They tell you about the confidence they’ll earn from being on stage. They tell you how theatre teaches critical thinking and problem solving skills. They tell you how it cultivates peer acceptance and mutual respect. They tell you it will be rewarding and fun. But Nobody tells you about the blues.
I don't remember noticing it after the first few shows she did, but it did not take long for the signs to show up. It was this unexplainable sadness. This temperament was so out of character for my daughter, Amellia.
The urban dictionary defines this feeling as “post-show depression.” You know, like postpartum, but it's the separation of the actor, their cast mates and the theatrical baby they just birthed into life. After putting weeks, sometimes months, into making a show perfect, it is all over. It is a feeling of emptiness and sadness.
The theatre experience is more than just singing, dancing, and acting together. It is the building of a family, a bond beyond compare. Because of this, it’s only natural that once you are thrust back into your ordinary daily life, you’re going to feel a bit blue.
It usually begins during the finale week and continues on for weeks after the show is over. The actors get pangs of emotion when something reminds them of the show (for example, like listening to the show soundtrack on repeat) or when they are sitting at home at night realizing they don't have to rush out for rehearsal or a performance.
This depression is generally shared by most of the cast, especially if the cast was very close and included roles of a family (siblings, etc). There tends to be lots of hugging and crying, from the last show through the cast party and into the weeks following.
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The good news is that you are not alone. It’s not just your kid, and it's normal for them to feel this way. There are things you can do to help your young actor through it. Here are a few that worked for us.
Focus on the positive - It’s hard to believe, but these feelings are signs of a positive experience. It means the show was a success, and it means that they loved being in the show. Remind them to be glad it happened, instead of sad it's over.
Don’t Panic - The feeling of the show being over and they will never have such a wonderful experience ever again can be overwhelming; however, this is not the case. Remind them that they were talented enough to land this role, and they will be part of another great cast.
Keep in Touch - These days, the cast and crew often are part of group chat. When your actor is feeling nostalgic, encourage them to drop a message to a cast member. If they are really missing them, arrange a reunion.
Rejuvenate - Between final rehearsals and performances, your actor is surely exhausted. Allow for a sleep-in day. Encourage them to pamper themselves with a facial or even get a massage / mani-pedi.
Move on - Some say moving on too quickly to a new show is not the answer, but if you have given them time to mourn and time to rejuvenate, the best thing to do is to move on to the next project. It’s time to stop listening to the soundtrack of the last show, and time to start researching and listening to some shows that you’ve yet to listen to! For us, delving into a new project was often the only way to truly move past the blues.
Has your actor experienced post show depression? What did you do to help them move past it? We would love to hear your experiences. Leave a comment below and let us know what techniques you used!
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