Like fireworks bursting in the night sky, July is a season of ignition for actors — the year’s seventh month pulses with heat, color, energy and motion. With July marking the halfway point of the year, it allows actors to pause, reflect and redirect.
July is also a month of courage. Let the summer heat inspire you to persevere despite setbacks and uncertainties. Be brave: audition for the role you think you’re “not right for,” try a new genre, collaborate on a project that scares you or write that scene that’s been living in your mind. With all of that being said, let’s get into the activities for every day this month!
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Advice & Inspiration
1. Mid-Year Check-In: Take 15 minutes to reflect on your acting goals for 2025. What have you accomplished? What do you want to prioritize in the second half of the year?
What goals did you set back in January? Were they about landing more auditions, improving a skill, getting new headshots, or building industry connections? What have you accomplished so far?
Be specific. Maybe you joined a scene study class, upgraded your self tape setup or submitted more consistently. What surprised you? Did any unexpected opportunities come up? Give yourself credit for every step, no matter how big or small.
2. Embrace the Heat: Film a summer-themed monologue outdoors. Select a monologue in which the character seeks freedom — emotionally, physically or spiritually. Perform it with that in mind. Use the weather, light, and sounds around you to enhance your performance.
Grab a copy of Short Monologues for Actors or, if you’re a teenager, Monologues for Teens II. Optional challenge: Post a short clip of your outdoor monologue on social media using the hashtags #ActorsInTheWild or #SummerScene2025 to connect with other creatives who are embracing the season.
3. Firecracker Focus: Like fireworks, your unique spark stands out. What makes you different as an actor? Identify it. Write it. Own it.
Ask yourself: What do people consistently compliment me on in my performances? What kind of characters do I feel most alive playing? When I walk into a room, what energy do I bring that no one else does? What’s my flavor: quirky? Grounded? Magnetic? Fearless?
4. Gratitude Shout-Out: Send a thank-you message to someone who has supported your acting journey: coach, castmate, director or friend.
Need help starting? Try this: “Hey, I’ve been reflecting on my journey lately, and I just wanted to say thank you. Your support during [insert memory or project] stuck with me. It helped me grow as an actor, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”
5. Cast Yourself Day: Pick a movie or show you love, pretend you’re the casting director and decide what role you’d cast yourself in and why. Go deep: Would you bring something new to the role? What details in your background, training or personality would enrich this character? What would your version of the performance look and feel like?
6. “Hot Take” Journal Prompt: Write about a role you secretly want to play but are “not right for” on paper. Then, brainstorm how to make it yours. Maybe the role is traditionally played by a different gender, age or ethnicity. Or perhaps the role is written for someone with a different background or skill set.
Also, consider a lead in a genre you’ve never been considered for (musical, horror, action, etc.) With the casting industry shifting, your “not right for it” might be someone else’s breakout reinterpretation. Your “hot take” might just change everything.
7. Lucky Number Seven: Record seven seconds of something joyful: a laugh, a wink, a dance. Post it or keep it to remind yourself why you love performing.
8. Stillness Practice: Try a full minute of stillness on camera. No movement, just emotion. Frame yourself as you would for a close-up, using natural lighting and a simple background.
Ground yourself: plant your feet, soften your body, take a breath. Start rolling, then hold your gaze. Don’t speak. No deliberate actions. Just stay emotionally present. Let something live behind your eyes. Think of a secret. A loss. A hope. A hunger. Let it ripple beneath the surface without ever saying a word. It’s harder than it sounds.
9. Summer Soundtrack Scene: Pick your favorite summer song and improvise a short scene or character inspired by it. Songs can be upbeat, nostalgic, moody, romantic, rebellious — anything that screams, “This is my summer.” You can even go indie, instrumental or retro!
Ask yourself what the song is about. What’s the character’s story? Keep the scene simple, 30-60 seconds. Post your scene and tag it #SummerSceneChallenge or #ActorSoundtrackScene to inspire fellow creatives.
10. Casting Director Research: Select one casting director and investigate the types of projects they typically cast. Tailor a self tape to their vibe. Ask yourself: What’s the tone of the projects they cast? Are the performances subtle or bold? Stylized or naturalistic? What types of actors do they tend to choose—raw energy, trained veterans, unconventional types? Doing your homework now can help you stand out when the opportunity arrives.
11. Find Your Actor Mantra: Create a personal affirmation to ground you before auditions and performances (e.g.,: “I am prepared, open and enough.”). Put it on a sticky note on your monitor or mirror. Make it your phone lock screen. Say it before every self-tape or audition. Whisper it in the stage wings before your entrance.
Try pairing your mantra with a physical anchor, such as pressing your hand to your chest, taking one deep breath, or touching your script.
12. This month’s social media spotlight goes to Stanzi Potenza! With 4.3 million followers on TikTok as of this article, Stanzi’s content is considered a “cringe-comedy twist.” A prime example is the latest video about being a traditional wife. Total cringe! Stanzi shows us that being different can be eye-catching.
What to Watch:
Films
13. Jurassic World Rebirth (action/sci-fi): Next in the franchise of Jurassic Park films, stomping into theaters on July 2. Starring starring Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali. Zora Bennett leads a team of skilled operatives to the most dangerous place on Earth, an island research facility for the original Jurassic Park. Their mission is to secure genetic material from dinosaurs whose DNA can provide life-saving benefits to mankind.
14. Superman (action/superhero): James Gunn’s Man of Steel reboot lands July 11 in theaters and IMAX. Starring David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan. Superman embarks on a journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent.
15. Fantastic Four: The First Steps (action/sci-fi): Marvel origin story opens July 25. Starring Vanessa Kirby, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn and Julia Garner. Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch and the Thing face their most daunting challenge yet as they defend Earth from Galactus and Silver Surfer.
16. Osiris (action/sci-fi): Starring Linda Hamilton, Max Martini and Brianna Hildebrand, arrives in theaters on July 25. A team of Special Forces commandos wake up on an alien spacecraft with no memory of how they arrived. They horrifically discover a merciless Alien race is hunting them.
TV/Small Screen
17. Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires (animated): An HBO Max special set to release on July 3. Starring Horacio García Rojas, Omar Chaparro and Álvaro Morte. The father of Yohualli Coatl, a young Aztec boy, is murdered by Spanish conquistadors. As an adult, Coatl is a priest in the court of King Moctezuma II. He works with his fellow clerics in the temple of Tzinacan to develop weaponry and equipment to face the Spanish invaders using the masked persona of the “Batman.”
18. South Park Season 27 (animated): The new installment of the series arrives at Comedy Central on July 9. Starring creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone as the leading voices and parodying current events, this is great for winding down after a hard day of work!
19. Electric Bloom (musical comedy:) Premiering on Disney Channel on July 10, the series stars Lumi Pollack, Carmen Sanchez, Ruby Marino and Nathaniel Buescher. Follows the high-energy origin story of a chart-topping girl group. It features original songs by legendary songwriter Diane Warren, who is a Grammy, Emmy and Golden Globe award winner.
20. Low Life (crime drama): The Korean series premieres on Disney+ and Hulu on July 16. Starring Ryu Seung-ryong. What happens when a buried treasure ship off the coast of Sinan sparks a struggle among bumpkins blinded by greed?
Wellness Activities:
21. Intention Setting Ritual: Start the month with a grounding ritual. Light a candle, stretch or journal for 10 minutes. Set a clear intention for your artistic and personal wellness this month.
22. Breathwork for Nerves: Learn a simple breathwork technique (like box breathing, a stress-reducing technique utilized by the U.S. Navy SEALs, or 4-7-8, a powerful relaxation technique often used in Dialectical Behavior Therapy [DBT]) to calm audition-day jitters or performance anxiety. Practice it even when you’re not nervous, so it becomes second nature.
23. Meal Prep for the Week: Fuel your body like an artist-athlete. Prepare a few balanced meals or snacks ahead of time, especially for long shoot days or class nights. These containers will help.
24. Vocal Reset Day: Give your voice a rest. Avoid unnecessary talking, singing, yelling or whispering. Sip warm tea, hum gently and stay hydrated. Let your instrument recharge.
25. Nature Break: Get outdoors for at least 30 minutes. Whether it’s a walk in the park or quiet time on a balcony, connect with nature and let your senses unwind from digital noise and studio walls. You can take your book with you, in case you find a bench to rest on.
26. Hydration Check-In: Are you drinking enough water? Keep a water bottle nearby during rehearsals or taping days. Hydration helps focus, skin, voice and energy — especially in summer heat or under studio lights. Check out these stickers to place on your water bottle!
Live / Virtual Events:
27. Zoom Film/TV Intensive with Casting Director Olissa Rogers: Starting on July 7, work directly with the Emmy-winning CD behind Wednesday and Ted Lasso.
28. We Audition: Actors Pro Expo Virtual: July 10-12. A three-day global online expo with workshops, live monologue opportunities, panels featuring casting directors, agents, coaches and actor networking sessions
29. Guns N’ Roses European Tour: Summer dates through July, including a July 31 appearance at Germany’s Wacken Open Air. Great for classic rock fans.
30. New York Asian Film Festival: Running from July 11-27. Since 2002, NYAFF has served as North America’s premier showcase for Asian film, spotlighting the next generation of cinematic voices. It has introduced audiences to future icons — from early Bong Joon Ho to the Thai horror revolution — and continues to define the cultural moment.
31. Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis Screenings + Q&A (Tour, USA): July 20 (Red Bank, NJ) & July 23 (Port Chester, NY). Includes intimate screening and live discussion with Coppola, perfect for actors seeking deep creative insight and inspiration.
Actors with July Birthdays
Watch their performances for inspiration. Read interviews or biographies of these actors for insight into their lives and careers. Post a tribute on social media about the actors below to spark conversation.
- Tom Cruise – Born July 3, known for: Top Gun, Mission: Impossible series, Jerry Maguire
- Kevin Hart – Born July 6, known for: Jumanji, Ride Along, Central Intelligence, stand-up comedy
- Sylvester Stallone – Born July 6, known for: Rocky, Rambo, The Expendables
- Jaden Smith – Born July 8, known for: The Karate Kid, The Pursuit of Happyness, After Earth
- Tom Hanks – Born July 9, known for: Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away, Toy Story
- Sofia Vergara – Born July 10, known for: Modern Family, Chef, America’s Got Talent
- Patrick Stewart – Born July 13, known for: Star Trek: The Next Generation, X-Men series
- Jane Lynch – Born July 14, known for: Glee, Best in Show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
- Forest Whitaker – Born July 15, known for: The Last King of Scotland, The Butler, Black Panther
- Will Ferrell – Born July 16, known for: Anchorman, Elf, Step Brothers, Saturday Night Live
- Benedict Cumberbatch – Born July 19, known for: Doctor Strange, Sherlock, The Imitation Game
- Sandra Oh – Born July 20, known for: Killing Eve, Grey’s Anatomy, The Chair
- Daniel Radcliffe – Born July 23, known for: Harry Potter series, Swiss Army Man, Miracle Workers
- Matt LeBlanc – Born July 25, known for: Friends, Episodes, Man with a Plan
- Maya Rudolph – Born July 27, known for: Bridesmaids, Saturday Night Live, Loot
- Terry Crews – Born July 30, known for: Brooklyn Nine-Nine, White Chicks, America’s Got Talent
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