Unveiling the Rising Star: 5 Secrets about HSMTMTS' Julia Lester and her Tony Nomination

Julia Lester, known for her role as Ashlyn Caswell in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, recently achieved a major milestone by making her Broadway debut. During her TV hiatus after the third season of the Disney+ spinoff, the Los Angeles native was cast as Little Red in the highly-anticipated revival of Into the Woods at the New York City Center. Following widespread acclaim, the production eventually made its way to Broadway, where Lester took the stage for the first time. It's a moment that Ashlyn would undoubtedly be proud of.

Lester shared with Vulture in August 2022 that joining the Encores! production was a new experience for her, as she had never done a show in New York before. Despite the limited run initially planned, the process of putting together a show in just 10 or 11 days with only one tech rehearsal was a challenging feat. With this in mind, Lester made it a priority to come into the production fully prepared and confident in her choices. As for her portrayal of Little Red, Lester aimed to surprise audiences with a darker and more mature interpretation of the character. She also made a conscious effort to avoid any campiness or awkwardness in her performance as a 22-year-old playing a child. Lester felt accepted and supported in her choices by the Encores! team, and was excited to see how her performance would evolve for the Broadway production.

After starring in the production of Prince of Peoria until September 2022, Lester received a Tony Award nomination, leaving her speechless. In a heartfelt Instagram post in May 2023, she expressed immense gratitude towards the New York theatre community for their warm welcome and unwavering support. Despite struggling to be vulnerable on social media, Lester conveyed her deep appreciation for the recognition and honor of being a Tony nominee.

Get to know the Tony-nominated starlet, Lester, who is competing for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical against some of the industry's finest stage stars, including Ruthie Ann Miles, Bonnie Milligan, NaTasha Yvette Williams, and Betsy Wolfe. Don't forget to tune in to CBS on June 11, 2023, to catch the live broadcast of the highly anticipated 2023 Tonys.

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Who Is Julia Lester? 5 Things to Know About the ‘HSMTMTS’ Star Who Earned Her 1st Tony Nomination

Ashlyn would be so proud! After Julia Lester made her mark on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, she had her sights set on Broadway.

During her hiatus from HSMTMTS after the third season aired on Disney+ in July 2022, Olivia Rose Keegan, who portrays Ashlyn Caswell, pursued her passion for theater on Broadway. Keegan, a Los Angeles native, landed the coveted role of Little Red in the highly anticipated revival of Into the Woods at the New York City Center in 2022. The production received widespread acclaim from the theater community and eventually moved to Broadway, where Keegan made her Broadway debut. Despite the differences in processes between New York and Los Angeles theater, Keegan embraced the challenge of putting on a show in a short amount of time and worked hard to ensure she was well-prepared for the role.

"I was determined to surprise audiences with Little Red's character," she explained. "Playing a child at 22, I didn't want it to come across as an adult trying to be a little girl. So, I embraced the darker and tougher aspects of the role instead of going for a campy or weird portrayal. Thankfully, my choices were well-received during the Encores! run, and I was able to continue to develop the character in the Broadway production, which ultimately led to a Tony Award nomination."

Lester expressed her gratitude to the New York theatre community for their warm welcome and support via Instagram in May 2023. As a Tony nominee for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical, Lester is humbled by the recognition and thankful for the opportunity. The awards ceremony will be aired live on CBS from New York City on June 11, 2023, with Lester competing against fellow stage stars Ruthie Ann Miles, Bonnie Milligan, NaTasha Yvette Williams and Betsy Wolfe.

Scroll below to get to know the Tony-nominated starlet:

Credit: Courtesy of Julia Lester/Instagram

What Is Julia Lester Nominated for at the 2023 Tony Awards?

Lester earned a Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical nod at the 2023 Tonys based on her scene-stealing performance of Little Red in Into the Woods.

Credit: Courtesy of Julia Lester/TikTok

How Did Julia Lester React to Her 1st Tony Nomination?

Lester, the singer known for her hit single "Wondering," shared a heartfelt moment with her family on TikTok as she learned of her nomination. The emotional footage captures Lester sitting on the couch with her loved ones, anxiously watching the livestream announcement. As soon as her name is called out, tears stream down her face, and she tightly grips the hands of those around her.

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What Has Julia Lester Said About Making Her Broadway Debut in ‘Into the Woods’?

"It was just a routine self-tape submission until she received the call that changed everything. The opportunity to audition for Into the Woods at City Center, alongside Sara Bareilles and a host of other talented performers, was too good to pass up. As fate would have it, the roles of Little Red and Jack were among the few that required auditions. She submitted her tape and waited anxiously. Two weeks later, her agents called with the news that would bring her to tears: Stephen Sondheim himself had chosen her to play Little Red."

Credit: Disney/Anne Marie Fox

What Is Julia Lester’s Claim to Fame?

The talented actress from Spirit Riding Free, found her breakthrough role as Ashlyn in the series premiere of HSMTMTS in May 2021. This Disney+ comedy is a spinoff of the original High School Musical series.

Credit: Courtesy of Julia Lester/Instagram

Who Is Julia Lester Dating?

Lester publicly came out as pansexual in June 2020, nearly two years before revealing that she had started dating HSMTMTS writer Ilana Wolpert.