Coping With Post-Show Depression: An Inevitable Process

After they’ve taken their final bows, and the curtain has set for the last time, most actors begin the process coined as “Post-Show Depression.” Since many actors’ lives revolve around having a rehearsal and performance schedule to keep their minds occupied, taking away either of the two can completely throw their entire existence into question. This is specifically the period after a show closes when an actor has no idea how to occupy their time, at least until they begin rehearsals for their next show. This period of time is also when actors experience “social withdrawal,” when they will no longer be seeing their fellow cast members on a daily basis. Most actors, like myself, will just crawl into their room and binge-watch their favorite shows on Netflix until they can figure out another way to occupy their time. For those unfamiliar to this process, here are a few things that one can observe while an actor is experiencing “Post-Show Depression:”

  • Excessive sleeping
  • Binge-Watching Netflix
  • Sitting in the dark for long periods of time
  • Utter confusion about how to function in society
  • Intense caffeine consumption
  • Random bursts of sadness or anger

Now, those experiencing “Post-Show Depression” aren’t a lost cause. In fact, I prefer to address it as “Post-Show Boredom,” as one is simply looking for something else to do. Most actors like to keep busy, and don’t like having a ton of free time on their hands when they have nothing to fill it with. Usually, after a show closes, an actor will catch up on schoolwork, or get a job to fill their time. While the “depression period” only lasts about a week, the “waiting period” for the next show to start up may take several months. Most are back on their feet in no time, searching for their next performance opportunity, or will simply find another way to spend their newfound free time. If these activities aren’t entirely appealing, here are some other ways that an actor could spend their time as they work through the “Post-Show Boredom” scenario:

  • Prepare for the next audition
  • Mentally cast shows using your fellow actors
  • Go for a walk
  • Discover a new favorite Broadway show
  • Get a fish
  • Clean your entire house
  • Do a coloring book

Post-show will also reveal interesting characteristics about some actors. For example, many actors will frequent the area where they last performed, just hanging around the area so they can pretend they’re still performing there. They know they’ll be back on stage shortly, but that time can’t come soon enough. Until then, they just…linger.

You can tell what show an actor did most recently based on their communication mannerisms. They may work a line from the show into a normal conversation, and chuckle to themselves because they’re pretty proud that they managed to do that. They may sing songs from a recent musical performance while walking around or working. (My coworkers have recently gotten a taste of the Hot Mikado soundtrack.)

Lastly, actors do their research, and are always ready to provide an in-depth analysis of the role or show that they’re striving for next. Ask them a question about their dream role and they can tell you who has played that role, where the show played, how long it played, how many awards it won, how many cans of Diet Coke the tech crew went through during each performance, etc.

While all of these symptoms aren’t common for actors during their journeys through “Post-Show Depression,” they’re bound to experience at least one. If not, an actor, like myself, may just choose to express their feelings in a different way, by watching a lot of Netflix and writing a detailed analysis about how everyone else reacts after taking their final bows.

Justin Hatch

About Justin Hatch

Justin Hatch, a senior at Hampden Academy, has been appearing on stages in the greater Bangor area for nearly seven years. When he’s not on stage, he can be found practicing his second passion, the English language, in several advanced and A.P. courses offered at H.A.