The In Between Times

Episode #365

Air Date:

Title: The “In-Between” Times

"This is Casting Actors Cast—the podcast for actors with a passion, hosted by me, Jeffrey Dreisbach, casting director, teacher, and author. Whether you're in the spotlight or behind the scenes, this is your place to be informed, inspired, and creatively charged. And today? We’re going to talk about what to do when you’re not working—and you don’t have the funds for classes or coaching. Let’s turn those dry spells into creative wells. Let’s go!"

“IN-BETWEEN” TIMES”

So here’s the truth. Every actor, no matter how successful, goes through what I like to call the “in-between.” It’s that awkward stretch of time when you’re not on set, not auditioning, and frankly, not sure when or if the next opportunity will come. And that’s hard. Especially when you’re watching your peers book jobs, or you're scrolling through casting sites that just don’t seem to offer anything for you.

*And worse, maybe your bank account is saying “no” to classes, workshops, or even just a night out. So now you’re not acting, not training, and definitely not feeling creatively fulfilled. Sound familiar? If so, I want you to know—you’re not alone.

SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

Here’s something I want you to try. Shift the story. Instead of thinking, “I’m not doing anything,” reframe it to, “I’m in my creative incubation phase.” Sounds cheesy? Maybe. But it’s powerful.

When you shift how you see this time—from a dead space to a productive pause—you start to regain control. You’re not waiting. You’re preparing. You’re growing. And here’s the best part—you don’t need money to do that. You need mindset, commitment, and just a little structure.

FREE WAYS TO FILL THE CREATIVE CUP

So, what can you do that costs nothing and feeds your artist soul? I’ve got a whole menu of options for you. Let’s dig in.

1. Read Plays, Scripts, or Monologues.The internet is full of royalty-free play sites. Your local library is a gold mine. Pick a character, break it down, and perform it just for yourself—or even better, record it and watch it back. That’s your scene study class. Right there.

2. Journal in Character.Pick a role from a show or film and spend 15 minutes writing a journal entry as that character. What are they feeling? What happened before the scene? What do they want? This builds empathy, backstory skills, and creative voice.

3. Create a One-Minute Scene.Write a scene. Just one minute. Perform it. Or film it on your phone. Challenge yourself to do one a week. No one else even has to see it—unless you want them to.

4. Free Online Learning.YouTube isn’t just cat videos. There are great acting coaches, voice specialists, and casting directors offering free insights. Make it your mission to watch one video a day with a journal nearby for takeaways.

5. Self-Tape Challenges.Set up a mock audition. Pick a scene, set a deadline, tape it, and review. Maybe send it to a friend for feedback. This builds your self-tape game and keeps your instrument sharp.

6. Walk and Observe.Take a walk with your actor eyes on. Watch people. Listen to conversations (discreetly!). How do people move when they’re upset, joyful, distracted? This kind of observation is training. You’re feeding your acting database.

7. Volunteer in Theater or Arts Organizations.Some theaters offer comp tickets or industry nights to volunteers. It’s also a great way to meet people and stay engaged.

8. Meditate or Do Breathwork.Creativity thrives in calm. Ten minutes a day of stillness can help reduce anxiety and open you up to new ideas. Trust me, your auditions will thank you.

Another big one? Connect with your actor community. Even if you're broke and can’t buy into a class, you can still build a tribe.

Start a weekly Zoom cold read group. Share scene work. Talk shop. Accountability partners make a huge difference when motivation is low.

You don’t need to do this alone. The actor’s path feels solo, but it’s a team sport in disguise.

 Every time you read, record, observe, write, or reflect—you’re investing. Not in dollars. In discipline.

And guess what? When the opportunity does come—and it will—you’ll be ready. You won’t be rusty, bitter, or out of shape. You’ll be charged up with creative electricity, because you kept the spark alive.

 I want you to know that your value as an actor doesn’t change based on your booking status. Your worth is not determined by how much you can spend or how busy your calendar looks.

You are enough. Right now. And everything you do in the “in-between” builds the foundation for what’s next.

Hey, if this episode gave you a little boost today, would you mind sharing it with a fellow actor who might need it too? And don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, or check out the website at castingactorscast.com for more tools, resources, and a whole lotta love for your actor journey.

Until next time, this is Jeffrey Dreisbach—reminding you to keep creating, keep growing, and keep showing up. Because you’ve got this.