Teen Monologue Festival - Previous Finalists

Ava Espinoza
LA County High School of the Art

Ava Espinoza (she/her) is a senior at LACHSA in the Theatre Department. Her love of Shakespeare began with the discovery of a Romeo & Juliet graphic novel way back in third grade! Ava is also an avid performer and singer-songwriter. She plans to study musical theatre in college. Avaespinoza.com

Hadley Gannaway
Chaminade College Preparatory

Hadley Gannaway is a junior at Chaminade College Preparatory and is grateful to be among this year’s winners. She began her acting career as the voice of Young Anna in Disney’s Frozen II and has voiced numerous animated characters. Hadley wants to thank her family for supporting her.

Ny’kell Hightower
View Park High School

Ny’kell Hightower is a 17-year-old senior at View Park High School. In his spare time, he enjoys writing, reading, and listening to music. He also enjoys acting, because it allows him to showcase his creativity.

Josh Ighodaro
Canyon High School

Josh Ighodaro is thrilled to be on the ANW stage! A senior at Canyon High School, Josh’s upcoming roles include Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night and the title role in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd. Previous roles have included John Proctor (The Crucible) and Dipper (Rocky: The Musical). Josh would like to thank his teacher, friends, and family for their support.

Zoe Liu
The Webb Schools

Zoe Liu is a junior at The Webb Schools and has been a very active member of the theater program at her school, immersing herself in creative expression through performing on stage starting from the age of nine. She is so excited and thankful for this opportunity and is immensely grateful for the support from her theater director, Ms. Plumley, as well as her friends and family.

Daisy Luke
North Hollywood High School

Daisy Luke is an 11th grader at North Hollywood High School: Highly Gifted Magnet where she plays varsity soccer and track. She loves reading, sewing, visual arts, and theater. Daisy attended the summer theater program at Interlochen (2024) and the Shakespeare intensive “Midsummer Program” at the British Academy of Dramatic Arts (2025).

Layla Raleigh
Westridge School

Layla Raleigh is a senior at Westridge School and is so grateful for this opportunity. Some of her favorite roles include Katherine Plumber in Newsies, Ilse Neumann in Spring Awakening, and The Witch in Into The Woods. She wants to thank everyone who has supported her on and off stage!

Amira Shamsi
Polytechnic School

Amira Shamsi, a sophomore at Polytechnic School, has been passionate about performing her entire life. Her recent credits from Poly and Theatre 360 include Marian (The Music Man), Olive (…Spelling Bee), Donna (Mamma Mia!), and Cinderella (Into the Woods). She is currently co-directing and producing her original play Unsex Me at Lineage Performing Arts Center.

Anecia Spann
LA County High School of the Arts

Anecia Spann is an acting student at LACHSA who’s been performing since she was nine. She loves bringing characters to life and sharing stories that connect with people.

Angel Villamizar
Ramón C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts

Angel Villamizar is a Venezuelan actor focused on giving voice to underrepresented stories. He recently starred as Isaac in the LACDMH upcoming commercial ‘Cope Safely’ and was selected for The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company’s groundbreaking hip-hop theatre play Live from LA inspired by the current political climate. Honored for being a ANW Finalist!

Ava Coates
Marlborough School

Ava Coates is a junior at Marlborough School, where she immerses herself in the vibrant world of the performing arts. With a deep passion for acting, dancing, and singing, Ava thrives on each aspect of creativity and expression that the arts offer. Her enthusiasm and love for acting motivate her to focus on her goal of working as an actor in the future. Ava continues to improve her skills by seeking new opportunities to grow as an artist, such as this one at ANW!

Bryce Collis
The Archer School

Bryce is a senior at The Archer School who is excited to pursue musical theatre. In addition to performing, she loves spending time with her family and friends. She is a curious student of life. She hopes to use theatre to create positive change by cultivating connections.

Mina Mannal
South Pasadena High School

Mina Mannal is a junior and has been performing ever since she was three years old. She is an avid member of the dance and theatre programs at her South Pasadena High School and is currently playing Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She would like to thank her family and theatre teacher for all of their support and A Noise Within for this amazing opportunity!

Zakary Risinger
LA County High School of the Arts

Zakary is a sophomore at LACHSA and thrilled to be included in this festival! He has worked in tv and film since he was an infant and LOVES theater. He is very excited to be cast in upcoming productions of Footloose and Boxing the Sun. He’d like to thank Elizabeth Dennehy, all of his Teaching Artists, and ANW for this special opportunity.

Aryn Robinson
View Park High School

Aryn Robinson is a 17-year-old senior representing View Park High School in the Performing Arts. She has several years of experience in the theater and has worked on musicals such as “Mean Girls” as Janis and “SpongeBob” as Plankton. She’s particularly skilled in her dancing and acting abilities.

Rebekah Rogstad
Arrowhead Christian Academy

Rebekah Rogstad is a junior at Arrowhead Christian Academy and has been involved in theater since elementary school. One of her favorite roles was Jo March in Little Women, and she is currently playing Kate Keller in The Miracle Worker. Rebekah would like to thank ANW for this incredible opportunity!

Dashiell Roll
South Pasadena High School

Dashiell Roll is a senior at South Pasadena High School. Having regained a passion for the performing arts post-quarantine, Dashiell’s thrown himself into his school’s drama program. One of his favorite productions he’s been is Freaky Friday: The Musical, and he’s excited and honored to perform at A Noise Within.

Jaydon D. Santiago
Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts

Jaydon D. Santiago, a high school senior, has been acting since he was eight. From school plays to commercial sets to eventually directing and writing his own films and plays, Jaydon is immensely dedicated to the arts and continues to grow as an artist. He hopes you enjoy his performance!

Grace Shiroishi
Diamond Bar High School

Grace Shiroishi is honored to be a Teen Monologue Competition Finalist! She has always loved theater since she was young. Her most recent roles include: Sally/Oracle/Others (Lightning Thief) and Alice (Wonderland: Pilot Production). Grace is a senior at Diamond Bar High School and studies vocal/musical theater at Colburn Community School. Big thanks to her family, friends, Mr. Kaitz, Mr. AJ Stevens, Mrs. Erin, and Mr. Mike Stevens for their support!

Magnolia Swire
Glendora High School

Magnolia Swire is a senior at Glendora High School. She has primarily performed in musicals but also loves singing as a soprano in show choir and acting on-screen. Her past favorite roles include Amelie in Amelie, Christine Daaé in a Wayne Scott’s adaptation of Phantom of the Opera, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, and Glinda in The Wizard of Oz. She is currently playing Wednesday Addams in her high school’s production of The Addams Family. She is so excited to be here and grateful for this opportunity!

Melissa Valeria Valdivia
Verdugo Hills High School

Melissa Valeria Valdivia is 17 years old; she is a senior at Verdugo Hills High School, theater is her passion and she loves to use her talents to spread joy and to inspire others. Melissa was an English Speaking Union Shakespeare competition Semi Finalist her Freshman and Sophomore year. She was a Finalist for the August Wilson New Voices monologue competition last March, Semi Finalist for The Music Center Group’s SPOTLIGHT, was awarded 5th place for her DTASC scene Ginny and Georgia, and was also given the adjudicator’s award for her role as Helena in her high school’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She is honored to have been selected as 1 of the Finalists for the A Noise Within Teen Monologue Competition and can’t wait to share her craft.

Questions

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions! Email education@anoisewithin.org

Event Sponsor

Dr. Bob Israel, ANW Board Member and Education Committee Member