October is an exciting month full of creativity and a hint of mystery. Actors can fully immerse themselves in the Halloween spirit through themed performances and community events.
Halloween, celebrated annually on October 31st, is a holiday that combines ancient traditions, cultural storytelling, and modern creativity. It’s history dates back over 2,000 years to the Celtic festival of Samhain, during which people lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off spirits believed to cross into the human world as summer ended and winter began. Over the years, the holiday has evolved, incorporating influences from Christian observances, such as All Hallows’ Eve, as well as local folklore and customs from immigrant communities.
Today, Halloween is a celebration that combines spookiness with a playful spirit. Symbols of the holiday, such as pumpkins carved into jack-o’-lanterns, witches, black cats, skeletons, etc, are often featured in decorations, films, and seasonal merchandise.
Halloween reminds us that embracing our fears, transforming through disguise, and finding joy in the eerie and unknown can be liberating and inspiring.
This calendar highlights activities, resources, and seasonal spotlights designed to keep your artistic spark alive throughout the month.
Advice & Inspiration
1. Halloween Read-Through – Gather friends for a staged reading of a horror or thriller script.
2. Silent Rehearsal – Perform a monologue with no words, using only body language and expression. It deepens physical storytelling.
3. Pumpkin Patch Networking – Invite fellow actors to a fall outing. Bonding outside the audition room strengthens relationships.
4. DIY Prop Crafting – Make a spooky prop to practice your interaction with objects on stage or screen.
5. Fear Journal – Write down acting fears (like rejection, typecasting, stage fright) and create action steps to conquer one this month.
6. Voice Warm-Ups with a Seasonal Twist – Read aloud spooky poems or fall stories to stretch your vocal dynamics.
7. Character Backstory Journal – Pick your favorite Halloween creature (witch, vampire, ghost) and write a full character biography as if preparing for a role.
8. Improv “Trick or Treat” Game – Practice quick scenes where one actor offers a “trick” (conflict) and the other responds with a “treat” (resolution).
9. Lighting Study – Experiment with at-home lighting (flashlights, colored bulbs) to see how shadows affect performance and self-tapes.
10. Mystery Movie Marathon – Watch classic suspense films. Analyze how actors build tension with subtle choices.
11. End-of-Month Reflection – On Halloween night, reflect on the year’s roles and set intentions for the final months of 2025.
12.This month’s social media spotlight goes to Simon Sinek! Simon’s books, Start With Why and The Infinite Game, explore how leaders inspire others. He’s appealing to actors because his talks include how to influence positively, lead with authenticity, and stay resilient. He advises on how to lead your own career (brand, mindset, relationships) — not just on performing roles.
What to Watch
Special Halloween Month Viewing Guide
Family-Friendly Picks
- ParaNorman (Re-Release in Theaters, Late October) – Beloved stop-motion adventure where a boy who talks to ghosts saves his town. Great for families and animation fans.
- Is It Cake? Halloween (Netflix, October) – Spooky season twist on the hit baking game show, with eerie cakes that look like creepy props.
- Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween – Airing classics like Hocus Pocus, Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Edward Scissorhands. Great background viewing all month.
- Hotel Transylvania Marathon (Streaming, October) – Family monster comedy films streaming across multiple platforms.
Teen & Young Adult Favorites
- Stitch Head (Theatrical, October 29) – Animated gothic adventure comedy with quirky horror vibes.
- Wolf Man (Theatrical, October) – A modern creature feature for fans of classic monster movies.
- Chainsaw Man: The Movie – Reze Arc (Theatrical, October 29) – Anime horror-action spectacle with a fan-favorite arc, perfect for anime and horror crossover audiences.
- Goosebumps (Disney+ / Hulu, Ongoing October) – Spooky teen fun, adapted from R.L. Stine’s iconic books.
Adult Scares
- Diés Iraé (Theatrical, October 31 – Halloween Night) – International horror thriller with apocalyptic undertones, timed perfectly for Halloween.
- Monster: The Ed Gein Story (Netflix, October 3) – True crime meets horror; chilling series exploring the life and crimes of the infamous killer.
- True Haunting (Netflix, October 7) – Paranormal docuseries based on the first televised exorcism in the U.S.
- IT: Welcome to Derry (HBO, October 26) – IT prequel series diving into Pennywise’s origins and the cursed town of Derry.
Films
13. The Smashing Machine (biopic) – Dwayne Johnson MMA biopic based on a true story about the life of wrestler and martial artist Mark Kerr. Written and directed by Benny Safdie, the film also stars Emily Blunt. In theaters October 3.
14. TRON: Ares (Sci-fi / action) – Does this bring back childhood memories? Disney seems to think so, because on October 10, you can experience this IMAX film. Mankind encounters AI beings for the first time when a highly sophisticated program, Ares, leaves the digital world for a dangerous mission in the real world. Starring Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Jeff Bridges and Gillian Anderson.
15. Kiss of the Spider Woman (musical / drama) – On October 10, this classic adaption hits theaters. Based on the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, which in turn is based on the novel by Argentine author Manuel Puig, it stars Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna, and Tonatiuh.
16. Hedda (arthouse drama) will be in select theaters October 22 before arriving on Prime Video October 29. Set in the late 19th century, the play follows the life of Hedda, a young socialite whose life is filled with endless boredom and longing. Based on the play Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen, it stars Tessa Thompson in the title role, who is also a producer on the film, with Imogen Poots, Tom Bateman, Nicholas Pinnock, and Nina Hoss in supporting roles.
TV/Small Screen
17. Chicago Fire (S14), Chicago Med (S11), Chicago P.D. (S13) (dramas) The Chicago franchise, aka One Chicago, apparently hasn’t jumped the shark yet. Loyal fans can continue to enjoy the series created by Dick Wolf. Each show explores a different facet of public service in the city, from first responders to law enforcement to frontline doctors, often crossing over for high-stakes, city-wide storylines. Watch them on NBC starting October 1.
18. Solar Opposites (S6) (animated comedy) drops on Hulu October 13. It’s an American adult animated science-fiction sitcom created by Justin Roiland and Mike McMahan. A family of aliens from a better world must take refuge in middle America, and they disagree on whether Earth is awful or awesome. Starring the voices of Justin Roiland, Thomas Middleditch, Sean Giambrone, Mary Mack, and Dan Stevens.
19. The Diplomat (S3) (political drama / thriller) returns to Netflix on October 16. Starring Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell, a career diplomat juggles her new high-profile job as ambassador to the United Kingdom and her turbulent marriage to a political star.
20. Star Wars: Visions (S3) (animated anthology / Sci-fi) premieres on Disney+ October 29. Nine celebrated anime studios join forces to create an anthology of Star Wars short stories. The cast includes Anna Sawai, Freddie Highmore, George Takei, Harvey Guillén, Jodie Turner-Smith, Simu Liu, Stephanie Hsu, Steve Buscemi, and Judith Light.
Wellness Activities
21. Pumpkin Spice Breathwork. Take 5–10 minutes daily for deep breathing exercises. Imagine inhaling autumn warmth and exhaling casting stress. Bonus: do this outdoors in the crisp October air.
22. Costume Closet Declutter. Go through your wardrobe and acting props. Donate what you don’t use and refresh your audition looks. Clearing space helps clear your creative energy.
23. Haunted Yoga Flow. Try a themed yoga class (or make your own spooky playlist). Flow through poses while focusing on flexibility and breath—perfect for loosening up before rehearsals.
24. Apple Orchard Reset. Plan a short day trip to an orchard or farm. The fresh air, nature, and sensory play (picking apples, hayrides) help ground you and offer playful inspiration.
25. Autumn Tea Meditation. Brew herbal tea, hold the mug, and mindfully observe the steam and scent. Use the quiet time to visualize your ideal upcoming role.
26. Scary Story Circle. Host (or join) a reading circle with friends. Sharing eerie stories boosts connection and lets you practice cold-reading in a fun, low-stakes way.
Live / Virtual Events
27. AACT “The 4 Ps for Performing Accents” – Virtual Masterclass. October 9, 2025. American Association of Community Theatre holds 75 to 90-minute virtual masterclasses every month that focus on in-depth explorations of specific skills or topics. Registration is $15 for AACT Members; $25 for non-members.
28. Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL) runs October 3-5 & October 10-12 at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. Major music festival with headliners like Hozier, Luke Combs, The Strokes, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, T-Pain, The Killers, Gage the Elephant, Empire of the Sun; multiple stages, huge audience.
29. New York Comic Con (NYCC) takes over New York City on October 9-12. Major pop culture/pop media convention with comics, celebrity panels, voice actors, film & TV‐studio activations. Great place for exposure/networking. Some of this year’s entertainment guests include Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World), Elliot Page (Umbrella Academy), James McAvoy (X-Men), Sigourney Weaver (Alien), Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix), Bredan Fraser (The Mummy), Catherine Disher (Resident Evil 3), Deborah Ann Woll (True Blood), Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters), Hornswoggle (WWE), Krysten Ritter (Jessica Jones), Martin Sheen (The West Wing), Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Tom Skerritt (Top Gun), Veronica Cartwright (Alien), and May Hong (KPop Demon Hunters)
30. AUSA Annual Meeting 2025 (Association of the United States Army) will take place this year in Washington, D.C. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Large military / defense convention. Not entertainment per se, but large‐scale event with networking, vendor exhibits, keynote speeches. The meeting connects military leaders, industry innovators, policymakers, and international delegations. Attendees gain exclusive insights into U.S. Army priorities, explore cutting-edge technologies, and engage in high-impact networking with key decision-makers.
31. NYC Village Halloween Parade (The “Largest Halloween Parade in the World”) – October 31, New York City; free costume parade down Sixth Avenue, large in scale and often live-streamed.
Actors with October Birthdays
Watch their performances for inspiration. Read interviews or biographies of these actors for insight. Post a tribute on social media about the actors below to spark conversation.
- Julie Andrews (October 1, 1935) – The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, The Princess Diaries
- Zach Galifianakis (October 1, 1969) – The Hangover trilogy, Between Two Ferns
- Brie Larson (October 1, 1989) – Room (Oscar winner), Captain Marvel in the MCU
- Alicia Silverstone (October 4, 1976) – Clueless, Batman & Robin, environmental activism
- Liev Schreiber (October 4, 1967) – Ray Donovan, X-Men Origins: Wolverine
- Dakota Johnson (October 4, 1989) – Fifty Shades of Grey series, Cha Cha Real Smooth
- Kate Winslet (October 5, 1975) – Titanic, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Mare of Easttown
- Guy Pearce (October 5, 1967) – Memento, LA Confidential, Iron Man 3
- Matt Damon (October 8, 1970) – Good Will Hunting, The Bourne Identity, The Martian
- Sigourney Weaver (October 8, 1949) – Alien, Ghostbusters, Avatar
- Hugh Jackman (October 12, 1968) – X-Men as Wolverine, The Greatest Showman, Les Misérables
- Josh Hutcherson (October 12, 1992) – The Hunger Games, Five Nights at Freddy’s
- Angela Lansbury (October 16, 1925 – 2022) – Murder, She Wrote, Beauty and the Beast (voice of Mrs. Potts)
- Tim Robbins (October 16, 1958) – The Shawshank Redemption, Mystic River
- John Krasinski (October 20, 1979) – The Office, A Quiet Place, Jack Ryan
- Viggo Mortensen (October 20, 1958) – The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Green Book
- Jeff Goldblum (October 22, 1952) – Jurassic Park series, The Fly, Independence Day
- Catherine Deneuve (October 22, 1943) – The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Belle de Jour
- Ryan Reynolds (October 23, 1976) – Deadpool, Free Guy, The Proposal
- Emilia Clarke (October 23, 1986) – Game of Thrones, Me Before You
- Katy Perry (October 25, 1984) – The Smurfs, American Idol judge
- Pedro Pascal (October 25, 1975) – The Mandalorian, Game of Thrones, The Last of Us
- Joaquin Phoenix (October 28, 1974) – Joker (Oscar winner), Walk the Line, Gladiator
- Julia Roberts (October 28, 1967) – Pretty Woman, Erin Brockovich, Ocean’s Eleven
- Winona Ryder (October 29, 1971) – Beetlejuice, Stranger Things, Edward Scissorhands
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