Rest

Summer has a rhythm all its own.

Some schedules are slower. Some stages go dark as production rehearsal calendars become a little lighter. For many performers, summer offers something that can be difficult to find during the rest of the year: space.

But for artists, rest and growth are never opposites.

Whether you’re preparing to return to the classroom, auditioning for upcoming productions, developing a new solo piece, or looking ahead to festival season, summer is an opportunity to reconnect—not only with your craft, but with yourself.

As performers, we often measure progress by what audiences see: the standing ovation, the polished performance, the finished production. Yet some of the most meaningful artistic work happens long before anyone takes the stage.

It happens in the quiet.

It happens while reading a new play, journaling through a personal writing, attending a workshop, strengthening your voice, taking a dance class simply for the joy of moving, or finally giving yourself permission to rest.

It happens when we choose curiosity over perfection and growth over productivity.

Solo performance, in particular, asks us to bring our whole selves to the stage. There are rarely elaborate sets to hide behind or large ensembles to lean on. A solo artist carries the story alone through authenticity, vulnerability, and presence.

That kind of storytelling isn’t built overnight. It is nurtured over time.

Summer offers the chance to replenish the well from which every artist creates. Visit a museum. Read books outside your comfort zone. Listen to people whose experiences differ from your own. Travel if you can. Explore your own neighborhood if you can’t. Spend time with family. Reflect on the stories only you can tell.

Life itself is one of an artist’s greatest teachers.

For students preparing to head back to school, this season is also a chance to establish habits that will support you throughout the year. Build a sustainable practice routine. Revisit monologues or movement exercises. Strengthen your voice and body with consistency rather than intensity. Most importantly, remember that your worth as an artist is not measured by how busy you are.

Creativity flourishes when we care for ourselves.

At Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival, we believe that every season has its purpose. Summer is not simply a pause between performances—it is a season of preparation, reflection, and possibility. The work you invest in now becomes the confidence you carry into the next audition, the next classroom, the next rehearsal, and ultimately, the next stage.

As we continue celebrating women’s voices through solo performance, we invite you to stay connected with our community throughout the summer.

Our 2026 Membership Drive continues through July 30, 2026, offering a meaningful opportunity to support the artists and programs that make LAWTF possible. Whether you’re becoming a member for the first time, renewing your membership, or encouraging a friend to join, your support helps us continue creating spaces where diverse voices are heard, celebrated, and uplifted.

Looking ahead, we’re excited for “Wisdom and Wonder,” our eight-week intergenerational storytelling program beginning this Fall. By bringing together seniors and teens to create and share personal stories, the program reflects everything we believe about the power of storytelling: that every voice has value, every generation has something to teach, and every story has the ability to build connection.

Applications are still open for both teens and seniors, and we welcome those who are ready to share their experiences, listen deeply, and discover the meaningful connections that emerge when generations come together through the art of storytelling.

The stage may be quieter during the summer months, but the work of an artist never truly stops.

It grows.

It reflects.

It gathers strength.

So wherever this season finds you—whether you’re writing your first solo show, preparing for a festival, returning to school, or simply rediscovering the joy that first inspired you to perform—we hope you’ll embrace the slower pace, trust the creative process, and remember that every moment spent caring for yourself is also an investment in your artistry.

We’ll be here, cheering you on, and we can’t wait to see where your story takes you next.

Comment below what your plans are for the summer and how you want to connect with your personal artistry.