Hi! My name is Ava, and I’m an actor originally from Youngstown, Ohio. I’m a big fan of lattes (I make my own!) and mint chocolate chip ice cream with Oreos. I spend my free time ballroom dancing, playing guitar, and journaling. Currently, I’m a senior majoring in Musical Theatre at American University in Washington, D.C.

I’m an actor because I’m ignited by learning. Acting lights a fire within my brain, body, soul, and spirit—it urges me to become a detective, constantly searching for clues and deciphering situations. I’ve fallen in love with analyzing my given circumstances and my scene partners’ reactions. Simply put, I love the work. There’s always a new detail to explore and a new discovery to make. Each time I step on stage, I learn something new and feel invigorated.

I believe the stories we, as actors, have the great privilege and responsibility to tell hold immense power in bringing people together. Acting helps me connect with characters and people I may not align with morally. It grants me the opportunity to look within myself to find empathy, however hard it may be. Through acting, I explore the beautiful, dark, scary, jealous, exciting, and compassionate parts of the human experience that I wouldn’t normally be free to tap into. Because of this exploration, I’ve learned (and am still learning) to lead my life in a more grounded, empathetic, and graceful way. Acting has encouraged me to open my mind and remain curious everywhere I go. Creating life on stage is a precious privilege, and I’m immensely grateful to continue learning and experiencing it.

In October, I played Rosalind in Shaina Taub’s musical adaptation of As You Like It, directed by Aaron Posner. In January, I’m looking forward to spending eighteen days in Spring Green, Wisconsin, at American Players Theatre, training with several of the theatre’s Core Company Members in APT’s new Shakespeare-focused program, The Language Project. Then, in March, I’m ecstatic to be playing Judy in 9 to 5, directed by Nikki Mirza.