Posts tagged theater

Making Summer Last…

Here’s a few creative tips to make your summer last and enjoy your best moments this year…

Check your expenses and save up for a class.  Keep saving and making budget cuts whenever you can. Why? Fall will be approaching (Don’t think about it now) and when things start to settle down, it will be a perfect time to hunker down and keep your creative horn tooting in some classes. You’ve got something to say, right? Thought so.  Second City is a wonderful start in improv comedy.

Get a personal tune-up. Cars aren’t the only thing that need a spring check. Your body could be screaming for a little TLC or major overhaul. Try a  free workout this summer at Millenium park (if you’re in Chicago) or an improv workout in your city. There’s a plethora of summer fun activties —a lot of them free! And if you’re in Chicago or Toronto stop by the set after a Second City  show and watch our improvisers do it for —- free.  Have some laughs, get a work out in and take care of you. Remember you are investing in you. There is only one you. Aren’t you worth it?

Discover your internet connections.  Not only is Chicago a vast market for great theatre, sketch comedy, and improv, but there are tons of audition resources and connections to people in this work on the internet. Join a Facebook group, blog about a show, join tumblr, network with a  facebook contact and see where it leads you. You may get your next gig from a little social media meddling.

Assess where you are right now and where you’d like to be at the end of the year. Set achieveable goals for yourself with a target date –how about December 2012? Be specific. Whether it’s saving up money to take classes in 2013, new headshots, or moving to the city, it’s important to be clear, specific and do the thing you really want to be doing. Need some guidance? Drop me an email at outreach@secondcity.com. Taking the time now, to think about your greater goal will go a long way. Ideally, you want to be doing a little of this all year long to grow and evolve.  It will make your summer indulgences  —outdoor fun, sand playing, and fun times with friends so much better knowing you are still on track.

Read a good book this summer.  Don’t let this summer pass without picking up a good book or vamp up your periodical reading –maybe it’s research,  escape or something to humor you. Whatever your fancy, do take the time to read. Find out what’s happening in the industry, who’s writing good stories, and dust off the book you bought that you never finished and crack it open.  Turn the TV off, kick your heels up and let your imagination create the best pictures for you. This is some of the best  summer indulgence around….where you are allowed to be in your head, with a gentle summer breeze and hot sun overlooking your next page turner.

Connect with your best allies outside. Time passes way too quickly and summers don’t last forever (especially in Chicago), unless you’re in one of those lucky locales. Create some of your best memories for 2012 with  your family, best buddies and friends –those who support you. I am. By teaming up with my Mama group, we’ve committed to run a half marathon in September. I’ve taken in an outdoor concert at lovely Ravina, and signed up for a secret fun  outdoor adventure - details coming soon - that is making this summer one of the best ever! The point is to grab a buddy and do something different this season that you’ve always want to do - picnic, kayak, run, sail, bike —you get the idea. Think out of the box and explore your city in a new way.

And don’t forget to take pics, write about it, and share it  -this makes some good history in your life.

Here’s to you soaking up the best summer and making your moments count.