Auditioning for MFA programs is a stressful and daunting task, but I can genuinely say that my acting coach Lisbeth Bartlett made the process enjoyable, grounding, and even artistically fulfilling. First off, Lisbeth spent countless hours with me pouring over plays and pieces before I finally chose my audition materials. Lisbeth is extraordinarily knowledgeable about the theatre canon, from Shakespeare to the most contemporary new plays. And in taking the time with me to find out what scripts and characters I connected with—in the process, getting to know me and my work intimately—Lisbeth allowed me to choose pieces that showcased not only my skills, but my whole self as an artist. In preparing those pieces with me, Lisbeth gave me the space to be playful and to explore, and to challenge myself to go beyond my old habits. This focus on the process of preparation, instead of just rushing to the finish line of a polished monologue, makes Lisbeth’s approach unique and deeper than any other audition coach out there. Once the auditions started, Lisbeth was there for me every step of the way: to break down how each audition went over the phone, to work on a piece before a callback, or just to give me a pep talk in the thick of a four-audition weekend while walking the streets of New York. Lisbeth truly goes above and beyond because she has deep passion for the work and a deep care for her students. You won’t find it anywhere else.

I also want to stress, having now begun grad school, that my work with Lisbeth was invaluable in preparing me for the actual training of my MFA program. Lisbeth pushed me to dig deeper, to throw caution to the wind and dive into the scary parts of the work, and to take ownership of my artistry when I walk into a room. That’s exactly what actor training is all about, and I first learned how to do that with Lisbeth. If you’re willing to put in the work, Lisbeth will give it back ten fold—so if you’re serious about preparing for your auditions, there’s nobody better out in the business.