Sarah Snook Learned ‘Dorian Gray’ Lines on Treadmill Like Taylor Swift’s ‘Genius’ Routine for ‘Eras’

Preparing for the Spotlight: Sarah Snook and Taylor Swift’s Unique Approaches to Performance

Preparing for a major performance, whether on Broadway or a world tour, requires immense dedication, discipline, and creativity. For Sarah Snook, the former star of Succession, and global superstar Taylor Swift, their roads to success have taken similar yet distinct paths. Both artists have adopted unconventional methods to ensure they deliver their best on stage, with Snook drawing inspiration from Swift’s rigorous preparation for her record-breaking Eras Tour. In this summary, we dive into their journeys, the challenges they’ve faced, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour and the Power of Preparation

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, which ran from 2023 to 2024, was a monumental feat that showcased her stamina, artistry, and dedication. The three-hour concert, performed across multiple continents, required Swift to overhaul her workout routine and rehearsal process. In an interview with TIME in December 2023, Swift revealed her unique preparation method: “Every day I would run on the treadmill, singing the entire set list out loud. Fast for fast songs, and a jog or a fast walk for slow songs.” This method allowed her to build the endurance needed for her high-energy performances. Additionally, Swift undertook three months of intensive dance training, ensuring that her routines were ingrained in her body. Her goal? To be “so over-rehearsed” that she could connect with her fans freely without losing her focus. Swift’s approach highlights the importance of physical and mental preparation in delivering a flawless show.

Sarah Snook: A Broadway Debut and the Challenges of Motherhood

Sarah Snook, best known for her role as Shiv Roy in Succession, recently made her Broadway debut in a revival of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. This one-woman show, which Snook also performed during its West End run, is a demanding production that requires her to play 26 different characters. The challenge was made even greater by the fact that Snook took on the role when her daughter was just six months old. In a profile published in The New Yorker on March 16, Snook shared how she prepared for the “marathon-like” show. Inspired by Swift’s treadmill-and-script approach, Snook adopted a similarly disciplined routine: “No alcohol, no caffeine. Sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep. And I do my lines at pace on a treadmill.” She even credited Swift’s method as a “genius idea” that helped her stay focused and physically prepared for the demands of the show.

Balancing Motherhood and Career: Sarah Snook’s Journey

Taking on such a demanding role as a new mother was no small feat for Snook. She had agreed to the production before her daughter was born, and her husband, Dave Lawson, had reservations about the timing. “He’s already got a kid. He knew how hard it was going to be,” Snook recalled. “Ignorance is bliss. You go, ‘Oh, this will be fine.’” But Snook quickly learned that balancing motherhood with her career required a new level of discipline. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, not just for her performance but also for her role as a new mom. “Keeping myself healthy for being a new mom also kept myself healthy for doing this marathon,” she said. Snook also shared how motherhood influenced her approach to the show, stating, “It’s valuing sleep, needing to keep nutrition up, because she’s taking a lot of it from breastfeeding.”

The Straight and Narrow: How Motherhood Shaped Snook’s Routine

For Snook, the key to success lay in maintaining a disciplined and healthy lifestyle. She avoided alcohol and caffeine, prioritized sleep, and focused on her lines and physical conditioning. This “straight and narrow” approach was not just about preparing for the show but also about being the best version of herself for her daughter. “Otherwise, it’s very easy to go, ‘Had a big night tonight. Yeah, I’ll have a drink. Yeah, I’ll have a glass of wine.’ And then you’re going to bed at 5 and sleeping until 3. With a baby, you cannot do that,” she explained. Motherhood, in many ways, became her motivation to stay grounded and focused, both on and off the stage.

Lessons from the Spotlight: Preparation, Discipline, and Balance

The stories of Taylor Swift and Sarah Snook offer valuable insights into the importance of preparation, discipline, and balance in achieving success. For Swift, her rigorous rehearsal process and physical conditioning allowed her to deliver a world-class tour that connected with fans on an unprecedented scale. For Snook, her journey as a new mother and Broadway performer underscored the value of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and embracing discipline as a means of thriving in both personal and professional realms. Both artists remind us that success is not just about talent but about the hard work and sacrifices that go into perfecting one’s craft.

Conclusion: The Power of Inspiration and Perseverance

Sarah Snook’s Broadway debut and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour are testaments to the power of inspiration and perseverance. By adopting unconventional yet effective preparation methods, both artists have set new standards for excellence in their respective fields. Snook’s decision to draw from Swift’s approach highlights the importance of seeking inspiration from others, whether they are in the same industry or not. At the same time, their stories remind us that success is deeply personal and often requires balancing multiple facets of life. As Snook and Swift continue to captivate audiences with their talent and dedication, their journeys serve as a reminder that hard work, creativity, and resilience are the keys to achieving greatness.