A Canadian Actress in New York

I really wanted to speak about this event because I found that after I auditioned I wanted to read about other people’s auditions, but I couldn’t find any information. So please, let me tell you a little bit about my experience of applying to the NYU Tisch MFA Acting Program. 

Firstly, I always wanted to apply to NYU since I was a teenager and I had decided that I wanted to be an actress. I didn’t have the balls to apply back when I was graduating from high school so I got my BA degree from the University of Toronto, in Drama and English double major.

Skip ahead. I’ve been working professionally in Canada, I need a change, I’m getting married, I move to New York City, and I begin to really experience the thrill and excitement of opportunity. After spending one year in New York, auditioning, and otherwise learning the ropes, I come to the powerful understanding that if I want to be an actress, I will need to learn. 

My first thought was that I would pursue an MFA, although I also understood that there are many opportunities to study acting at other certificate-granting institutions.  As my first challenge, I applied to NYU’s MFA Acting Program in December 2011, with the intention of auditioning in New York on January 20, 2012. 

Once I clicked the “Submit” button on my application, immediately everything changed. I was reading plays, and finding monologues. I hired an acting coach, and signed up for a six week monologue course with Karen Kohlhaas at the Atlantic Theater Co. I worked tirelessly every single day learning, drilling, rehearsing, and working with scene partners or my coach on my monologues. 

When January 20, 2012 came around, I was ready. And nervous. And excited.

I had booked the first audition on the first day of auditions. I arrived at 8:45am, fifteen minutes before my expected audition time. I entered a room of about fourteen people, all of whom were also waiting to audition. They looked anxious and nervous, some more calm, some less calm. 

The room was split up into two groups, Group A and Group B. Each person was called in individually, first to warm up for 5- 7 minutes in a practice room, and then from there you would be called in to the preliminary audition.

I did not get seen until 10:30am. I admit it’s hard to sit for an hour and half with all that excitement and adrenaline pulsing through your veins. When called, I spent my 5-7 minutes in the practice room, and then was called in to the audition. I was announced to the panel by a lovely Alumna, who opened and closed the door for me. 

I walked in with a genuinely happy smile on my face, allowed the panel to lead the audition, and when asked, stated the character, title, and author of my four monologues (except for Shakespeare, because it seems silly to name the playwright to a play like “Cymbeline”). The panelists were two friendly women: the Alexander teacher of the program, and an Alumna. They asked me to perform two of my favourite monologues, and so I stated their title, and playwright (except in the case of Shakespeare, only citing the character and play), and then took a moment and began.

I did the monologues back to back with a transition. 

After the audition you had to wait another hour in the waiting room to see if you were to be called back for a second audition that day in front of the Department Heads (the second round). My name, unfortunately, was not called, and so I packed up and went home.

Although the monitor assured the room of hopefuls that it doesn’t mean anything if you were not called for a same-day callbacks, I think it is fair to assume that only those continuing on in the process were chosen to audition in front of the Department Heads.

I was disappointed, yes, but also quite content with the fact that I was ready and happy to perform four monologues and a song, and that I had worked consistently for two weeks on getting in shape for the audition. I did it! I did something scary, and that is certainly worth feeling good about. 

In summary, I think the most exciting thing about the audition is that I did it. I proved to myself that I was one of the brave 1000 people vying for a spot of twelve, in one of the most prestigious programs in the world, and shared myself with a panel of the world’s best performers and teachers in the most honest way I could. I may not be the one they chose this time, but I was brave enough to try! And that bravery means that I also have the bravery to do other incredible things!

Also, there is no expiration date or degree that quantifies my value. I am so happy to realize that since January 1, 2012, I was working on acting every day, and that it is now a habit! I am in a life-long journey to be more honest and authentic as an actress, and person!! Speaking of, I can’t act if I don’t have a life. I love the fact that my friends, my husband, my hobbies, and other interests (beyond the world of acting) make up the tapestry of my experience to call upon when I am acting. That’s such a wonderful thought in itself!! It’s necessary to have a life in order to be a great actress!! And I have a life and will continue to make that richer and more fun!!

So, in summary I didn’t get in, and that’s okay. I’m taking classes and I wanted to learn, so this seems logical! It’s only Jan 22, and I had rehearsal today for class. Just because the audition is over, does not mean that my practicing is over. I’ve got a long way to go, and I’m excited to be on this path!

If you are auditioning for the MFA Program at NYU, Break a leg!! If you have any questions that I could help you with, go to my website, www.miranda-plant.com and shoot me a message. I’d be happy to provide you with any more details. Theatre is a collaborative process, so I hope my experience and explanation can be of use to you! :)