Actor Sarah Swire is turning character prompts from her followers into fun Instagram story skits

In our self-shot video series COVID Residencies, we're checking out how artists are adapting their practices in isolation, whether it's diving into different processes or getting lost in their sketchbooks.

Throughout this pandemic, many visual artists have been able to adapt their art practices with minor consequences. But for certain performing artists, particularly actors, it's been a little more challenging. Whether it's theatre or film productions, they both usually rely on large groups of people to come together to work toward a final product.

Actor Sarah Swire elaborates: "My line of work has changed drastically because the industry shut down and it's a business of people — of pretending to be people, hiring people, of people telling other people's stories. And being around people right now is illegal...so...[wholesome shrug]"

She wanted to keep her chops sharpened, so she reached out to her Instagram community to send her character prompts (a one-line character description). From there, she turns these prompts into Instagram story skits. "I like work that's inclusive. I like when the lines are blurred between performer and audience, when the traditional reference that's in place kinda falls away, and the internet and Instagram is a wonderful platform for that."

In the video above, check out five of her skits and learn more about this enthusiastic darling.

Some of Swire's notable screen acting work include an outrageous zombie musical called Anna and the Apocalypse (available on Netflix), Murdoch Mysteries (available on CBC Gem) and a very lovely short film A Women's Block about the struggles of mental illness (available on Vimeo). Follow more of her sketches here and keep a lookout for the stories we're bringing you from other artists in isolation as part of COVID Residencies. Stay safe, friends!

CBC Arts understands that this is an incredibly difficult time for artists and arts organizations across this country. We will do our best to provide valuable information, share inspiring stories of communities rising up and make us all feel as (virtually) connected as possible as we get through this together. If there's something you think we should be talking about, let us know by emailing us at cbcarts@cbc.ca. See more of our COVID-related coverage here.