[NoHo Arts District, CA] – This month’s Soaring Solo blog gives “5 Tips to Turn Your Solo Show Dreams into Reality.”
“The key to turning dreams into reality is action.” – Jim Rohn
I cannot tell you how often I have sat down with a new solo theatre client and had them tell me that they have been deeply desiring to write a solo show for many years, yet for one reason or another, they have not manifested this goal. In one case, my client had been sitting on her idea for a one-woman Show for nearly two decades!
Believe me, I can relate to this type of procrastination intimately. I let the concept for my second solo show “Ze” percolate in my mind for about nine years before it finally hit the stage. So, whether it’s reflecting upon my own reasons for stalling the process or witnessing the justifications my clients give, I have used these observations to put together a list of tips that will help you not make the same mistakes.
So, what can you do to ensure that your dreams of starring in your own one-person play don’t just stay safely in your head, but instead step into the spotlight?
In this month’s blog, I am going to guide you through five tips to turn your solo show dreams into a reality.
Let’s jump in!
- Schedule Solo Dates
Take out your calendar and start scheduling dedicated time to focus on your solo show. Calendar in time to research festivals and venues, to write excerpts and ideas for your solo show, or attend other solo shows to learn more about the genre and get inspired. It doesn’t matter if it’s 15 minutes or a weekend away, just get dedicated time on your calendar and do not allow anything else to steal it away from you. Your creative time is very important.
Check out the blog that goes over upcoming festivals>>
- Cultivate Creative Community
While listening to your own creative intuition is very important in the journey of your solo show development, it is so important to not try to go it alone. We will need the inspiration of seeing other’s solo shows, the encouragement from other solo artists when you are doubting your story and your talent, and the constructive feedback from your supporters who want your show to be the best it can be. Yes, it is a one-person play, but it takes a village to bring it to fruition.
3) Put a Meaningful Stake in the Ground
Without a specific meaningful goal that you are working toward, your solo show dreams will stay a nebulous entity that never truly takes shape. Once you sign up for a festival, or put a deposit down on a theatre, you will show up for yourself in ways that you never would if there were no stakes involved. So, look ahead and put a stake in the ground that will light a fire under you and help enforce deadlines you must meet.
4) Hire a Coach
Even if you are a great writer and skilled performer, everyone has blindspots and weaknesses. Not to mention the fact that solo theatre is a very unique genre with its own technique and writing and performance style. That said, seek out a coach who understands this genre and invest in coaching with them. These sessions can also serve as your solo dates and as a stake in the ground. When you invest your time and finances into your solo show, you are far less likely to not show up for yourself.
5) Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
Every solo artist I have ever had the pleasure of working with is afraid of something they encounter on the path of solo performance. Some are afraid they will lose friends and offend their family with the truths they tell from stage. Others are scared they will make a fool of themselves and not be able to pull off a successful polished show. Some worry about money, audience turnout, critics and reviews, and the list goes on. Fear is a natural part of the journey. Know that you will feel fear and many other unpleasant feelings. These negative emotions are not going anywhere, but this is not a sign to stop. It is simply a sign that you are creating art and speaking your truth and that is always scary. Just keep in mind that the greatest things in your life and in your art are on the other side of fear.
I hope today’s blog gave you some tangible steps you can take toward the completion of your solo show. Please continue to persist along on your solo journey. It may not be easy, but it is so worth it!
Jessica Lynn Johnson
Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo LLC
SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com
Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to further guide you on your solo journey!
Tune in and support the Soaring Solo Community as we share our stories from stage!
Award winning Director and Developer Jessica Lynn Johnson hosts a slew of powerful solo show script readings and full staged productions addressing various impactful and inspiring topics.
This enticing lineup can be found by CLICKING HERE FOR MORE INFO.
Start writing your own solo show one Freewrite at a time with “FREEWrite Friday”!
Join BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST WINNER Jessica Lynn Johnson for FREEWrite Friday!
Utilizing thought-provoking writing prompts, Jessica will lead you in writing exercises that are sure to assist you in the development of your solo show.
A one-person play is not typically written in one fell swoop. Rather, the Soaring Solo Methodology teaches that the creation of solo art is much like that of creating a Mosaic…one beautiful piece at a time.
All that is required to attend this inspiring event is a willingness to explore, having a pen, paper, or some other means of capturing your thoughts, the ability to access Zoom, and signing up on this page as your official RSVP.
We look forward to having you join the Soaring Solo Community in this event because your story matters!
CLICK HERE TO RSVP and obtain the Zoom link and password.
Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development Class ONLINE!
No matter where you are in the creation of your solo show, idea phase, curiosity phase, full draft written, touring the festival and college market, BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST and founder of Soaring Solo, Jessica Lynn Johnson, will meet you where you are at and take you to the next level! All that is required to attend is a willingness to explore, a pen, and some paper. No previous writing or performance experience necessary, and no need to have written anything to bring to class. Each week Jessica will guide you in exercises to help generate and stage NEW material! So come and meet other creatives in a supportive space for expression and exploration! The class is ongoing and so you may pop in and out as you please as long as you RSVP BY CLICKING HERE for this FREE ONE-PERSON PLAY CLASS.
Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation with Jessica Lynn Johnson to discuss the possibilities for your solo show!
Jessica brings her 15+ years of solo theatre expertise to work privately with solo artists from all over the world on an as-needed basis.
A 1 on 1 Consultation is for you if…
-You are curious about creating a solo show, but you need writing prompts to help you generate material.
– You are tossing around ideas for your solo show, but you need some accountability and encouragement to commit those ideas to the page.
-You have already written some material, but you need expert feedback on editing, story structure and play formatting.
-You have a great first draft, but need guidance on how to utilize multimedia and solo theatre technique in order to make your show a dynamic piece of solo theatre.
-You already premiered your solo show and now you want some tips on how to tour colleges and festivals, and garner accolades and great reviews!
-You have heard great things about Jessica’s work and you’re curious about hiring her as a Director & Developer for your solo show, but first you want to feel her out and see if she is the right fit for you and your project.
Wherever you may find yourself on your solo journey, Jessica will help you overcome whatever immediate obstacle stands between you and your solo success.
Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation
If you resonate with many of the things on this list, then take the next step by emailing SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com for more information.