Fresh from studying acting at New York's Neighborhood Playhouse, Alison Titulaer put the training straight into practice for the controversial play Oleanna. The two-character play is about the power struggle between a university professor and a female student who accuses him of sexual harassment.

"My time in the States gave me a more confident and positive attitude towards the struggle it can be to be an actor, which has helped me through some of the challenges with Oleanna, and should help carry me through the season."

The Opportune Productions revival of David Mamet's Oleanna is at Auckland's Musgrove Theatre until October 4.Fresh from studying acting at New York's Neighborhood Playhouse, Alison Titulaer put the training straight into practice for the controversial play Oleanna. The two-character play is about the power struggle between a university professor and a female student who accuses him of sexual harassment.

"My time in the States gave me a more confident and positive attitude towards the struggle it can be to be an actor, which has helped me through some of the challenges with Oleanna, and should help carry me through the season."

The Opportune Productions revival of David Mamet's Oleanna is at Auckland's Musgrove Theatre until October 4.During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
I'm a bit of a night owl. Probably between about 10pm - 1am.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
I know it sounds cliche, but being "in the moment". When you really connect with your fellow actor and everything around you, the camera and crew, or the audience, disappear, and it's just you and them, really living truthfully in the imaginary circumstance.

How does your environment affect your work?
If I'm working as an actor then my environment hugely affects my work, be it the constraints of a film set and camera frame, or the vibe of the audience when on stage. If I'm working at home wearing my producers hat, then the temperature of our cold villa affects my work!

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
I'm definitely a details person.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
Focus on the positive.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
A short film I made last year, called "Blessed Are They". I was involved as a co-writer, co-producer, and actor, so it was rewarding to contribute to the project from start to finish (except the editing), and it was a nice little piece.

Why did you travel to Neighborhood Playhouse in New York to study?
Because I wanted to improve my skills as an actor and have the experience of studying at a renowned drama school over seas.

What were the challenges and rewards?
The biggest challenge was getting the funds for the tuition fees and living in New York. However the experience of studying at the Playhouse was incredibly rewarding. My tutors were amazing, and I learnt a lot from them.

How did you fund your trip?
I saved about half the money myself, and got the other half through sponsorship from friends and family. Everyone was very generous and supportive of this opportunity for me.

Do you think it is important for kiwi actors to travel abroad to further their studies? Why?
If someone has the opportunity and means to study overseas, not only actors but in any field, they should definitely do it. I think it is invaluable. It broadens your horizons so much, and you get to learn from some of the world's top people in your field. It is very rewarding both to the individual, and to the people who learn from them bringing their experience back home.

Would you travel abroad to study again, and if so, where would you go?
Yes, if I could, I definitely would. I would love to study at a theatre school in London over a summer.

You are also a director of Opportune Productions - did the Playhouse offer any wisdom about running a production company?
No, the focus was on the individual as a actor, not as an all round producer/writer/publicist/accountant.... They should have a few business classes at drama school, for the reality is you have to know that side of things to produce your own work.

You are about to take on your first lead role in a professional production, Carol from David Mammet's controversial play, Oleanna. How has your time in New York prepared you for this?
My study at the Playhouse highlighted some key acting principles for me that I will hopefully always remember to bring into my work, including Oleanna. My time in the States gave me a more confident and positive attitude towards the struggle in can be to be an actor, which has helped me through some of the challenges with Oleanna, and should help carry me through the season.

Who or what has inspired you recently?
My acting tutor from the Playhouse, Richard Pinter. He has such a wealth of insight into acting, having spent years at the side of Sanford Meisner, and having taught at the Playhouse for over 30 years. He also has a tremendously positive and helpful outlook on life, which is key to the survival and development of his students not only as actors, but as people.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
I'd probably be a secondary school English teacher. Or a nutritionist or naturopath. Or an architect. One of the four! Whatever it was it would be easier than an actor's path!

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
I don't have a place that is always with me, but people. My family, particularly my Oma and Opa. And my Creator.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
The best way is lying back in a private place, like in your bedroom, or in a hidden part of a park. Then you can relax and soak in the sounds, and let them take you on whatever emotional path they evoke. However I seldom get the time to do this, and usually listen to music while I'm walking somewhere, in a hurry!

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
A hammock, to lie in and listen to music.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
I'm not sure if this was given to me, but I find putting things into perspective works. In the bigger picture of your life, is it the end of the world if such and such happens or doesn't work out? Also I take a moment to lie down, take some deep breaths, and look practically at the cause of the stress. What can I do to solve/help/minimise the situation. I try and take control of things and take action where I can, rather than loosing control by worrying about it. And then sometimes I just go to sleep, because my stress is often related to being over tired, and things are always so much better the next day!

What's great about today?
It is sunny, I am alive and healthy, supported by loved ones, and I am doing what I love. I have succeeded in producing my play.

What's your big idea for 2008?
My big idea for 2008 was to study at the Neighborhood Playhouse, which I did, and to put on Oleanna, which I have also now done. It's been a pretty big year.
If you meant what's my big idea for 2009 then it's to put on our next play, which we're working on already (and which I'm very excited about), to make a short film I've been cultivating, to write the first draft of the feature film I've had circulating round my head, to go back to New York and LA for a visit, and to Vancouver for an extended period of time.

OLEANNA by David Mamet
Starring: Jim McLarty and Alison Titulaer
Writer: David Mamet
Direction: Michael Lawrence
Designers: Bronwyn Brent (set), Yee Yang (Square) Lee (lighting)
When: 17th Sep - Oct 4 8pm, except 4pm Sunday. No shows Monday.
Where: Musgrove Studio, Auckland University Campus, 8 Alfred St.
Tickets: $20 students and groups of 8 plus / $30 adult.
Bookings: Maidment Theatre box office on 09 308 2383

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