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Alumni spotlight: Bethany Novotny ’24

In the spring of 2024, Bethany Novotny graduated from Auburn University Theatre and Dance where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre with a minor in business.

During her time at Auburn, Bethany immersed herself in a multitude of creative outlets and leadership positions, serving as president of AU Players, a member of the AUTD marketing team and an athletic student tutor. She also was on the leadership team for Mosaic Theatre Company, an ensemble of Liberal Arts students dedicated to promoting open dialogue around urgent social issues through original devised pieces.

Now, Bethany is a professional actress based in New York City. Her most recent project was “Frozen” at the Phoenix Theatre Company, where she worked as a dance swing covering four different tracks. Between shows, Bethany found time to sit down and have a conversation about her time at Auburn and how it has shaped the way she pursues her career.

What does a typical day in your life look like?

“Chaos,” Bethany laughs. “It’s a lot of auditioning. I try to audition at least two times a week, sometimes it’s more. I also work three jobs in New York and luckily, they’re all very nice to schedule around so that helps. It’s a lot of, if I’m not working, I’m auditioning, and if I’m not working, I’m auditioning. Every once in a while, I’ll schedule a day off. I have so many friends up here too – and so many Auburn people – so it’s also having a lot of fun!”

What is something you learned in a class that you use most in your career?

“I mean a lot of it. Take BFA Studio for example, the work you do prepping for that is really nice because when you’re in a production, usually the name of the game is to get something up as quick as possible, so all the work you get to do in a school show or in studio, you don't actually get to do in a normal production. That’s all your responsibility. The dedicated classes for text analysis and scene analysis you then have to take that and now do that on your own.”

What is the most valuable lesson you learned at Auburn?

“One thing Mosaic and I think senior capstone touches on that is really helpful is just knowing who you are as an artist. Sometimes there isn’t commercial work for you to do,” Bethany said. “Something Auburn taught me was what I’m passionate about as an artist, and so now when I’m not in a show, I can still be an artist by creating my own art. Mosaic and Senior Capstone definitely had an impact.”

Bethany adds how Auburn also gave her a new admiration for all aspects of production.

“You can tell professionals who have never been on technical sides from people who have because of the level of respect they carry for the people they work with. I’m thankful that Auburn does that.”

What is your favorite job to date?

“I love all of them for different reasons but two come to mind. One of them was ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at Arizona Broadway Theatre. That project is so special to me because of the people involved in it. It really does make or break a show who is involved in it because theatre is all about connection, and you always want to like the people you’re working with. When there is a community of people who are so kind and supportive it’s like, okay, theatre is about human connection. I am connecting with you every single day on stage and I connect with you off the stage and it just creates something special.

“I also did ‘Pretty Woman’ at the Gateway Playhouse in Long Island. That one was really cool because it was the regional premiere for a show. It was the last time that there can be a ‘first’ for a show and getting to touch the updated script and be like okay, how do we adapt what’s only been done on Broadway and tour? There’s not necessarily a set way that is expected of the show because it hasn’t really been done. It was the first job I booked after moving to New York, so you know, that’s always special.”

Bethany’s successful career and her positive attitude toward the business are evidence of Auburn University’s Theatre and Dance’s dedication to producing creative, collaborative and passionate artists. We hope that Auburn’s strong sense of community, commitment to hard work and compassion stays with her throughout her career, and we are immensely proud of the work she’s done. War Eagle!

Tags: Theatre and Dance Alumni