Becoming a Powerhouse Performer
I remember the days when I was a young, aspiring musical theater performer, dreaming of making it big on the stage. The endless hours of vocal training, dance classes, and script memorization seemed daunting, but I knew that I had to push my body to its limits if I wanted to bring my characters to life with the energy and conviction they deserved.
As I navigated the competitive world of musical theater, I quickly learned that being a strong singer and actor was only half the battle. The true test of a performer’s mettle lies in their physical stamina and ability to embody their roles with unwavering commitment. Just like the elite athletes I admired, I had to treat my body as a finely-tuned machine – one that required proper fueling, targeted training, and meticulous recovery.
That’s why I’ve come to refer to myself as an “audition athlete.” Because make no mistake, the rigors of musical theater training and performance are every bit as demanding as those faced by the world’s top sportspeople. And if you want to rise to the top of your field, you need to approach your craft with the same level of physical and mental preparation.
Fueling the Performer’s Machine
One of the first lessons I learned on my journey to becoming a professional musical theater performer was the importance of proper nutrition. Just like a world-class athlete, I needed to nourish my body with the right balance of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) to support my intense training schedule and maintain peak performance.
As Genienne Samuels, a Pilates expert, explains, “Dancers are artists but they’re also athletes. You have to eat nutritiously and fuel your body so that it can handle all of that exercise.” This meant saying goodbye to the convenient but unhealthy snacks I’d grown accustomed to as a busy student, and instead focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods that would provide sustained energy and support muscle recovery.
Of course, developing a performer-friendly diet isn’t just about what you eat, but also when you eat it. I found that having a consistent meal plan, with small, frequent snacks throughout the day, helped me maintain steady blood sugar levels and avoid the dreaded “afternoon slump” that can derail an intense rehearsal or audition. And don’t forget to stay hydrated! Proper hydration is crucial for both physical and cognitive performance.
Building a Bulletproof Body
Now that I had the nutrition side of things figured out, it was time to turn my attention to the physical training required to become a true “audition athlete.” And let me tell you, it was no easy feat.
As former ballerina Delaney shared, professional dancers need to dedicate several hours a day, five to six days a week, to their training. This includes not only intensive ballet classes, but also supplementary work in other genres like contemporary dance to develop the kind of full-body strength and flexibility that modern musical theater demands.
But it doesn’t stop there. Performers also need to incorporate targeted strength training, cardio, and mobility work to build the kind of resilient, injury-resistant physique that can withstand the rigors of a grueling rehearsal and performance schedule. This might include exercises like:
- Compound lifts (squats, deadlifts, etc.) to develop overall strength
- Plyometrics and HIIT workouts to build explosive power and endurance
- Yoga and Pilates to improve flexibility, balance, and core stability
The key is to approach your physical training with the same level of intentionality and attention to detail that you would bring to your vocal or acting work. Constantly assess your weaknesses, experiment with new techniques, and be willing to push yourself outside your comfort zone.
Mastering the Mental Game
Of course, being a successful “audition athlete” isn’t just about the physical – it’s also about the mental and emotional resilience required to thrive in such a demanding field. As fitness expert Ridge Davis shared, “At times you may be told that you are too much this or not enough that or be judged on something you can’t control like your height or your body structure. You need to develop persistence and believe in yourself so that you’re not derailed by critique or rejection.”
One of the key mental skills I’ve had to cultivate is the ability to maintain laser-sharp focus, even in the face of distractions and high-pressure situations. This means establishing powerful daily habits and routines – like a consistent sleep schedule, a morning meditation practice, and strategic time blocking – that help me stay centered and grounded, no matter what challenges come my way.
Equally important is the development of a “growth mindset” – the understanding that improvement is an ongoing process, and that setbacks and failures are simply opportunities for learning and growth. As dance expert Delaney pointed out, “You want to have high standards for yourself but also acknowledge the hard work you put into your dancing and understand that improvement is a process.”
By cultivating this kind of mindset, I’m able to approach each audition, rehearsal, and performance with a sense of positive expectation, rather than crippling fear or anxiety. And when the inevitable challenges arise, I know how to tap into my inner reserves of resilience and determination to push through.
Bringing It All Together
At the end of the day, being a successful “audition athlete” isn’t just about having a killer set of pipes or a flawless pirouette. It’s about approaching the entirety of your performance craft with the same level of rigor, discipline, and dedication that the world’s top athletes bring to their respective sports.
It’s about fueling your body with the right nutrients to power through grueling rehearsals and nail those high notes. It’s about building a physique that’s as resilient as it is aesthetically pleasing, able to withstand the demands of a show-stopping routine. And it’s about developing the mental toughness to stay focused, positive, and motivated, even in the face of rejection and criticism.
If you’re ready to take your musical theater dreams to the next level, then it’s time to start thinking of yourself as an “audition athlete” – a powerhouse performer who’s willing to put in the hard work required to truly shine on the stage. And with the right mindset, the right training, and the right support system, I know that you have what it takes to make it happen.
So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get in the game and start training like a true champion. The Musical Theater Center is here to support you every step of the way. Let’s do this!
