Meet an MFA: Allen Miller III

From now until the end of the school year, we will be introducing and celebrating our graduating MFAs, looking back on the work they've done during their time here, and sharing their reflections and wisdom as they head off into the professional world. Our series continues with graduating PATP actor Allen Miller III!

What do you know now that you didn’t know when you started this program?
When you really want something and you really put it out there in the universe that you really really want it, and you have a clear idea of what you want, things will start to happen in your life. Out of the 10,000 things that I've realized, that's probably the most powerful thing. Be clear about what you want. And that's true on stage, too. If you're clear about what you want, whether you get it or not, magic will happen.

What are you looking forward to being able to do now that you won’t be in class or rehearsal 12 hours a day?
Sitting down and watching a Laker game. Kelley, my girlfriend, she doesn't usually get to see me yelling at the TV because she's usually yelling at the TV, but when I watch the Laker game she gets to see me really into it. And to be in the city that I was raised in, and watch the team I grew up with. I'm not really that passionate about any other sports team except the Lakers. So, yeah. Just to be able to sit down and watch. That and just being closer to my family again. 

Any plans for after graduation? 
I'm going back to L.A. Going home. I'm going there to work, to be a working actor, but that's home for me. And spending more time with my girlfriend because she's sacrificed so much. Catching up on my movies and my TV series. But, really, just getting back to my family. 

Do you have a favorite memory from your time here? 
Oh, man. So many memories. But I think, when Todd [London] and Karen [Hartman] took us out to lunch, all of us [graduating actors], and Todd just said, "You guys brought all of yourselves to this program." As much chaos as we were involved in and caused, he was still like, "It's gonna be so different with you all not here." That meant a lot. It helped a lot, as far as just being confident that I left all of me. I didn't waste anything, whether it was me being typical me, goofy, funny, or resistant, or really passionate, or just saying, "I dont know where I am, what am I doing?" you know, just giving all of me. 

What advice do you have to people who might follow in your footsteps?
If it's a little kid, I would say dream big, and don't let anyone ever tell you you can't do something. And if they do tell you that, you do it anyway.

If it's somebody who was thinking about grad school for acting, I would say make sure you have something, like a hobby or another love. Because when you make this your love, it creates a lot of confusion, and you have nothing to run to. So, make sure you have someone else or something else to run to. Because, if not, when this is shaky, where do you go?

For the 1s and 2s coming up behind us, I would say it will be here before you know it. So, enjoy every moment, every critique, every stomp in Suzuki, every beat, enjoy it, because before you know it, you're gonna be asked "What's your favorite memory?" So it's just to--as much as we hear it around here--be present, even when you don't want to be present. 'Cause that's probably the hardest thing to do. Be present.

Want to learn more about Allen? Visit his website: allenmilleriii.com

Our graduating PATPs are raising money to support their showcase tour to Los Angeles and New York. Learn more about their tour and how you can be a part of launching this talented class into their professional careers by clicking here.