May: 31 Activities for Every Day This Month

May the force of entertainment be with you! Welcome back to your actor activities roundup, where we recommend everything from empowering exercises to the best entertainment events for each day of the month. Check out these 31 carefully-curated activities that will help your career blossom:

Advice & Inspiration:

1. Get inspired by the Queen of acting herself! Watch Meryl Streep describe what acting means to her.

2. In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, check in to acting class with the legendary Stella Adler.

3. Listen to the premiere episode of Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ powerful new podcast Wiser Than Me with the one and only Jane Fonda.

4. Friendly reminder: Teacher’s Appreciation Week is May 8 – 12. Use this as an opportunity to thank your favorite acting teacher for all they’ve taught you.

5. Drop into The Art of Kindness podcast’s conversation with Little Fires Everywhere and Tiny Beautiful Things Showrunner Liz Tigelaar to gleam advice from the other side of the camera.

6. Does finding a good monologue stress you out? Check out these tips for cutting a good one from a scene.

7. Tune into Abbott Elementary star Sheryl Lee Ralph’s empowering discussion on the hit podcast Awards Chatter.

8. Registration for most summer acting courses are open! Browse techniques and ponder what classes could benefit you.

9. Do people always say “good luck” to you before auditions or just about your career in general? Nonprofit Kindness.org shared some incredible ways to make your own luck!

10. May is National Mental Health Month, so we’re naming @realdepressionproject our social media spotlight. Follow along for helpful and reassuring posts centered on all aspects of mental health.

What to watch:

11. May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Most major streamers have curated playlists that make it easy to watch content that celebrates Asian and Pacific Islander American stories.

12. The White House Plumbers (mini series) streams onto HBO Max May 1: HBO Max has a clogged toilet, and a star-studded list of players is here to unclog it. Justin Theroux and Woody Harrelson lead a cast of acting veterans (notably including Kathleen Turner) in a satirical political drama that follows the masterminds behind Watergate.

13. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (limited series) streams on Netflix May 4: Dearest readers, the ‘ton is abuzz with a new Bridgerton spin-off. Fans of Shonda Rhinmes’ runaway franchise will no doubt relish this Queen Charlotte origin story.

14. The Other Two (comedy series) returns to HBO Max on May 4: We’d say third time’s the charm, but really every time’s the charm with this cheeky series that pokes fun at the industry we all know and love. The premise is two desperate siblings vying to match the success in the entertainment industry that their family (which includes their mom Pat played by Molly Shannon) has catapulted to.

15. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (action film) soars into theaters on May 5: Even though it’s still spring – Disney is launching a summer blockbuster. The tertiary installment of Marvel’s superhero series is set to shine a light on Rocket’s past.

16. Fool’s Paradise (satirical comedy) hits theaters May 12: Charlie Day makes his directorial debut in this flick that sees a fool for love become an accidental celebrity.

17. The Mother (action film) streams on Netflix May 14: Jennifer Lopez is billed as THE mother of all mothers in this action-fueled thriller.

18. About My Father (comedy) hits theaters on May 26: Robert De Niro and Sebastian Maniscalco play a bickering father-son duo in this comedy about finding the true meaning of family.

19. The Little Mermaid (family fairytale) splashes into theaters on May 26: Dive under the sea for Disney’s highly-anticipated live-action adaptation of the beloved tale. Early buzz suggests that Halle Bailey’s Ariel and Melissa McCarthy’s Ursula are enough reason to swim under the sea again.

Wellness Activities:

20. As we’ve established, May is Mental Health Month. Use this as a reminder to check in with your loved ones and yourself. Organizations like the National Institute of Mental Health exist to provide resources, should you need them.

21. Amidst the ever-marching hustle parade, take a moment to stop and ask yourself why. “Why am I pursuing acting?” It’s important to check in and get to the route of your intentions.

22. It was recently discovered that taking 5-second breaths is optimal for regulating the body and also reducing stress. Find out more about the science behind it here.

23. As the sun starts to poke out more and more, be sure to plan some outdoor activities for yourself. Getting outside is vital for wellness.

24. When’s the last time you did absolutely nothing for 10 whole minutes? Watch mindfulness expert Andy Puddicombe describes the transformative power of doing just that.

25. Selena Gomez stepped up and now stands at the intersection of performers and mental health. Take a look at some of the insights the artist has shared over the years.

Live/ Virtual Events:

26. The nominations for the 76th annual Tony Awards will be announced on Tuesday, May 2nd, by Lea Michele and Myles Frost live from the Sofitel New York on the Tony Awards YouTube Channel.

27. After a smashing (and sold-out) run at BAM, heavy hitters Rachel Brosnahan and Oscar Isaac carry The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window on over to Broadway, officially opening the first week of May.

28. Oh, baby, baby! Britney Spears’ chart-topping collection of music goes theatrical when Once Upon a One More Time starts previews at the Marquis Theatre May 13, adding yet another happily ever after story to the fairy tale landscape that has become Broadway.

29. From bird watching to lollygagging amongst lilacs, places like Botanical Gardens in New York are offering countless outdoor excursions. Check out your local nature center!

30. From current artists like Ed Sheeran to throwback crooners like Duran Duran, May is filled with a multitude of hot concert series to attend.

31. Last, but certainly not least, May 14th is Mother’s Day. Celebrate the maternal figure in your life. She deserves it.

Looking to get your big break? Sign up or login to Casting Networks and land your next acting role today!

You may also like:

• My Casting Story: Rebecca Wisocky on ‘Ghosts’
• Tips for Cutting a Monologue From a Scene
• 5 Ways to Research a Character

Robert Peterpaul is a writer, podcaster and performer, who can be seen in films like IFC's “King Cobra,” T-Mobile ad campaigns, and TV shows like CBS' “BULL.” He currently hosts the hit podcast The Art of Kindness with the Broadway Podcast Network. Other writing and hosting highlights include: NBC’s “Access Hollywood” and “America’s Got Talent,” “BUILD Series,” the Huffington Post and serving as the Weekend Editor for HOLA!/ HELLO! USA for six years. He also co-founded his family’s nonprofit the Thomas Peterpaul Foundation, which aims to end pediatric cancer. Robert has studied at the Barrow Group, Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, UCB and earned a B.A. from Marist College. Thank you for reading and keep following your bliss! www.robertpeterpaul.com