with protecting your space.
💪 Health & Wellness: Your Body Is Your Instrument
Performers live demanding physical lives. The more consistent your wellness tools, the more freedom you have to perform at your best.
My wellness essentials:
Foam roller – Great for recovery and surprisingly useful for propping up your phone or mic when filming self-tapes.
Yoga blocks with strap – Doubles as a support for stretching and as a tripod replacement in a pinch.
Yoga mat – Having a dedicated mat keeps your workouts hygienic and your mind grounded between gigs. I love this brand of mat because it’s durable and high density so I can do weight lifting, cardio and most anything on it for extra knee support.
Fitness app – I personally love Peloton, but any guided workout app helps performers stay in shape when rehearsal schedules fluctuate.
👉 Pro tip: Treat wellness like your rehearsal schedule — non-negotiable and built into your calendar.
Shop my full Health and Wellness list here packed full of my fav items I use constantly.
🎙️ Tech & Digital Presence: Your Modern Performer Toolkit
In 2025, your digital tools are just as important as your audition book. Every performer is also a small business — and your tech setup is your storefront.
My tech must-haves:
Apogee USB microphone – Clean, broadcast-level sound for self-tapes, coaching sessions, and virtual auditions.
iPad Pro – My portable office. Scripts, scores, notes, content planning — all in one sleek device.
Samsung SSD T7 portable drive – Keeps my videos backed up and accessible anywhere, so I never lose self-tape footage again.
Having reliable tech means you spend less time troubleshooting and more time creating — and that’s what gets you noticed.
🗂️ Planning Systems: Streamline Your Performer Business
Efficiency isn’t just about gadgets — it’s about systems.
Tools that changed my workflow:
Google Workspace – Email, calendar, drive — everything in one place. I use it to run my entire coaching and performance business.
Personal Website – Your digital HQ. I recommend Squarespace (I’m a Circle Member + affiliate). It’s where your career lives online: your bio, reel, contact info, and upcoming shows all in one professional hub.
Audition Spreadsheet – Keep track of auditions, casting directors, follow ups with callbacks, and important information so that you can analyze your work progress. (Want mine? Download it free here.)
Your time is your most valuable resource. Investing in systems that save hours each week lets you focus on what actually moves the needle — creating, performing, and earning.
💡 Putting It All Together
Efficiency isn’t about doing more. It’s about creating a flow that supports your artistry.
The right tools help you feel grounded, confident, and ready for whatever your creative season demands.
If you want to upgrade your performing career — onstage and online — I’d love to help you map your next step.
🎟️ Book a 1:1 coaching session
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through the links at no extra cost to you. I only recommend what I personally use and love.)
Ashlee Espinosa, MFA is a professional actress and career coach helping performers and artist-entrepreneurs build bold, burnout-free creative careers onstage and off. With two decades of experience and a unique bi-coastal perspective, Ashlee blends mindset, marketing, and business strategy to help multi-hyphenate artists grow their visibility and income without sacrificing their well-being. Through 1:1 coaching, free weekly resources, and digital tools, she helps creatives design careers that feel as good as they look — and pay them well too.
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