The Psychology of Performing: Managing the pressures of an acting career with Dr Shona Erskine

Actors live and work in an environment that asks a lot of them. Auditions, rejections, financial uncertainty, intense rehearsal periods, performance anxiety, public scrutiny, relationship dynamics, creative vulnerability, and the challenge of sustaining a career in a highly competitive industry all place unique demands on actors.

As a psychologist who works with artists and performers, I’ve often noticed that the framework we hold for performers has a specific difference. When people outside the performing arts experience stress, they’re often encouraged to step back, do less, or find fulfilment elsewhere. But performers rarely want to care less about their craft. They want to keep creating, keep striving, and keep showing up for the work they love. The question becomes: how do we develop the skills to manage high levels of stress sustainably?

In this conversation, we’ll explore the psychological realities of life as an actor. We’ll discuss the thoughts that can undermine confidence, the emotions that come with putting yourself on the line creatively, the physical demands of rehearsal and performance, and the challenge of balancing the pressures of work with the realities of everyday life.

Most importantly, we’ll look at practical ways to build psychological flexibility and resilience so that stress doesn’t consume the energy you need for what matters most: telling stories, connecting with audiences, and bringing your creative work to life.

Whether you’re navigating the stress of auditions, managing performance nerves, recovering from setbacks, or simply trying to sustain a long and meaningful career in the arts, this session will offer practical insights and plenty of opportunity for discussion.

Bring your questions. The world of performance is demanding, but there are many skills we can learn that help us meet those demands while continuing to grow as artists and as people.

Dr Shona Erskine is a registered psychologist in private practice with 30 years’ experience working in the arts sector. After graduating the Victorian College of the Arts (Dance, 1994), she spent decades working as a dancer while qualifying as a psychologist. She has an expertise in psychology for performing and visual artists and work through professional companies, universities, and in private practice. The focus of her psychology work includes performance and creativity as well as communication and complex systems. She has a keen interest in best practice models for artists that attend to the whole person with compassion and curiosity.