20 things to do when you're STUCK in your acting career

This is an excerpt from my book, SO YOU WANNA BE A NEW YORK ACTOR?  It seems appropriate at the moment: lots of actors are complaining right now that the business is slow.  The union merger is causing confusion, and/or it's just a momentary lull.
BUT, You're presented with an opportunity here.  Try on of these 20 things!

(Get it? The puppy is "stuck"!)

20 THINGS YOU CAN DO WHEN YOU FEEL STUCK

1) Volunteer in a casting office. When you meet a new casting director, ask them if they ever need readers or assistants. Readers are the audition assistants that read audition scenes with the actors who come in. It’s a great way to get to know the casting people, to show that you know how to act, and to demystify the process, so you’re much more relaxed next time you come in.

2) Volunteer as an intern to do some office work with your agent or manager. It can be really eye-opening for an actor to see exactly what goes on in the office all day. The actors get to know their reps better, and vice versa. This relationship is crucial. Why not spend some time on it?

3) Take a class. Improv, Stand-up, Storytelling, VoiceOver, Shakespeare. There are 1000 great classes in the city. Classes will sharpen your talent, they will help you network, and they will give you something to put on a postcard.

4) Go to the gym.

5) Write a short film script. The book “Screenplay” by Syd Field is the classic how-to manual on screenwriting.

6) Organize an actors' support group with a few of your friends to meet once a week and work on new material. A support group can help you work your audition material, can sharpen your mailings and correspondence, and hold you accountable for your marketing plan. When you set a goal and tell everyone about it, you're much more likely to put the work in.

7) Submit yourself for five things you would not normally submit yourself for.

8) Learn a new monologue.

9) Organize your expenses to date so you are better prepared for tax season.

10) Write a thank you to your agent or manager for no specific reason, just for their partnership in causing your success.

11) Read a play you have never read before.

12) Pick your favorite actor. Rent three movies he/she is in, and have a movie marathon.

13) Register to do background/extra work. Being an extra is boring, yes, but it pays and gives you the opportunity to work on a set. If you're not comfortable with how a film/tv/commercial set works, then do some extra work and learn the lingo. You can register with the big casting directors either by mail or open calls.

14) Go to an open call you wouldn't normally attend. Open calls are great ways to gain experience and the perfect venue to debut a new monologue you've been preparing.

15) If you sing, prepare a song and tape it for your website or to send in CD form when you do mailings.

16) Hold a staged reading in your apartment. Cast your friends in all the roles.

17) Research improv and/or theatre groups and submit yourself to five.

18) Videotape yourself doing a scene or monologue and watch the tape. Look to see what works and what is missing.

19) Learn a new accent so you can add it to your repertoire. The standard way to do this is to buy practice tapes at any drama bookshop, but thanks to the magic of youtube, you can also find free lessons online.

20) Start an AFI film club with your friends. Go to AFI's website and pick one of their many “Top 100” lists, then start working your way down the list, watching the movies. Pay special attention to studying the performances.