Keywords

Flow Theory Decision Fatigue Actor Burnout Habit Formation Audition Management Performing Arts Technology App Development

Abstract

For many actors, the audition process can feel like a never-ending series of decisions—what to prepare, what to wear, what to bring, and how to keep track of it all. Each choice, though seemingly small, accumulates into a form of cognitive overload that can lead to burnout and disengagement. My fascination lies not only with how actors navigate this process but how we might reframe it. This thesis explores the question: How can I design a digital space that reduces decision fatigue and restores agency to actors preparing for auditions? Drawing from Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s Flow Theory, James Clear’s Atomic Habits, and Stephen R. Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, I investigate how technology can support consistency, focus, and emotional well-being in a field often ruled by uncertainty. The project begins with an exploration of decision fatigue and burnout in creative professionals and continues with an analysis of habit formation, goal setting, and the conditions for entering flow. The latter chapters document the design and implementation of an actor-focused mobile app, including the guiding principles behind its features and how the integration of psychological frameworks informed each design choice. This thesis argues that when we build digital tools rooted in psychological theory and behavioral science, we not only streamline the audition process—we make space for actors to thrive.

Completion Date

2025

Semester

Spring

Committee Chair

Listengarten, Julia

Degree

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)

College

College of Arts and Humanities

Department

Theater

Identifier

DP0029270

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

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