Alexandru-Ioan Rotaru was born in Bucharest, Romania where he took his first acting class at the age of 15. From there, he went on to star in stage performances such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Down Way. He wrote and performed an original one-man show and also played a supporting part in the feature film, Dog Poop Girl. His latest performances include roles in Bertolt Brecht’s The Informer and Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing.

Amye pursued acting on both the stage and screen in the Southeast market before deciding to further her education and experience here on the West Coast. She serves as Company Manager for Gwydion Theatre Co., and has participated in many theatrical productions at AADA, as well as other companies with credits including: Pride and Prejudice, Laundry and Bourbon, Book of Days, Frankenstein, Les Misérables, Oliver!, Hairspray, and more. Amye is so thankful for this rewarding experience at the Academy!

At age 12, Ana tried to rent an adaptation of Sophie’s World and ended up watching Sophie’s Choice, twice. It awakened her love for art and appreciation for great performances. In her mid-20s, Ana found her true passion. Dropping PhD applications and auditioning for AADA, she is now a proud member of the Class of 2021, besides a BA and Master recipient in Global Studies with a focus in Feminist Studies, a subject deeply connected to her values. In her free time, she’s at the beach, rewatching a favorite TV show, at the movies, or - when in Brazil - horse-riding or gushing over her family’s new puppy. She’s grateful to her family, friends, and goddaughter Sophia for their love and support.

Christopher Bailey Hunter is an actor from the small town of Escalon, California. He’s very excited to out in Los Angeles working on beautiful shows with wonderful people. Aside from acting, Chris also loves to write poetry and telling jokes. He would like to thank his family for their constant support, and to everyone else he says, “Big Fan!”

Claire has been a passionate performer from a very young age. She has been trained in dance, singing, acting, and musical theatre at some of Queensland’s leading performing arts schools. Claire was a member of the Queensland Theatre Young Artists Performance Ensemble where she trained with many of the State’s top performing artists. She earned her Associate in Performing from Trinity College London while completing her final year of high school. From The Academy’s Conservatory for Young Actors (ACYA) to an Academy Graduate and to now being a member of The Academy’s Company, this is a dream come true for Claire.

Cody is a classically trained actor with over 15 years of experience. He has entertained audiences as Galen Gray in The Anatomy of Gray, Newland Archer in The Age of Innocence, Joe Pendleton in Heaven Can Wait, and Prince Hal in King Henry IV, Part 2. He received his Associates and is working on a BA in Acting & Theatre. While pursuing his education, he put up 12 shows ranging from Lynn Nottage and Shakespeare to Arthur Miller. Cody is family-oriented and ascribes his passion for people and the arts to his friends and family. He hopes to leave this year’s Company with a better understanding of what it means to be an artist.

Diana grew up acting out stories from all the books she read. Also passionate about music, she started music school at three and still loves violin and Niccolò Paganini. At eight, she was determined to become an actor. With the help and support of her parents, she moved to the UK at 14. There she discovered her passion, particularly for TV, film, and physical theatre. She continued her studies at AADA in New York. But California kept calling her. She listened to her soul and, after being accepted to the Company, did a third year in LA. She is grateful for every opportunity that life gives her and is honored to be a part of the Academy Company.

Grayson is originally from Detroit, Michigan. He is one of the founding members and serves as the Executive Director of The Gwydion Theatre Company. This past summer he had the pleasure of directing fellow Academy alumni in Timothy Mason’s Ascension Day at the Zephyr Theatre. Some of his favorite roles include Eugene in Brighton Beach Memoirs at The Barn Theatre, Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov in The Marriage Proposal, and Ken Talley, Jr. in Fifth of July here at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Hayden has always been an entertainer. As a child he would make his family laugh and even impress his teacher at school. He is a total fun, loveable, goofball. Hayden is pursuing a career in the entertainment industry to do for others what film, television, and theatre have done to him: create emotions and to make others feel happy, sad, inspired, and everything in between. Hayden has a passion for comedy but doesn’t turn a blind eye to drama. He collects LEGO and loves anything to do with Star Wars, Marvel, or animals. Some of Hayden’s favorite roles he’s played include Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors, Chef Louis in The Little Mermaid, and Ensemble Man in Clue.

Josh was born in a tiny town in the Santa Cruz Mountains. He’s been doing theatre since age eight, making his stage debut as Tattoo in The Jungle Book: Welcome to the Jungle. After his opening line, he never dreamed he’d do anything else. He threw every inch of himself into every role of every production possible, including every tech and backstage position. Finally, he bounced south to The Academy, performing in some of his favorite roles, Wadsworth from Clue and David from Magic Time. When not on stage you’ll find him working up in the booth painting with light. He is ecstatic to be taking the stage with the rest of this extremally talented Company.

Leilu spent the formative years of his life pursuing a passion for the arts at a magnet arts middle/high school. Originally pursuing a pathway in drawing, he instead graduated with a pathway in sculpture, ceramics, and theatre. He found his love of the stage in a production of Into the Woods, where he played the titular role of Tree. From there he had an appetite for all things theatre, going on to write, act, set build and paint, sew costumes, and direct. He went on to continue his education at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. When he’s not acting you can find him rock climbing, sewing, or watching random tv shows.

Leslie Campbell is from Nassau, The Bahamas, and is of Cuban-Bahamian heritage. She discovered her call to the stage while studying at Arizona State University where she double majored in Theatre and Global Health. Some of her favorite roles have been Prosecutor in Michael Rohd’s The Compass, Athena in John Tipton’s translation of Ajax, Uriel Shaw in Black Mariah (short film). She is excited to be a part of this year’s Company and looks forward to a season of stellar performances!

From a young age, Lucia has shared her family’s passion for the arts, whether that would be through singing, dancing, painting, or acting. She’s had piano and several different styles of dance lessons throughout her life as well as vocal training. Lucia attended La Tarumba Circus School, where she developed acrobatic and acting skills. Her favorite activity from La Tarumba were aerial silks. She obtained her International Baccalaureate diploma from Colegio Peruano Britanico (Peruvian British School) as well as her high school diploma. After completing the Conservatory Program at The Academy, it is an honor to be a part of the Company ensemble.

From a small Oregon town to the bustling city that is LA, Nicky has hit the ground running. This past summer Nicky made his film debut at the Tribeca Film Festival in Alex Lehman’s feature film Acidman. He started acting when his mom forced him to do an improv class when he was 12... he hated it. But now he is well versed in stage acting, with over 20 theatre credits from musicals, dramas, and comedies. There is nothing Nicky can’t do. When he isn’t on stage you may find him jamming out on his guitar, juggling random objects, or having a good laugh with his friends. He loves to learn new things and is constantly on the lookout out for an adventure. Come say hi!

From a very young age, Oliviia has been interested in artistic spheres, in things that cannot be justified in a scientific way, or by following specific guidelines. When not performing, practices martial arts, fencing, surfing, and playing the piano. She is fluent in Russian and speaks French and Arabic. Oliviia has developed a genuine curiosity about absolutely everything in the world throughout her travels, learning and becoming familiar with different cultures. Her most recent roles were Polly in Play On! and Charlotte Lucas in Pride and Prejudice. Oliviia is a lover of comedy and looks forward to exploring more dramatic roles as well.

Growing up, Ryan trained in the Korean martial art, Taekwondo. From the ages of nine to 18, he trained and taught while also competing around the country winning multiple national titles in sparring. In 2015, Ryan earned a spot on the U.S. National Team and traveled to Mexico to compete at the Pan American Games and won a bronze medal. Ryan currently holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt. Although martial arts were his life for many years, he found a love for acting and theatre in high school thanks to a close friend. He realized acting was what he really wanted to pursue in life and hasn’t looked back since. Please enjoy the show and thank you for your support!

Stephanie has many tricks up her sleeve. Hailing from Music City, she has no doubt been struck by the Muses ever since she was born. A standalone artist, she has consistently put her creative efforts toward various arts, not only acting but also illustration, music, writing, and more. It was two years after high school, having taken a gap larger than the one in her teeth, that she made acting the youngest addition to her creative portfolio. Enrolling at The Academy, she has learned many facets of such a delicate craft. Now that she is in Company, she is excited to use all that she has learned as well as use the rest of her artistry to create something that is unique all unto itself.