Jill Novick has accepted the position of Creative Director of Theater for the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (AVPA).
AVPA is an after school arts program that encompasses music, dance, film, art, and theater at Culver City High School. They are known for putting on the high schools Fall and Spring productions.
Novick grew up with a passion for acting. She attended Mamaroneck High School in Mamaroneck, New York, where she took part in their Performing Art Curriculum Experience (PACE), which she likened to AVPA.
After high school Novick attended NYU Tisch School of the Arts, but left to pursue a career in acting.
“The big job,” Novick said, “that got me recognized was doing a year on Beverly Hills 90210. That gave me a taste of what it’s like to be recognized on the streets and people wanting your autograph. It’s very easy to get used to that. I don’t really miss that part of acting though. I miss the work, but I get joy out of seeing my students do it now.”
When Novick decided to stop acting professionally she knew she wanted to go back to school and become a teacher.
“I wanted to have more of an impact,” Novick said. “When I decided to stop acting I decided I wanted to do what my teachers did to inspire me. This sort of job, teaching and being involved in a program like AVPA, was exactly my goal.”
Novick’s love for acting now incorporates a passion for teaching. Though this fall will only be the start of her second year at Culver City High School, she has already made an impact, and her students on her.
“My favorite part of being a teacher is just everything,” Novick said. “Seeing kids have breakthroughs, watching them be a part of something they’re proud of, becoming a family. Really I just love the whole learning process and process of putting a production together from beginning to end.”
With a solid background in acting Novick has some wise advice, for her students or anyone with a passion for acting.
“Do it because you love it,” said Novick, “and because you can’t imagine doing anything else. Don’t do it because you want to be famous or make a lot of money. You have to extremely dedicated and extremely tough skinned. You have to be able to take rejection constantly and still go go go for your dreams.”
She also had some words on nerves and how to keep them under control, while acting, or working.
“First and foremost being prepared really helps,” said Novick, “whether it’s teaching or performing on stage, because teaching is a lot like performing: you’ve got an audience and you’ve got to be prepared.
“Also loving what you do. There is always going to be a little bit of butterflies, and that’s a good thing. If there aren’t any then I’d be concerned because that’s a little bit of adrenaline and that’s good for you, as a performer or as a teacher, it keeps you on your toes. If you’re really prepared then all you need is that little bit of butterflies.”
Whether she is acting, directing, teaching, or some combination of the three Novick does everything with enthusiasm.
“For my senior quote in high school,” said Novick, “I was such the actress back then, I used a quote by Konstantin Stanislavsky. And the quote was, ‘You may play well or you may play badly, but the important thing is that you played truly.’ And I would say I still stand by that.”
