For many of us in theatre, summer is an off-season. Classes have ended and there is a noticeable shift in the air. A break is often welcome, especially when it comes with longer days, warmer weather, and opportunities to spend time outdoors. Rest is an important part of a balanced life. Yet many artists know the feeling of wanting to recharge without losing touch with their creativity.
I have come to think of summer not as a pause, but as a period of active rest and reflection. While we may step away from rehearsals and performances, we do not have to step away from the habits that make us artists.
One of the core pillars of acting is observation. Actors are constantly gathering information about the world around them, not only with their eyes, but with all five senses. We notice how people move through a room, the rhythm of a conversation, the smell of rain on hot pavement, or the way sunlight changes a familiar landscape. These observations become the raw materials for storytelling.
Nature offers a perfect environment for this kind of practice. A walk through a forest trail, an afternoon by the river, or even sitting quietly in a backyard can become an exercise in artistic awareness. What sounds do you hear when you stop talking? What textures, colors, and patterns emerge when you slow down enough to notice them? What emotions surface when you allow yourself to simply be present?
Theatre often asks us to use our imagination to create believable worlds, but first we must learn to observe the one we already inhabit. Summer gives us an opportunity to do just that. By paying attention to the people, places, and experiences around us, we continue developing as artists even when we are far from the stage.
Imagination is often thought of as something that happens inside us. In reality, it is fed by the people we meet, the stories we encounter, and the experiences we allow ourselves to have. If we want to strengthen our creativity, we must first strengthen our connection to the world around us.
Scroll down past “Open Scene of the Month” to find the summer creativity challenge and journal prompts.
Video Spotlight
Use your 5 senses to go on a sensory journey!
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*screenshot this and send to your favorite scene partner*
A: Hi!
B: Hello.
A: How’s everything?
B: Fine, I guess.
A: Do you know what time it is?
B: No. Not exactly.
A: Don’t you have a watch?
B: Not on me
A: Well?
B: Well, what?
A: What did you do last night?
B: What do you mean?
A: What did you do last night?
B: Nothing
A: Nothing?
B: I said, nothing!
A: I’m sorry I asked
B: That’s all right.
At CoCreated we love a good open scene! An open scene gives us the opportunity to fill in the who, what, when, where, and why of the story. It can come to life in so many different ways depending on the actors involved.
We recommend finding a scene partner (or two, with person C having the extra challenge of being in the scene with no lines!) and reading the script aloud together. Then determine the given circumstances and try reading it again. See what happens after a few run-throughs, adding in some blocking and pantomime. Have fun and don't forget the power of a dramatic pause!
Summer Creativity Challenge & Journal Prompts
This summer, challenge yourself to connect with your imagination by first connecting with the world around you. You can attend a local production and strike up a conversation with a stranger sitting next to you. Find a place to listen to live music or watch a beautiful sunset. Take note and fill a journal with these observations. The stage will be waiting when you return, but the stories that will fuel your next season are happening all around you right now.
Spend 10 minutes each day observing with all five senses. Then reflect on one of these prompts:
What surprised me today?
What is something beautiful I noticed that I would normally overlook?
Describe a person I encountered without making judgments.
What conversation or phrase stuck with me and why?
What emotion did I witness in someone else today?
What did I learn by simply paying attention?
If you would like to share your observations with our community, email or DM us! You can find us on social media @c.o.created or email hello@cocreated.live
Lyrics We Love
from “Something to Hold On To” - Between the Lines
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