In the cutthroat realm of Hollywood, where every role is a high-stakes gamble, actors must continuously reinvent themselves to stay ahead of the curve. For Sarah Snook, the talented actress known for her chilling portrayal of Shiv Roy in the hit HBO series ‘Succession,’ preparation is key. Sources close to the star have revealed that she turned to the unlikeliest of inspiration to get ready for her next role: none other than global superstar Taylor Swift.
As we all know, Taylor Swift’s concerts are meticulously crafted spectacles, with every detail designed to mesmerize her devoted fan base. But it’s not just the music and choreography that make her shows truly unforgettable – it’s the behind-the-scenes preparation that goes into bringing the entire experience to life. And it’s this same level of dedication and attention to detail that Snook has adopted as she gears up for her next acting challenge.

Succession Star Sarah Snook Takes a Page Out of Taylor Swift’s Tour Prep

Succession‘s Shiv Roy (Sarah Snook) may have at times fought and tumbled her way through the HBO dramedy, but the Emmy-winning actress is putting her stamina to the true test in her one-woman Broadway adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray — and she’s taking a cue from popstar Taylor Swift to prepare.

The Picture of Dorian Gray: A True Athlete’s Prep
- Rehearsals and Runs
- Training with a rigorous workout routine, including treadmill running and aerobics
- Running on the treadmill for 3.5 hours at a time while singing the entire 3.5 hour setlist aloud: “Fast for fast songs, and a jog or a fast walk for slow songs,” she said. “I wanted to get it in my bones. I wanted to be so over-rehearsed that I could be silly with the fans, and not lose my train of thought. Learning choreography is not my strong suit,” Swift added.
- Conducting extensive research on the tour schedule, venues, and audience demographics
The Secret to a Successful Tour

Research and Planning
Instachronicles has learned that Snook is taking a page from Swift’s playbook to prepare for her role. When asked how she trained for the unique role, in which she portrays 26 characters male and female, she replied, “No alcohol, no caffeine. Sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep. And I do my lines at pace on a treadmill, you know.”
When asked how she trained for the unique role, in which she portrays 26 characters male and female, she replied, “No alcohol, no caffeine. Sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep. And I do my lines at pace on a treadmill, you know.”
“I heard that and thought, ‘That’s a genius idea. I’m gonna do that,’” Snook said of Swift’s regimen. The multi-Grammy winner told Time in 2023 that she embarked on a rigorous workout routine half a year prior to her sprawling Eras Tour, which ran from March 2023 through December 2024 to become the highest-grossing tour of all time.
Preparing for Success: Strategies from Taylor Swift and Sarah Snook

As a renowned actress, Sarah Snook is no stranger to taking on challenging roles. Her latest endeavor, a one-woman Broadway adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, requires her to portray 26 characters, both male and female, without a break. To prepare for this demanding role, Snook has taken inspiration from popstar Taylor Swift’s rigorous rehearsal routine.
According to an interview with The New Yorker, Snook has adopted a similar approach to Swift’s, who prepared for her Eras Tour by running on a treadmill while singing her entire 3.5-hour setlist aloud. Snook has also incorporated exercise into her daily routine, performing her lines on a treadmill to build endurance. This level of dedication is a testament to the importance of thorough preparation in achieving success.
Creating a Detailed Itinerary and Contingency Plan
When preparing for a major event or project, having a detailed itinerary and contingency plan in place is essential. This involves breaking down the project into smaller, manageable tasks, and identifying potential risks and challenges. By doing so, individuals can develop strategies to mitigate these risks and ensure a smooth execution.
For example, when planning a concert tour, it’s essential to consider factors such as venue logistics, sound and lighting equipment, and personnel management. Having a detailed itinerary and contingency plan in place can help to minimize the risk of unexpected issues and ensure that the event runs smoothly.
Identifying Potential Risks and Challenges
When creating a contingency plan, it’s essential to identify potential risks and challenges that may arise. This involves considering factors such as weather conditions, equipment failure, and personnel illness or injury. By identifying these risks, individuals can develop strategies to mitigate them and ensure that the event is not disrupted.
- Weather conditions: Have a backup plan in place in case of bad weather, such as a tent or indoor venue.
- Equipment failure: Have a backup system in place, such as a spare sound system or lighting equipment.
- Personnel illness or injury: Have a backup plan in place, such as a replacement personnel or a plan for emergency services.
Budgeting and Financial Management
Budgeting and financial management are critical components of any project or event. It’s essential to establish a realistic budget and manage expenses carefully to ensure that the project is financially sustainable.
When creating a budget, it’s essential to consider all expenses, including personnel costs, equipment rental, and marketing expenses. By doing so, individuals can ensure that they have a clear understanding of the project’s financial requirements and can make informed decisions about resource allocation.
Establishing a Realistic Budget
Establishing a realistic budget involves considering all expenses and income streams. This includes personnel costs, equipment rental, marketing expenses, and revenue streams. By doing so, individuals can ensure that they have a clear understanding of the project’s financial requirements and can make informed decisions about resource allocation.
- Personnel costs: Consider the cost of hiring personnel, including salaries, benefits, and training expenses.
- Equipment rental: Consider the cost of renting equipment, including sound and lighting equipment.
- Marketing expenses: Consider the cost of marketing the event, including advertising and promotional expenses.
Marketing and Promotion
Marketing and promotion are critical components of any project or event. It’s essential to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy to promote the event and attract audiences.
When developing a marketing strategy, it’s essential to consider the target audience and the channels that will be most effective in reaching them. This may include social media, email marketing, and print advertising. By doing so, individuals can ensure that they are effectively promoting the event and attracting the desired audience.
Developing a Comprehensive Marketing Strategy
Developing a comprehensive marketing strategy involves considering the target audience and the channels that will be most effective in reaching them. This may include social media, email marketing, and print advertising. By doing so, individuals can ensure that they are effectively promoting the event and attracting the desired audience.
- Social media: Consider using social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, to promote the event and engage with the target audience.
- Email marketing: Consider using email marketing campaigns to promote the event and provide updates to the target audience.
- Print advertising: Consider using print advertising, such as flyers and posters, to promote the event and reach the target audience.
Embracing Change and Building Resilience
Embracing change and building resilience are essential components of achieving success. It’s essential to be open to new experiences and challenges, and to develop coping strategies to manage stress and anxiety.
When faced with change or uncertainty, it’s essential to remain calm and focused. This involves developing a mindset that is open to new experiences and challenges, and being willing to adapt and adjust as needed. By doing so, individuals can build resilience and achieve success.
Developing a Mindset that is Open to New Experiences and Challenges
Developing a mindset that is open to new experiences and challenges involves being willing to take risks and try new things. This may involve stepping outside of your comfort zone and being open to new ideas and perspectives. By doing so, individuals can build resilience and achieve success.
- Be open to new experiences and challenges: Consider taking on new projects or trying new things to build resilience and achieve success.
- Develop coping strategies: Consider developing coping strategies, such as meditation or exercise, to manage stress and anxiety.
- Stay calm and focused: Consider staying calm and focused, even in the face of change or uncertainty, to build resilience and achieve success.
Sarah Snook’s Personal Reflection on Preparation and Resilience
Sarah Snook’s preparation for her role in The Picture of Dorian Gray is a testament to the importance of thorough preparation and resilience. By embracing change and building resilience, Snook has been able to take on this demanding role and achieve success.
Snook’s approach to preparation is a valuable lesson for anyone looking to achieve success. By being open to new experiences and challenges, and by developing coping strategies to manage stress and anxiety, individuals can build resilience and achieve their goals.
Conclusion
In the article “Succession” star Sarah Snook took a page out of Taylor Swift’s tour prep to get ready for her next role – Business Insider, we explore the unconventional methods that have become the hallmark of Sarah Snook’s preparation for her upcoming projects. By leveraging Taylor Swift’s rigorous tour preparation techniques, Snook has developed a unique approach to character development and performance. The article highlights how Snook’s method involves immersing herself in the world of her characters, creating a personalized playlist of music that resonates with their emotions, and even undergoing physical transformations to fully embody the role. This unorthodox approach has yielded impressive results, as evident from her critically acclaimed performances in “Succession” and other projects.
The significance of Snook’s approach lies in its departure from traditional acting techniques. By drawing inspiration from the music industry, Snook has demonstrated that creativity and innovation can be applied to various fields, including acting. This fusion of art forms has the potential to revolutionize the way actors prepare for roles and push the boundaries of character development. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how Snook’s approach influences other actors and writers. The implications of this trend are far-reaching, as it may lead to more authentic and nuanced performances on screen.