The Emmy-winning actress shares how she drew from Swift’s Eras Tour regimen to maintain peak performance while starring in the demanding Broadway play.
Sarah Snook has always been known for her commanding performances, whether on Succession or on stage. But when the actress, who’s currently making her Broadway debut in The Picture of Dorian Gray, needed to prepare for the grueling task of portraying 26 different characters, she turned to an unexpected source of inspiration: pop icon Taylor Swift.
Snook, 37, spoke candidly with The New Yorker about the intense physical demands of her Broadway role, in which she plays the title character of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, a man who trades his soul for eternal youth. The show, which previously ran in London’s West End, requires Snook to tap into a level of physical endurance that she describes as “athletic.”
“I heard Taylor Swift does this workout routine where she runs on a treadmill while singing her full setlist to prepare for her Eras Tour,” Snook shared. “I thought, ‘That’s a genius idea. I’m going to do that.’”
Adopting Swift’s Regimen for Broadway’s Demands
Much like Swift, who spent months preparing for her Eras Tour by running on a treadmill during rehearsals, Snook has found a way to replicate Swift’s approach to maintain her stamina. Swift’s own preparation was rigorous, as she ran at different paces according to the tempo of the songs, pushing herself physically to prepare for the energy-draining marathon that is her three-hour concert set.
For Snook, this includes no alcohol, no caffeine, and prioritizing sleep—elements that Swift herself swears by to maintain her voice and energy during the Eras Tour. Snook also adds in treadmill work, where she practices her lines while walking at pace, ensuring that she can physically handle the back-to-back demands of the stage.
“I do my lines at pace on a treadmill,” Snook explained. “It’s definitely a cardio workout, and I think it’s helping me prepare.”
Motherhood and Health: A Balancing Act
Aside from fitness, Snook’s transition to Broadway also required her to navigate the life-changing experience of becoming a mother. She welcomed her daughter in May 2023, just a few months before stepping into the role of Dorian Gray. In an interview, Snook reflected on how becoming a new mom made her more disciplined about her health.
With a baby at home, Snook explained that her health routine had to adapt to the new challenges of motherhood. “You need to value sleep. You need to keep your nutrition up because you’re breastfeeding,” she said, acknowledging that the demands of being a new mom kept her from indulging in unhealthy habits. “Otherwise, it’s very easy to go, ‘Had a big night tonight. Yeah, I’ll have a drink.’ But with a baby, you can’t do that.”
Snook credits her healthy routine and newfound focus on self-care for allowing her to take on such a physically and mentally demanding role. She acknowledged that having a newborn led her to prioritize her health in a way she never had before. “Having a baby kept me healthy for doing this marathon,” she added.
A Career Milestone and a New Challenge
Snook’s Broadway debut in The Picture of Dorian Gray is a career milestone, but it came with its own set of challenges. She signed on to the project when her daughter was just six months old, a decision she humorously admitted her husband, Dave Lawson, would have advised against had he known what was involved.
“He’s already got a kid. He knew how hard it was going to be,” Snook joked. “Ignorance is bliss. You go, ‘Oh, this will be fine.’”
Despite the hurdles, Snook expressed excitement about her role. “It’s a lot of characters to juggle,” she said, referring to the challenge of playing 26 roles, including the titular Dorian Gray. “But it’s been incredibly fulfilling. I’m ready for the challenge.”
As she continues her Broadway run, Snook’s dedication to her craft—and her inspiration from one of pop music’s biggest stars—proves that even the toughest roles require not just talent but tremendous physical and mental preparation.
From the Small Screen to the Stage
While fans are used to seeing Snook play the complex and layered character of Shiv Roy on Succession, her Broadway performance in The Picture of Dorian Gray marks a bold step into a completely new arena. The stage performance, which earned Snook an Olivier Award in London, has now made its way to Broadway, and audiences are eager to see how she tackles this transformative role in the heart of New York City.
As Snook continues to impress audiences with her multifaceted acting skills, her journey from Hollywood to Broadway—and the lessons she’s learned from Taylor Swift—remind us all that success in any field, whether it’s acting or performing, requires discipline, focus, and a healthy approach to both mind and body.
