Auryn Rothwell (he/him) Santa Monica, California

Auryn Rothwell was born in Santa Monica, CA and raised in Kilkenny, Ireland. With his energetic silliness and love for putting on voices and impressions growing up, he often heard the phrase “you are such a character.” So, he decided to do that for a living. His first ever performance was in a middle school production of Peter Pan and after receiving his first big laugh from the audience he became ‘hooked.’ Since then, he has played many comedic roles such as playing the title role in Scapin, the Bad Idea Bear in Avenue Q, and Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He has also done dramatic work in The Crucible, The Seagull and Zoot Suit. His most recent credits at the Academy are Andréy in Three Sisters and The Doctor in Exit the King. Auryn’s hobbies include performing stand-up comedy, baking, hiking, road trips and ordering Postmates with money he doesn’t have, even though there’s food at home. He is beyond grateful to his family for supporting his dream every step of the way, his second family at the Academy for being there to push and encourage him every single day, and his friends for making sure he never loses sight of himself, constantly making him laugh and always being there through thick and thin. 

Gianna Avenoso (they/she) Forked River, New Jersey

Guy Zahut (he/him) Hod HaSharon, Israel

Jennica Leona (she/her) Knoxville, Tennessee

Jennica Leona, born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, started her performance career on the court and field. Nothing stopped her; she was on all-boys basketball and football teams and tried almost every game out there. She was not about the competition but was in love with entertaining her community. During high school, Jennica found the perfect medium for both athleticism and performance: the aerial arts. Thanks to Sean Lakey and his original Cirque shows, Jennica had creative freedom to develop new roles and tell stories through the art of physical theater. She absolutely fell in love with acting before she even had any live lines. Her first show was Into the Woods, but because of COVID, all the lines and songs were pre-recorded and Jennica only had to worry about her physicalized rendition of the Narrator. This launched her career and she has not looked back, sprinting down the path to living her life as a committed artist. 

Johnny Yan (he/him) Guiyang City, China

Johnny Yan (颜子淇) is an actor and comedian born and raised in Guiyang, China. He discovered a deep passion for the performing arts at a young age. Growing up in a socially and culturally oppressed environment, Johnny found safety and freedom in acting and comedy, which also sparked his curiosity for a life beyond. Determined to create a better future for himself and his family, Johnny made the bold decision to leave China at seventeen, moving alone to New Zealand. There, he pursued studies in Drama, Classical Studies, and Asian Studies, deepening his understanding of performance and cultural storytelling. In 2023, through an unexpected introduction by a former graduate, Johnny was introduced to The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Inspired by the opportunity to chase his dream on the world’s most prestigious stages, he moved to New York to continue his artistic journey. Johnny is excited to share stories from Guiyang and across China with global audiences, using his voice and craft to bridge cultures through humor and humanity. 

Lex Leone (she/her) Dover, Delaware

Born and raised in Dover, Delaware, Lex always had a passion for being silly and making people laugh. She had always dreamed of being an actress but didn’t come from a family where performing arts was a norm. She studied to be a cosmetologist but as time went on, she still had that dream of being an actress in the back of her mind. So, in 2022, she toured The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, did the Two-Week Summer Intensive, and knew that this is where she belonged. Lex started acting in musicals at a community theater at the age of 21 and it gave her the confidence to drop everything and move to the Big Apple to chase her dreams. She hasn’t looked back! Lex is incredibly grateful for everyone that supports her as she continues her journey. 

Nate Metcalf (he/him) Allentown, Pennsylvania

Born and raised in rural Pennsylvania, Nate grew up in a blue-collar family on the outskirts of Allentown. Much like Billy Joel’s song “Allentown”, the restlessness was handed down. However, he found the remedy to his soul’s stirring when he first stepped on stage as Brom Bones in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The arts quickly enveloped his life as he landed roles such as King Triton, the Wolf, the Beast, and Jud Fry in spring musicals, played Spider-Man for kids in the summer, and scared adults in haunted houses come autumn - all while teaching himself to play guitar in his spare time. At Parkland High School, he was crowned his senior year’s Mr. Parkland and brought the house down as Gomez with his rendition of “When You’re an Addams,” alongside his high school theater family. After training for 2 years at the Academy’s LA campus, Nate arrived on the NY scene, hungry for what the world has in store for him next.   

Niarra Bell (she/her) Hampton, Virginia

Love of acting, passion for life, and unwavering faith led Niarra to The Academy Company. Growing up in Virginia, Niarra knew from a young age that she wanted to be an actor, but it was only the steadfast support of the people closest to her and many nights spent in prayer that gave her the courage to actually pursue the path. Her journey in NYC has been filled with fierce love, vivacious laughter, and unfathomable joy. Some of her favorite moments at the Academy include playing Olivia in Twelfth Night and receiving the Charles Jehlinger Award. Niarra thanks God every day for the privilege of being a storyteller and hopes to spread light and positivity through her work.  

Sarita Trujillo Gonzalez (she/her) Cartago, Colombia

Born and raised under the vibrant sun of Colombia, Sarita always felt at home on stage. From an early age, she sought out every opportunity to perform—singing, dancing, and eventually taking the reins as choreographer, producer, musical director, and, of course, the star of her family functions’ legendary halftime shows. Though she never imagined she’d one day move to the United States, that leap opened the door to turning her lifelong passion into a profession. With the encouragement of her parents—who gently steered her away from a psychology major—she began her formal training at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Since then, her love for acting has only deepened. Eager to continue growing as an artist, she is honored and excited to be part of this year’s Company.

Sophia Schulitz (she/her) Pittsford, New York

Theo Kleiman (he/him) L’Albir, Spain

Tom Marshall (he/him) Northampton, United Kingdom

Born in the town of Northampton in the East Midlands of England, Tom famously walked off stage midway through his preschool nativity play—and for years, that seemed to be the end of his acting career. It wasn’t until high school, when two dedicated teachers introduced him to a broader world of theatre, that the spark reignited. Since then, he’s pursued the craft with clarity and curiosity, embracing each new challenge as a chance to grow. Tom is proud to be training at the Academy, and deeply grateful to those who nudged him back toward the stage—even if it took a little while. 

Wilhelmina Bieniek (she/her) Bremen, Germany

Raised in part on a farm in the north of Germany, Wilhelmina has always found herself inventing stories and curiously observing life. Her greatest satisfaction is getting lost in her vivid imagination. Why live one life when you can look at the world through different eyes for a period of time? Born into a family of lawyers and doctors, she surprised everybody by moving to New York City to follow her calling of becoming an actress. Hearing them say, “You’re so quiet, but follow your dreams until you live them” is what keeps her motivated. She truly believes that the magic of acting lies in collaboration and that the intensity of the work requires openness, willingness and complete devotion. In other words, being an artist for her is a way of living. When not acting, Wilhelmina can be found painting, reading, observing the stars or going on an adventure like paragliding. She says thank you with all her heart to everybody who made this wonderful journey possible for her. 

Zeynep Kaptan (she/her) Istanbul, Turkey

Born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, Zeynep declared at the age of five—right after watching a recording of Cats—that she was meant to be on stage, and she’s been following that instinct ever since. Growing up as the only child in her big, loving family, she often played pretend with her grandmother, developing a vivid imagination and a deep sensitivity to the people around her. Zeynep is fascinated by the ways we all try to make sense of this curious world. She is deeply passionate about stories that reveal vulnerability, truth, and the messy, beautiful parts of being human. She loves seeing life in a frame, capturing nature and stories without words through her lens. Her Academy credits include Masha in Three Sisters and Queen Marie in Exit the King. She is eternally grateful to her family and friends for inspiring her to be brave every day.