‘Venus In Fur’ Star Nina Arianda Details Her Audition Process for Her Breakthrough Role

Many would assume that Nina Arianda, the 27-year-old actress who stars in David Ives‘ latest play Venus In Fur, might not realize how lucky she is to not only star in a play written by famed playwright Ives but to be earning such rave reviews for her part. 

But once you understand her preparation process for her audition as she outlined for the Los Angeles Times, you’d understand that Arianda truly understands the importance of the role.

Arianda was first contacted about the role and its mass audition process by her agent at the end of her term at NYU Acting Graduate School and knew she needed to play Vanda not only because she loved the role… but because she needed a job! 

She describes her action as, “I instantly fell in love with it.  I was hooked to this woman from ‘go’ — and I was also very hungry and kind of dying to work.” 

The only problem?  Arianda had only ten days to prepare for the audition.  Seeing that as the kiss of death, Arianda decided to see how far she could take it, explaining, “I knew I wasn’t going to get the part, but I loved Vanda so much that I figured I have this audition coming up in about a week and a half, I can either get all crazy competitive about it or I can just say, ‘You have a couple more days with her’ and make the best of it.”  Read more

Watch: Nina Arianda and Hugh Dancy in a clip from Broadway’s ‘Venus in Fur’

Venus in Fur opened at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on Tuesday and the reviews have been incredible.

The show, about a young actress who is determined to land the lead role in a playwrights new play, stars Nina Arianda and Hugh Dancy and is directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie.

The New York Times Charles Isherwood called Arianda’s performance a “must-see” and that her she “burns so brightly you can almost feel the heat on your face.”

Check out the short clip from the show below. I can’t wait to see this!

The show has a limited run and will close December 18th. Click here for tickets.
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