Surviving Winter as an Actor: 5 Must-Have Items to Keep You Warm and Prepared

Winter is coming, and if you're a musical theatre actor -- you know that means two things: audition season and sick season. Now, these two things shouldn't go hand in hand, but unfortunately, those are the cards we've been dealt, and we all must collectively figure out a way to move through it.

This list is truly for any actor -- whether you are currently in school, living in New York City auditioning, or touring out on the road. These tools will not only help you get through the next few months of cold weather and the audition hustle, it'll help you absolutely thrive.

VocalMist

VocalMist is a portable nebulizer that is created specifically for singers. I've had this life-saving contraption for over two years now, and I couldn't recommend it more. This works differently than a vocal steamer -- and I'll tell you how. A vocal steamer provides moisture directly to the vocal cords and upper respiratory tract. The nebulizer, on the other hand, has finer particles that can reach further into the lungs. The nebulizer can still help to bring moisture to the vocal cords, but it also helps with overall congestion in the entire respiratory system.

I, personally, love VocalMist because of how small and compact it is. To use it, you need saline solution, which can be bought in bulk on Amazon. These saline containers are also very small, so it makes it nice and easy to throw into your audition bag with the VocalMist, or to carry a huge bulk of them on tour. Overall, it's easy to use, not incredibly expensive, and will help your voice stay nice and healthy.

Entertainer's Secret Throat Spray

To stay on theme with vocal health (in the winter -- that's honestly one of the hardest things to stay on top of), we have the Entertainer's Secret Throat Spray. This spray helps to provide rapid relief for a scratchy, sore, dry, or hoarse voice and throat. It does this by delivering moisture straight to the vocal cords and back of throat, using glycerin and aloe vera.

Many actors on Broadway swear by this spray, and use it as an aid for days when their voice is feeling a little extra tired, or when the cold air is truly reeking havoc on the vocal cords. Don't let outside factors affect your performances or auditions, and take control! Having this handy little spray in your back pocket will be your secret weapon.

Heating Pad

A heating pad may sound like a basic item to have -- but what you may not realize is how many different ways this little device can help you out. Not only is it great to help with small aches and pains, but it is also a great tool to use to help your warm-up and recovery routines become more effective.

In the winter, our muscles tend to get a bit tighter due to the cold weather. If you're a dancer -- you know just how frustrating this is. One great way to use a heating pad to your advantage is to use it as a warm up tool before a show, audition, or class. One of the biggest muscles that likes to tighten up during this time is the hamstrings. Let yourself sit with the heating pad on each hamstring for a few minutes, and then move into some dynamic stretching. This will help your hamstring loosen up a bit, and they'll be much more pliable once you get your body moving. Another part of the body that tightens up is the back or shoulders, so try to use the heating pad before a workout to encourage some extra warmth and blood flow to the area.

A heating pad is also a great recovery tool as well. When you're cooling down your body at the end of the day, you can use the heating pad in the same way as you did when you warmed up. Once you let your muscles get warm, try some easy mobility exercises and stretches. This encourages oxygen and blood flow to the muscles, and you won't feel as sore the next day.

The perfect audition bag

When you're traveling around during the winter in a big puffy coat, hopping from audition to audition -- the last thing you want is to be carrying tons of different bags that have all of the things to get you through the day. If you invest in one bag that'll carry everything you need in an organized way, your back and your type-A tendencies will thank you.

There are a few great bags on the market for this, so I'm going to recommend my two favorites.

Lululemon Quilted Grid Tote Bag - This bag is not only cute to look at, but it can hold a good amount of things. There's a pocket that fits up to a 16 inch laptop, a large open center pocket that zips at the top, exterior slip pockets, and smaller zipped pockets on the inside. This is perfect to hold your music book, headshots and resumes, a pair of dance shoes or audition shoes, and even a rolled-up audition outfit.

LoveVook Large Travel Backpack - This is a great option for dancers. This bag has one compartment that can keep things like headshots and resumes, phone chargers, a laptop, and even some makeup items. The large compartment in the backpack can fit a change of dance clothes, multiple dance shoes, and even hair products to touch up your hair. There are multiple other zippers and compartments as well, which can help you organize other items like snacks, medicine, and other accessories.

A warm audition-outfit cover up

Everyone loves a matching set, but nobody loves it more than dancers who have to layer up with a leotard and fishnets underneath their outfit while it's 20 degrees Fahrenheit outside. You don't just want any sort of set, however. You want it to be incredibly warm and incredibly cute. Here are my favorite sweat/travel sets to wear to auditions or on a travel day on tour.

Abercrombie Essential Sunday Sweat Set - Catch me in these matching sweatpants and zip-up at the audition studios all winter long. It's so cozy, cute, and is nice and loose so it can fit over any type of dance audition outfit.

Athleta Forever Fleece 1/4 Zip - I love this quarter zip for many reasons. It's nice and long, so it covers more of your body -- keeping you nice and warm. The quarter zip is absolutely perfect for when I have my audition makeup caked on -- as I can easily get the sweatshirt over my head without risking a makeup disaster. It's perfect to wear with a pair of leggings and a warm puffy coat.