We had the good fortune of connecting with Becca Ayers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Becca, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
My favorite quote is from the play, “Well” by Lisa Kron: “If you’re part of the main group all the time, you never learn to see the world from anyone’s point of view but your own.” – I love how true this is. I think it is essential to go out and see the world and be among varying groups of people to understand others’ points of view, and to not be part of the dominant culture all of the time.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a Broadway performer who mostly does musical theater. I’ve, also, done tons of regional theater, plus a handful of Off-Broadway gigs. On Broadway, I’ve performed in “Avenue Q”, “Les Miserables”, “South Pacific”, “My Fair Lady”, “Addam’s Family”, and (most recently) as Col. Thomas McKean in the Roundabouts all female, trans and non-binary cast of “1776”.

I’m most proud of a show I did Off-Broadway called, “Sarah, Plain and Tall” in which I played the titular character. It was a BEAUTIFUL production, and even folks who didn’t care for musical theater loved it because it had such heart. It was written by Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin and Julia Jordan and directed by Joe Calarco. I got to play opposite Herndon Lackey, who is so talented and a dream to work with.

I got my equity card in a very lucky way that jump started my career. I was understudying a New York actor in a show in Wichita, and got to sing for a promotional event one day when the woman I was understudying didn’t feel well. The writer of the show was in the audience and told me she had a friend doing “Cabaret” and was looking for a young Sally Bowles, like in the Christopher Isherwood novel. I flew to New York and I got it! It was a regional gig that took place in the Berkshires and then got picked up at a theater in Boston. I moved to New York knowing that I had a job starting in a month! That production got me to New York and got me my first agent.

My career seemed to come to a screeching halt when I turned forty, so I’ve learned that there needs to be more roles for women my age besides witches and invisible moms (lol). I started writing to try to accommodate that, which has been a great outlet and I’m hoping to find a literary agent to help get some of these stories with very diverse characters (not just women but non-binary, trans, people of color, etc.) off the ground.

I’m very much into comedy, too – and completed three levels of improv and sketch writing at Upright Citizen’s Brigade. I’ve also taken character class there, and have done two improv movies.

I’m very much into comedy, too – and completed three levels of improv and sketch writing at Upright Citizen’s Brigade. I’ve also taken character class there, and have done two improv movies.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite place in New York City is the Highline. I love taking walks on there. My favorite place in LA is probably Los Feliz because Vermont street feels like Williamsburg.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my sister, Heather Ayers, who is, also, in the business. She has always been so supportive and so smart about helping me with decisions, with acting, self-taping; anything and everything that has to do with the business. I, also, want to shoutout my mentor at my college (Stephens Women’s College in Columbia, MO) – Beth Leonard and my mentor growing up doing children’s theater – Debbie Baldwin. Also, my first voice teacher, Linda Wright. These women shaped the work ethic I have today.

Website: www.BeccaAyers.com

Instagram: @becca__ayers

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063539139904

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz9OjYFzfA_Qwa-t2iSLyYw

Image Credits
First image credit: Grace Stockdale 3rd image credit: Russ Rowland 5th image credit: Grace Stockdale 6th image credit: Lizzie Milonovich

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.