Embracing Your Journey

When Austen Danielle Bohmer steps onto the stage as Glinda in the national tour of Wicked, she brings with her a wealth of experiences and a lifetime of dedicated hard work. During her visit to Marlborough on December 13, 2024 for a Pushing Perspectives lunchtime event, she shared profound insights about artistic growth, self-discovery, and navigating artistic career paths that resonated deeply with students who are aspiring performers.

A classically trained actor who graduated from Webster Conservatory, Ms. Bohmer’s journey has been anything but traditional. She emphasized the importance of allowing oneself to wander and explore, challenging the notion that success follows a predetermined path. “If you don’t know what your dream is, the worst thing you can do is feel shame about not knowing,” she advised students, encouraging them to embrace curiosity and follow the small sparks of excitement that emerge.

Ms. Bohmer’s approach to her craft is deeply intentional and introspective. She works with her voice teacher, acting teacher, movement coaches, and more in building a unique method that is as meditative as it is technical. This approach reflects her broader philosophy of staying true to oneself, especially in an industry that often demands conformity. Recognizing the pressures of social media and external expectations Ms. Bohmer advised students to  “Get off your phone. The world in front of you is rich and juicy.” She encouraged the young artists to train their attention, to sit quietly, and to be open to the subtle inspirations that surround them. 

Rejection, a constant companion in the performing arts, is another topic Ms. Bohmer addressed with compassion. She reframed rejection not as failure, but as redirection. “What you are supposed to do, you will get to do,” she explained. “If you didn’t get into that school or land that role then that wasn’t the right thing for you in this moment in time.” Her own journey—from working as a nanny and yoga instructor to landing a dream role—is a testament to persistence and believing in one’s unique path. “The low of those moments of rejection have to be there in order for there to be a euphoric moment when you get to declare loudly ‘I’m playing Glinda in Wicked!’ This experience doesn’t feel the way that it does without its polar opposite on the other side.”

Beyond her work onstage, Ms. Bohmer is passionate about community-building theater through Arts Ignite, an organization that uses performance as a tool for connection and understanding. This commitment reflects her belief that art is about more than personal success—it is about creating meaningful experiences and empathy.

To students feeling uncertain about their futures, Ms. Bohmer offered simple but powerful advice: follow what excites you, be patient with yourself, and understand that your path will unfold in unexpected ways. “Allow yourself to geek out about whatever excites you in this moment,” she said. Ms. Bohmer’s lessons transcended a talk about performing—it was a masterclass in embracing life’s uncertainties, staying true to yourself, and finding joy in the journey of self-discovery.