How to Survive a Bad Day in Musical Theatre
Let’s be real: not every day is a callback, standing ovation, or glowing review.
Some days, you're scrolling social media in your pajamas wondering if you’ve done anything meaningful lately. I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit. As a musical theatre performer, director, educator, and coach, I’ve learned how important it is to talk about those quiet, uninspired, and messy days too.
So, grab a cup of coffee. Let’s have a candid chat.
🎭 When the Industry Feels Silent
No auditions. No emails. No eco casts. No callbacks.
Just… space. And often, that space fills with doubt, comparison, and guilt.
It’s tempting to think you’re falling behind but in reality, you’re just feeling what it means to be in a nonlinear career. And that’s okay.
🔄 The Moment Everything Shifts
For me, the shift always comes from one question:
“Is staying stuck helping me feel better?”
On a recent bad day, I asked myself this at noon after a long, passive morning of scrolling and second-guessing. The answer was no. So, I got up. I didn’t jump into some big project. I simply:
Brushed my teeth
Made a fresh cup of coffee
Took a hot shower
Stepped outside for some air
Small things. Grounding things. But they started the shift.
✨ My Reset Routine
Over time, I’ve developed a “bad day routine” that helps me re-center, especially when I’m not booked or actively auditioning. Here's what it usually includes:
Reading a few pages of something inspiring
Listening to a podcast or instrumental playlist
Making a tasty meal from scratch or special treat from a family recipe
Doing one thing from my personal or professional goals list
💡 Tip: I keep a list of 3 personal and 3 professional goals handy (written on a sticky note or in my journal). On tough days, I pick just one thing to move forward. That small action creates momentum.
💼 You're an Artist and an Entrepreneur
In college, we had structure like classes, rehearsals, grades, built-in accountability. But after graduation, or between shows, the structure disappears. That’s where many performers struggle.
The truth? Musical theatre is a business. And you are your own small business.
You don’t need a packed calendar to make progress. You need discipline, self-trust, and systems that support your emotional and creative health.
🎯 Need help creating those systems?
Start with my free 50 Ways I Make Money Offstage download—packed with unexpected support job ideas for performers.
💡 Make Today Matter (Even if It’s a Mess)
Once I reset, I usually ask myself:
“What’s one thing I can do today that my future self will thank me for?”
On that recent low day, I chose to update my website.
Not glamorous. Not urgent. But real. Brave. Personal.
Maybe for you, that “one thing” is:
Practicing a 32-bar cut of a new song
Editing a new reel you’ve been putting off
Sending a check-in email or a dm to a past collaborator
Exploring a new casting profile platform you’ve been thinking about lately
Booking a career coaching session
Whatever it is—do it for you.
📣 You’re Not Alone in This
Longevity in this business isn’t about who books first it’s about who keeps going. Who creates a structure. Who finds their rhythm. Who gives themselves grace.
If you’re having a bad day, remember: it doesn’t define you. What you choose to do with it does.
✨ Performer Tools You Might Love:
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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.
Want to keep this conversation going? Every Tuesday, I send my best strategies straight to your inbox — no fluff, just the tools and real talk you need to grow your creative career with clarity, confidence, and joy.
