If the slow season is hitting you hard, or if you’re just waiting it out between jobs, it’s important to stay on top of your game. Here are a few activities to keep you sharp while you wait for that next big role.

1.Attend Classes
Keep yourself at the top of your game by continuing to attend acting classes. You never know when your next big audition will happen. Maybe even take some time to branch out and try something new like improv, movement, or cold read classes. Who knows what you’ll find out about yourself—maybe you have a new hidden talent to discover! If money is tight, call up your friends and start your own group to help each other. This gives you the opportunity to catch up and provides a comfortable environment to experiment in.

2. Try Open Mics
One way for actors to get out those creative juices between jobs is to start attending open mic events. Display some of your other talents, or hone your craft further, by performing during open mics. This can help you feel more comfortable and you get the extra practice that you might not have done just sitting at home. Events like stand up also give you the opportunity to write your own material and get immediate reactions. Great for both the actor and writer side of you!

3. Know Your Basics
In your downtime, consider watching those classics you haven’t seen yet. Continue (or start) building up your knowledge of directors, actors, producers, and writers. Complex complied a list of the top 100 movies to see before you die (though just a quick google search and you can find many more, perhaps even relating to your specific style). Now is the perfect time to really develop a wealth of knowledge based on the classics that are still shaping today’s films.

4. Build Your Online Presence
Don’t completely dismiss the idea of putting your work online. Some casting directors come across an actor and try to see more of them by searching online, only to come up empty handed! Take some time to make sure you both have some online profiles and you’re using those sites to your advantage. Sherman Hu, a marketing specialist, reminds actors to stay focused on social media. Have accounts that relate directly to your brand or line of work and consider keeping another profile for more personal posts. You can read more of his tips here

All of these are great ways to keep yourself sharp while your waiting for your next job, but don’t forget to take those well-deserved breaks too! Sometimes a little self-care is all you need to bounce back and be ready for whatever is next.

What tips do you have to staying on your A-game between roles?