Ivona Tomiek, our talented actress and client, has been awarded one of the prestigious Atlantic scholarships for Resident Artists in New York City. This scholarship allows artists to work closely with the Atlantic Theater Company, known for its innovative and boundary-pushing performances. Ivona participated in the program, deepening her craft through intensive workshops, rehearsals, and creative collaborations.

Interview Questions About the Scholarship and NYC Experience:

• Can you tell us how this opportunity came about and what it means for you as an actress?

I am always searching for new ways to grow as a performer and to hone my craft. I am definitely not one of those who think your training as an actor is done after drama school! Lately, I worked on a few US projects, but as I trained in London, I really wanted to compare the UK and US systems further. I googled US theatre residencies and scholarships, and I found the Atlantic one by pure chance. I applied because of the scholarship possibility; it was the only program I applied to and I really ended up getting it! It must have been destined.

• What was your initial reaction when you found out you received the Atlantic scholarship, and how did you prepare for the program in NYC?

Honestly – I was surprised! I really did not expect it, especially since I thought my last interview did not go very well (there were several phases in the auditioning process). I notified my best friends as few of them live in New York, and only then, I became fully aware of the scale of things! They got so excited and really proud as it is a prestigious institution!

In terms of preparation; I prepared thoroughly, as I would for any project. I am a big nerd and perfectionist (lol), so I studied in detail all the materials before boarding the plane to NYC. However, I did not know which plays I would be working on, as that was agreed upon after the introductory week at Atlantic, so I just tried to be in my best shape mentally and physically and be fully prepared for all the possible challenges coming my way. I promised myself that I would throw myself into it fully and get the most out of this wonderful opportunity. It ended up being life-changing, personally and professionally, which I also did not expect. I expected to have a great time, but I was mind-blown and a new person by the end.

• Can you tell us more about your experience working with the Atlantic Theater Company this summer? What were some of the most valuable lessons or insights you gained?

I was made sure to know that I was born to do this. If I had any doubts left regarding this tough job, now I have none. This was a very successful year for me, but the most valuable that I got is not monetary value, but experience and endless passion. I am grateful for every person and opportunity/ job that arose from my NYC adventure. I think it is very important to mention that our local talent is good enough, we are capable of great things, although it is realistic to say we have it much harder due to the legal system, and obtaining visas for leading markets sometimes seems impossible. Language, and especially, accent, is often a barrier. But I believe there is always a way. If anyone coming from the region who has similar dreams is reading this, and wants to follow my path, I would say it is worth a try. You can only gain, not lose, and if it is for you, it won’t go by you!

• How did the program challenge you as an artist? Were there any particular workshops or collaborations that significantly impacted your approach to acting?

I would say every single day was a challenge, haha. You just cannot compare tempo and expectations in NYC to any city in the Balkans. Also, the talent pool is much bigger and you are always replaceable. What counts are your results and what you can do; and if you can do it day after day and under pressure. That’s it. I would also say Americans are used to working more and laziness/ not doing the work will not go unnoticed. But that is also true for the UK system, you just can’t go through drama school without really earning that degree and you won’t have it easy.

I was also mind-blown by the Practical Aesthetics method. I was not very familiar with it before, but it became a significant factor in my path and since then, I’ve used it on almost every project I have worked on since NYC. 

Every single workshop and networking event was valuable as the business side of the industry is extremely important in the US. You have to be a business person, not only an artist. That is so different from our industry and markets. 

• During your time in the program, did you have the opportunity to work on any specific projects or performances that you’re particularly proud of?

The play ‘Revolt. She said. Revolt again.’ by Alice Birch. An amazing piece of new writing. Theatre director Anya Saffir directed otherworldly Australian actress Kala Gare and me in it, and that memory holds a special place in my heart. I get very emotional only thinking of it! I have learned so so much from them, and would love to work with them again!! And I’d love to work on that piece again… Maybe in London one day. 😉 Who knows; we’ll see! I would also love to work in the theatre locally and in my native languages.

• How do you plan to incorporate the skills and experiences from your residency into your future projects, both in your home country and internationally?

I already talked about how the experience changed me as a performer and how it helped me to be ready for the international market, but what really sticks with me is the fact that, after our last performance, we were told that ‘this is a start, and not the end’. So I have no doubt it will lead to many beautiful projects in the future. I was already invited to several in-person auditions in New York, but I was already back in Europe working on projects so I could not attend at the time. But auditioning isn’t going away, it is important to learn that. Also, self-tapes. You need to get really good at auditioning, and that is not the same as acting. Now, I do a self-tape in less than half an hour, and I have my process of doing it (that provenly works). You can find so may classes today that tell you how to do it, but actors should find a process that works for them. You are you, you are not someone else, so I just don’t buy that someone can tell you what will work for you. You can get some good advice, but ultimately, it takes a lot of time, work and auditions to figure it out (I definitely had more than 100 auditions since turning professionally to acting, and that was only 2.5 years ago).

In my home country, things are different though. Actors are often offered roles as there are not many auditions. I was extremely lucky to be offered some international roles without auditioning recently, based on recommendations from some lovely people who believe in me, and based on my past projects, but that is a luxury. I was also offered some roles locally – I am only now working on my first project in the Croatian language, and just today I was offered a lead role in a Croatian feature – so I guess I will yet have to see what can I incorporate while working at home. The pace at home is slower, the market is much smaller, so projects take years and years to fund, and then even more years to finish. All that is a rather new experience for me.:) I am looking forward to it; being more present in my home market! I yet have to work in the theatre regionally and compare it (I worked in the HNK (National Theatre of Croatia) as a child performer, but in musicals and ballets) – so if anyone reading this is working on some interesting plays and has any offers, I am always open to hearing it.

• What advice would you give to other aspiring artists who want to apply for similar scholarships or programs?

Be yourself and work hard. Smile at ‘no-s’. Don’t take anything personally and absolutely DON’T obsess over what the others are working on. They are not You! As I already mentioned, learn the business side of things; it is showBUSINESS after all. I often see that young local actors lack general knowledge of the industry. And that’s it. But, be a good human before all. It is really as simple as that. People need to want to work with you, and the era of spoiled stars is over. Well, mostly.

• In addition to receiving the prestigious scholarship, you’re fluent in English, Slovenian, and Spanish, and you also speak multiple other languages, including Russian and Italian. How did you manage to learn all these languages, and have they helped you land roles in international projects?

Definitely! Being multilingual is not a plus, but a necessity for foreign markets. Each language you are fluent in, is a potential market. I am lucky to have a great ear for accents and languages, and I started to learn numerous languages when I was very young, which surely helped. I later acquired a university degree in languages and linguistics, too. Being a polyglot makes you stand out. I worked in over 10 languages by now; it is even hard to count them all at this point. What I find even more interesting, is that I worked in some languages I don’t even speak – casting directors, who call me in to audition frequently, believed I could nail some auditions even though I did not speak the languages requested and I still landed the roles, so I guess they were right.:)

• And finally, do you have any other plans to participate in international programs or apply for scholarships in the future?

Yes! Last year I was shortlisted for Sarajevo Talents, but at that time, I was in NYC. I was thus encouraged to re-apply. After the US, I think I am ready to attend prestigious programs and residencies locally. I would like to attend all such programs, but sadly, it is not only up to me and I know how hard it is to be among the chosen ones. We have so much talent and a big pool in the region! Programs for young actors like Sarajevo Talents or Slano Film Days are on my list of goals for the future. Also, more theatre collaborations and regional theatre!