The industry gears up as this month marks a reset point for the entertainment industry. For many performers, September feels like a second New Year; a chance to set new goals and prepare for the busy months ahead.
The fall season ushers in new TV premieres, film festival buzz and theater launches, offering actors fresh opportunities to learn and get inspired. From wellness practices to industry events, this calendar is your guide for whatever comes your way this fall.
What You’ll Find in This Article
- Advice & Inspiration
- What to Watch: Films
- What to Watch: TV/Small Screen
- Extra TV Highlights (Network Fall Premieres)
- Wellness Activities
- Live / Virtual Events
- Actors with September Birthdays
Advice & Inspiration
1. Seasonal Reset: September marks a fresh start. Audit your headshots, reels and résumés. What needs updating before pilot season?
2. Back-to-School Mindset: Sign up for a new acting class or workshop this month. Learning keeps your instrument sharp.
3. Film Festival Inspiration: With fall festivals rolling in, watch one indie film weekly and study the performances.
4. Pilot Season Prep: Network shows are premiering again. Study the new season’s casting trends to see what archetypes and tones are booking.
5. Cold Read Challenge: September 8 is International Literacy Day. Gather a friend or two and swap random scripts. Practice quick choices and adaptability.
6. Give Back Through Art: September 11 is the National Day of Service in the U.S. Volunteer at a community theater, read to kids, or share your voice with those who need uplifting. Service fuels creativity.
7. Move Like a Performer: September 20 is National Dance Day. Take a dance class or just dance freely at home. Expanding movement vocabulary keeps your performances dynamic.
8. Season of Change: September 22 is the First Day of Fall (Autumn Equinox). Reflect: What roles or habits are you ready to shed? What new beginnings are you inviting this fall?
9. Character Study: Did you know that September 25 is National Comic Book Day? Choose a comic book hero or villain and create a short scene as that character. Stretch your imagination into bold choices.
10. September Spotlight: Choose a legendary actor born in September (e.g., Adam Sandler, Zendaya, Colin Firth) and watch their performances with a critical eye. See below for the birthday list!
11. Embrace Fall Themes: Try writing or improvising a short scene inspired by autumn: endings, transitions, or fresh beginnings.
12. Social Media Spotlight: This month’s social media spotlight goes to comedian Brad Williams!
Born with achondroplasia (a form of dwarfism), Williams turned what could have been a limitation into a powerful comedic asset. Instead of feeling defined by his disability, he uses humor as a bridge.
Whether on stage or in podcast interviews, Williams shares how comedy helped him reframe rejection, build confidence, and pass on those lessons to his daughter. He’s on tour!
What to Watch: Films
13. The Conjuring: Last Rites (horror): The latest and possibly final installment in the supernatural horror saga featuring Ed and Lorraine Warren. Debuts on September 5. Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren try to vanquish a demon from a family’s home. Starring Vera Farmiga, Mia Tomlinson, Taissa Farmiga and Patrick Wilson.
14. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (romance): A new feature film continuation of the beloved British period drama, releasing September 12. In the summer of 1930, the Crawleys grapple with the threat of social disgrace when Mary finds herself at the center of a public scandal, and the family faces financial trouble. Starring Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, Paul Giamatti, Elizabeth McGovern and Penelope Wilton.
15. Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (mockumentary comedy): A music comedy revival directed by Rob Reiner, hitting theaters September 12. Documentarian Marty DiBergi follows estranged Spinal Tap bandmates as they search for a drummer and prepare for a reunion concert in New Orleans.
Joined by music royalty Paul McCartney and Elton John, Spinal Tap wrestles with their checkered past to put on a show that they hope will solidify their place in the pantheon of rock ‘n’ roll. Starring Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Fran Drescher and June Chadwick.
16. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (romantic fantasy): One of the top anticipated films launching on September 19. Through a surprising twist of fate, single strangers Sarah and David get to relive essential moments from their respective pasts, illuminating how they got to where they are in the present. Starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell.
What to Watch: TV/Small Screen
17. Pokémon Concierge (stop-motion animation: Get ready for Part 2, arriving on Netflix September 3! Follow Haru as she helps Pokémon guests enjoy their tropical resort stay. Expect more heartwarming stories blending Pokémon charm with slice-of-life relaxation.
18. The Paper (mockumentary comedy): From The Office creator Greg Daniels, The Paper follows the eccentric staff of a fading Midwest newspaper, blending workplace absurdity with satirical commentary on journalism. The Paper premiers September 4 on Peacock. Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore and Óscar Núñez.
19. Task (crime drama): September 7 on HBO Max marks the debut of Task. From Mare of Easttown creator Brad Ingelsby, this crime drama stars Mark Ruffalo as a troubled detective pulled into a gritty Philadelphia case. Family drama mixes with suspense in a layered story.
20. The Girlfriend (psychological thriller): Arrives on Prime Video September 10. When a woman disappears, her best friend’s obsessive investigation uncovers unsettling truths about their relationship and identities. Starring Robin Wright and Olivia Cooke.
Extra TV Highlights (Network Fall Premieres)
- NBC: The Voice returns September 22; Law & Order franchise relaunch September 25.
- CBS: Survivor (Season 49) begins September 24; The Amazing Race (Season 38) begins September 25.
- Fox: Doc (Season 2) on September 23.
- FX: The Lowdown (noir drama starring Ethan Hawke) on September 23.
Wellness Activities
21. Labor Day Reset Ritual (September 1): Take the holiday to truly rest. No scripts, no self tapes, just restorative activities like a long walk, journaling or cooking a favorite meal. Resetting your nervous system helps you enter fall auditions with fresh energy. If you want to be entertained while watching outdoor cooking on YouTube, check out Stalekracker!
22. Morning Pages for Actors: Commit to writing three stream-of-consciousness pages each morning in September. It clears mental clutter and allows creative flow before rehearsals, auditions or classes.
What’s a stream-of-consciousness page? It’s a type of freewriting exercise where you let your thoughts flow onto the page without stopping, editing, or censoring yourself. It’s called “Morning Pages” (from Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way), but can be done at any time of day.
23. Nutrition Tune-Up (Back-to-School Season): Experiment with meal prepping healthy snacks you can carry to auditions or rehearsals. Balanced nutrition supports energy and helps actors avoid mid-day crashes.
24. Sound Bath or Music Meditation (Mid-Month): Attend a sound bath or create your own music meditation at home. A sound bath is a type of meditation or relaxation experience where you’re “bathed” in sound vibrations from instruments rather than immersed in water. Vibrations and rhythm can help actors tune into body awareness, which translates to presence in performance.
25. Fall Equinox Balance (September 22): Mark the change of season with a balancing ritual: journal what you’re releasing (old fears, negative self-talk) and what you’re embracing (new opportunities, bold risks).
26. Sleep Challenge: For September, aim for 7–8 hours of sleep consistently. Actors often overlook rest, but memory retention (lines, blocking) and emotional regulation rely on quality sleep.
Live / Virtual Events
27. SAG-AFTRA Foundation: Audio Book Voiceover Narration with Paul Liberti (Virtual). Must be a member of SAG-AFTRA to attend. September 3.
28. Seuls en Scène (Princeton, New Jersey): French Theater Festival runs from September 12–21. A live festival featuring ten days of performances by French-language artists — ideal for actors interested in international theatrical styles and dramatic expression.
29. 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) (Busan, South Korea): Asia’s premiere film festival featuring global premieres, panel discussions, and recognition for cinematic excellence. A prime event for expanding global networks that runs from September 17–26.
30. Global Citizen Festival (New York City, NY): A (sort of) free benefit concert on the Great Lawn of Central Park featuring The Weeknd and Shakira, plus Tyla, Ayra Starr and more. The festival champions global causes like energy access in Africa and Amazon rainforest protection. Tickets can be earned or purchased for the September 27 event.
31. Green Day – The Saviors Tour (U.S. Cities): The legendary band performs complete runs of Dookie and American Idiot, part of a massive global tour, which concludes on September 30, 2025, in San Bernardino, CA.
Actors with September 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.
- Zendaya (September 1, 1996): Known for: Euphoria, Spider-Man (MCU), Dune
- Keanu Reeves (September 2, 1964): Known for: The Matrix, John Wick, Speed
- Salma Hayek (September 2, 1966): Known for: Frida, Desperado, Eternals
- Beyoncé (September 4, 1981): Known for: Dreamgirls, Cadillac Records, The Lion King (2019 voice of Nala)
- Idris Elba (September 6, 1972): Known for: Luther, The Wire, Thor
- Michelle Williams (September 9, 1980): Known for: Brokeback Mountain, Manchester by the Sea, Fosse/Verdon
- Adam Sandler (September 9, 1966): Known for: Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison, Uncut Gems
- Colin Firth (September 10, 1960): Known for: The King’s Speech, Pride and Prejudice, Kingsman
- Taraji P. Henson (September 11, 1970): Known for: Empire, Hidden Figures, Hustle & Flow
- Tom Hardy (September 15, 1977): Known for: Inception, Mad Max: Fury Road, Venom
- Amy Poehler (September 16, 1971): Known for: Saturday Night Live, Parks and Recreation, Inside Out
- Alexis Bledel (September 16, 1981): Known for: Gilmore Girls, The Handmaid’s Tale
- Jason Sudeikis (September 18, 1975): Known for: Saturday Night Live, Ted Lasso, We’re the Millers
- Bill Murray (September 21, 1950): Known for: Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, Lost in Translation
- Maggie Grace (September 21, 1983): Known for: Lost, Taken, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn
- Will Smith (September 25, 1968): Known for: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Men in Black, King Richard
- Catherine Zeta-Jones (September 25, 1969): Known for: Chicago, The Mask of Zorro, Traffic
- Michael Douglas (September 25, 1944): Known for: Wall Street, Fatal Attraction, Ant-Man
- Gwyneth Paltrow (September 27, 1972): Known for: Shakespeare in Love, Iron Man (MCU), The Talented Mr. Ripley
- Naomi Watts (September 28, 1968): Known for: Mulholland Drive, 21 Grams, The Impossible
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