Meet Broadway Wiz Bright Star, Aya from Berkeley, CA.
Aya met her best friend at opening day for Deaf West’s Spring Awakening, so it’s no wonder she loves that show!
On average, how many Broadway or Off-Broadway shows do you see a year?
My first year near NYC was last year, and I saw 16 shows!
How many local shows or community theater shows do you see a year?
I try to see at least 5 a year in the Bay Area
Favorite Broadway show:
Right now it’s between Sweeney Todd, Fiddler on the Roof, and Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812
All-time favorite performer:
PASS. Too many!
Songs you like to belt in the shower:
I just finished doing Carousel, so those songs are still floating around my head.
Favorite piece of theater memorabilia you own:
I have a copy of American Theatre Magazine with some of the cast of Deaf West’s Spring Awakening on the cover. Most everyone in the cast signed it, and it also has some lovely (f)artwork by Daniel Stewart.
Most memorable performance you’ve ever seen:
Deaf West’s Spring Awakening, September 12, 2015. The first time I saw the show that completely changed my life.
Best interaction you have had with another theater fan:
The first time I met my now-best friend, Isaac. We met at the opening day of Spring Awakening, and the rest is history!
Why do you love theater?
Doing theatre for me is my own way of getting to do magic. Theatre is pretty much a miracle, especially when you think about how much goes into it. There are so many opportunities for things to go wrong. But watching or doing a finished show means that everything went right, and you now get to be a part of that miracle. And I think that’s pretty amazing.
Dream roles?
Dot in Sunday in the Park with George, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Whatsername in American Idiot, Dawn in Waitress, Marya or Sonya in Great Comet, Cleo in The Most Happy Fella
Best stagedoor or backstage experience?
Last time I’ll mention Spring Awakening, I promise! The lovely Josh Castille invited Isaac and I to come backstage at the Brooks Atkinson. As soon as I stepped on that stage, I teared up. Performing has always been my true love, and I couldn’t help but imagine myself acting on that stage. I got very overwhelmed!
Favorite spots in NYC:
Schmackary’s, the Drama Book Shop, the Met, Yum Yum Thai.
If you could sing a duet or perform a scene with any Broadway star, who would it be?
Leslie Odom, Jr.
Did you ever fangirl when you met an actor/performer?:
Normally I try to play it cool (actors are people too!), but I could not keep it together at Hamilton. I nearly cried when I told Phillipa Soo how much she inspires me, and I fully flipped out when Daveed Diggs told me he and I had gone to the same high school.
Favorite thing about Broadway Wiz?
You always seem to interview my favorite people!
What would your super power be?
Always having the exact amount of money I need.
Besides theater, what are some of your other passions or hobbies?
I’m a big baseball fan! GO GIANTS!
I’m also big into music (like, not musicals) and I’m currently learning ASL as well.
Where can we stalk you online?
Twitter: @ayanewman
Instagram: @aya.the.tiger
Anything else you would like to share? Funny stories, weird facts about yourself, cool talents?
Fun random slightly Broadway-related fact: A couple summers ago, Dave Malloy wrote a show for a company I do shows with (shout out to YMTC!) about a high school dance-a-thon. It was strange and exciting and he’s the coolest, nicest guy. Hi Dave!
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