Megan Osyen’s love for acting began early. Growing up in Moscow, she often found herself skipping class for theater rehearsals (“Sorry, teachers,” she joked). From there, her passion took her to London and New York for formal training.
She views acting as a medium for reliving vivid emotions and unique memories. “Everyone can think of plays or films that affected them,” she said. “Actors are the channels we get to experience that through.”
She got the chance to bring this experience to life herself in Lottie, a short film in which she plays a 1970s teen unraveling under societal pressures. Inspired by the classic short story The Yellow Wallpaper, Osyen worked to “incorporate experiences from my life to relay the sensitive topics as humanly as possible.”
Taking control of her career
Osyen didn’t wait for opportunity to knock—she opened the door herself. She joined Backstage this last year, has quickly added numerous short film and theater roles to her growing list of credits, and hasn’t looked back.
“I keep wondering, ‘Why did I wait so long to find my own work?’” she reflected. “The energy I expended on thinking about the future could have been channelled sooner into what I do now.”
Treating submitting to casting calls like an office job, she has found that promoting herself eases the anxiety of waiting for what’s next. “I found that self-determination is essential in the face of instability.”
For newcomers to the platform, Osyen’s advice is simple. “Go for it! The opportunities are out there if you search for them.”
Backstage, she said, empowers actors to take charge of their public image and start their journey with the confidence and momentum that comes with getting exposure to a range of opportunities, industry professionals, talented creatives, and so many new experiences.
“Artists are drilled into believing they are at the mercy of others,” she said. “In reality, the foundation of our work is to think outside of the box to get our take on the human experience out there.”
Living and learning in New York City
Now based in New York, Osyen puts in the effort to tap into the city’s rich creative ecosystem. She has especially capitalized on the opportunities provided by student film showcases and collaborations with young filmmakers, which offer fresh perspectives and valuable reel material.
Getting involved with emerging talent means “we are figuring the industry out together,” she explained, adding that the relationships forged on set often evolve into professional networks that can lead to more opportunities, more growth.
Lessons in the craft
Osyen’s approach to acting emphasizes preparation and exploration. “Every conversation you have and every new place you go—the weirder the better—acts as research for a role, everything shows up in the details of your acting” she said. “Exposing yourself to the world around really helps to make performance a totally immersive experience.”
One breakthrough moment came during Lottie. Struggling with a performance where she found herself too much in her head, she overcame being too "heady" by focusing on heightened physical actions.
She said letting herself explore the physical possibilities of a role “pushes you to reach extreme states, breaking through pent-up physical and emotional tension. It feels insanely freeing.”
She noted how this technique has unlocked her confidence and pushed her to embrace bold choices, “I'm now less likely to dim my performances in fear of going overboard.”
The road ahead
With several projects in progress, including Mom or Mother and Adam and Eveline, Osyen’s career is just beginning. As she continues to navigate the challenges and triumphs of acting, she keeps one lesson close.
“I've found the most valuable thing is reflecting on the impactful stories and cool people that I'm yet to encounter,” she said. “Being given the chance to bring a writer's vulnerable thoughts to life viscerally is special, and I hold onto that whenever I need to get inspired.”
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