AYÇA VARLIER

When I saw in the news about you that you had a masters degree from the Harvard University, I paused a little. It must be an important stage in your education?
After finishing high school in the USA, I attended to the conservatory of Harford University, Hartt School. And I made a decision in my fourth year in college: OK I studied musical theater but if I was to be an actor in the US, I needed to push further and have a better English with no hint of a foreign accent. I decided to have a master's degree since I needed a more intense training program in acting. I even stayed there one year longer and took extra courses. I started to study really hard. I had three options for a master's degree: Yale, Harvard or NYU Tisch. I decided to go back to Turkey if I was not accepted. But my grade average was very good and a fantastic adventure started. I was invited to the auditions of all of these three schools.
 
Why did you want to have an education at Harvard University?
The reason why I wanted to study there was that they accepted international students. And they had Russian teachers. I chose Harvard because their education was based on the Stanislavski's system. I was thrilled to know that I would have classes with experienced European directors and choreographers in addition to the teachers from the Stanislavski's system. The theater training program consisted of two years at Harvard, four months in Moscow and one month in Italy.  
 
In the competitive examinations, how many jurymen were there?
There were three jurymen. One of them was Roman Kozak. Then he became our class teacher. The others were Nancy Houfek and the dean of the Harvard School of Drama.

Do you remember what they asked?
They asked, “ Why did you choose us? ”.
 
What was your answer?
I said that I was very excited to be among international students and educators.
 
What is the technique that is aimed to be taught in Harvard?
Many techniques were taught.
 
Mainly...
A person, as a whole is an instrument.  First you have to know yourself, from head to toe. The more you know yourself, inside and out and make peace with yourself, the more correct methods you can find to perform. Our teachers never said, "This method is correct, you should do it this way." They wanted us to create our own system based on four or five system they taught.
 
I believe, you are one of those who love education?
I am literally hooked on education! I had very intensive education until I was 27. I spent my summer months in courses in London. I had courses on various subjects at NYU Tisch. I tried to support myself with education as much as possible. And my family has always been very supportive in this. I read, watched, observed and travelled around the world. This desire will never end because this is my life style. I have always been an active person and sports have always played an important role along with art in my life. As I have grown older, and understood myself better, yoga entered into my life. In 2009 I went to Costa Rica for a month on a yoga course. I have adopted a completely different perspective since I was introduced to yoga. Professional actors would know, we use self observation-meditation techniques as well as body movements. These techniques prepared me for yoga. With the yoga training, such information started to transform in me. Then what happened? Along with yoga, I have also grown an interest in water sports. I have decided that I should take care of my body as much as I do my soul. I love what I do. So I want to be in whatever that can provide food for my body and soul and continue to nurture myself.
 
Then how do you recharge yourself as an actor in this busy schedule?
By sleeping! When I am sleeping, I turn off the switch. And when I wake up, I am regenerated.

Is discovering yourself important for you?
Always… That wish never ends. Discovery! I discover myself over and over with every person I meet. In all my relationships… This will be a colleague, a boyfriend or Mevlüt in the market. The most important portal for someone to discover herself is through the relation she has with a new person.

What do you look for in a person?
Naturality! Sincerity and honesty
 
Are you a sentimental person?
Very much...
 
Is there any method to protect yourself being such sentimental?
I don't know, but I somehow protect myself. I have learned to keep a distance with people over the years. So many times I just look at a blank wall. There are times when I do not want to hear a noise and be with my inner self, some sort of meditation. That solitude is good for me. My main therapy is sports. Then again, since I am a performing artist, I can self-heal.
 
With each character you act, you penetrate into somebody's story and embody that character. What excites you the most in this process?
A character/role I have never performed! The most fun part of this process is to create the character. Especially on stage, I prefer this. You make countless of mistakes when creating a role. Put those mistakes aside, the rights gradually reveal themselves. The body finds them. Rehearsals are like child labor. You argue with the director, playwright and try to convince them. And on the first night you give birth to a child. Then you raise the child over the years. Like I did in the play "Leyla'nın Evi (Leyla's House)" ... Now the play is eight years old! and "Fosforlu Cevriye" is two years old...
 
What would you do if the character was someone you had no experience about?
I love to do research. I find a person like the character I need to play. I speak with him or her, record the details. I watch movies and read.
 
So you build on the character...
Exactly. In the rehearsal process, I dream about the character and I portray him or her, I write his or her biography, take notes. I compile when I create. Actually, I like to do mistakes when I am working. I never fear. I try to consume all my mistakes until the character comes out because I would not have that chance on the stage.
 
Is theater a more regenerative work?
Compared to what?
 
Compared to films...
No, I believe films are too. Both have completely different feelings.
 
Then we could say theater?
You play the same role over and over again on stage but for example I have been performing in the play, Leyla'nın Evi for eight years but never got tired of it. Because every time there is a completely different energy since the audience is different. There are some millimetric balances. Each time you play a role you know but you can add something to it with the energy of the audience. Every time you act the play, the invisible screen between the audience and the player becomes even more transparent. Actually, it is not immediately possible to affect the audience emotionally, it needs some time. If you want to play really and effectively, you need to wait for the thirtieth performance or so.
 
Maturing time for the play...
Yes. Until the twentieth performance, it is a bit chaotic. If there are any sections that need to be shortened, these are done. Plays change and transform. Some plays in Broadway have their gala night one year after their premiere. They just wait for the play to mature within that one year.
 
Speaking of Broadway... You also acted during your time at Harvard, didn't you?
I performed professionally at Harvard but then since I couldn't get a work visa I had to go back to Turkey after 9/11 although I had many job offers. This is an unfulfilled desire for me.
 
Do you have any heroes or role models?
Yes! Meryl Streep is my biggest idol. I see her as a goddess.
 
What makes you idolize her?
First of all, she is a terrific actor. Her presence, family life; she got married at a young age, had four kids and still had a tremendous career. She is a singer, a dancer, can mold into any character; on the other hand she is a healthy person with presence and inner peace.  Yes, she is my biggest idol!
 
Do you use Yes or No more in your life?
Both of them
 
Theater...
It is a new experience every time with new audience. Different cities, countries… An endless enthusiasm.
 
Cinema?
It is a momentary enthusiasm. When you make a film, it ends. And also when you watch it, it ends, too.
 
TV series?
I don’t play in every TV series. I like to play in a TV series when I miss to do it.
 
What is in the top among the factors that you are picky about your job?  
The role.
 
What do you look for in a role?
A new character. I have managed to do this more or less so far. I have played similar roles but I try to choose with care.  
 
Has there been any character that had an influence on you?
I was deeply affected by the role, Pınar in the TV series Gümüş (Silver). I really loved her. Zeytin Tepesi (Olive Hill) is a mini series with seven episodes buy my role there was fabulous. Everyone still keeps mentioning me that role.
 
And any role that you could not embrace?
Bahar, the teacher in the TV series, Behzat Ç. It was a beautiful experience. And we discussed a lot with the producers and the writers afterwards. But, the role could not happen, be written, created! Therefore I was dragging my feet going to the set. That character could not develop, and stayed one dimensional.
 
What is your definition of a good role?
For me a "female" role is a good role. I am not talking about gender. What I mean is that the role should be deep, multi-layered and complex. I try to choose the roles that transform along the way. Then this becomes a journey.
 
What is the definition of a good actor for you?
Someone who can successfully complete the introduction, development and conclusion stages... A good actor should be well prepared for the role. Know ethics in this business, know everything about his/her role, and perform hundred percent without being capricious. The conditions in Turkey are very rough. And therefore I can say that a good actor is someone who knows how to be a team member and never compromise team spirit, be it on stage or in films.  He/she should be someone who knows how to complete. A bad actor would be exposed easily on stage.  This is difficult to understand on screen. The actor does not have to be very talented; he/she can be directed so well that you cannot tell.
 
Do you think arena for players is theatre?
Yeah. So many talented actors and actress around the world have theatre education.
 
What about singing…
It is an amazing therapy! I have an album called “Elif” which I can define it as in alternative pop genre.
 
You are more popular for your acting jobs...
The reason for this that I have been in several TV series.
 
You have become more popular and famous with TV series. Does this bother you?
No I am not a very popular person. I mean, not like Madonna!  But I felt that way when I was in Dubai. (Laughters) But I feel famous when I leave the theater after a play. It is an indescribable feeling to see the look in the people's eyes waiting for you to leave the theater. It's a tremendous happiness.
 
What are your dreams in the long run?
I want to go international. I have ten years of international experience and I cannot let this experience stay in the past. I have vast experience and knowledge that also provided a basis for my career in Turkey. I also want to work abroad in these areas in the coming years. I want to outreach.
 
The biggest asset of an actor is her body.... Does aging frighten you?
I never think about aging. My mother is 75 years old but she looks not a day older than 55. My father is the same. I have their genes. All I think of is " what can I do more for myself" . My focus is not getting old, on the contrary, I concentrate on staying young.
 
How would you describe yourself in one word…
Naive.