Nicholas Fergusons Personal Statement for The Julliard School Drama Program

A unique field of work; it serves as beneficiary, not only to the intrinsic self, but also as
poignant and piercing to others as well. This career allows one to explore themselves and their
surroundings. Few people retain the privilege of being able to create a living through their
absolute passion. With the skill set that I already attribute and my ability to learn and grow, I
believe that by attending this program that I can grow to be one of these few people.
To be frank, in my adolescence, the number of things on this planet truly left me in awe
could be counted on my fingers. I never truly began to outgrow this cynical phase of my
childhood until I began to truly engulf myself into the art of acting. The art form of acting taught
me that there an abundance of beauty in even the most simplest of things. Through this, I have
found that one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring things is turning an experience of
negativity or failure and turning that downfall into a positive. Acting serves as an outlet where I
can do such a thing. This connection serves as a therapeutic form of expression that has only
graced upon me while acting. I believe that this experience and connection is one of the many
factors that contribute to my desire to be an actor.
While I could deeply elaborate on all of the traits of acting that attract me to it, it all
comes back to the same principal reason. I want to spark inspiration and emotion into the lives of
people with my art. Whenever I faced personal turmoil in my life, I would turn to the arts as a
refuge and allow the arts to inspire me and allow it to lead me to achieve triumphs and overcome
obstacles that I never thought were possible. As an artist, I only wish to cast the same effect of
inspiration and emotion.

I wish to work professionally after I obtain the knowledge needed to thrive as an actor. In
addition to working professionally, I wish to be an advocate of the arts in high school settings.
The arts provided many things for me in high school that other interests could not. The arts gave
me a shield of confidence when insecurity had struck, it gave me a house and family when I felt I
did not have one at my address, but most of all, it gave me a sense of pride in what I was doing. I
was different from the rest of my schools population in the sense that I had found a passion
where I could show the gritty truth and not be condemned.