Terriers in Charge: Ava Ascher (CAS’25, COM’25)
President, BU on Broadway
Before they came to Boston University, Ava Ascher used to get nervous before any big class presentation. And stage fright kept them from pursuing performance-related extracurriculars in high school. But they loved theater and would often go to Broadway shows with their mother.
During their BU freshman year, a friend told Ascher they were auditioning for a On Broadway show. The student-led musical theater club is open to students of all majors. “You should just come with me,” they suggested. Ascher agreed, thinking the experience of being on stage might help them.
“At the time, I was like, ‘OK, at the very least this will help me ease my nerves and be a little more confident presenting,’” Ascher says. But as they became more involved with the organization, they discovered that they loved performing and being involved with theater production.
On Broadway performs two shows each semester. One is held at the Tsai Performance Center, and the other at the Student Theater at Agganis Arena, which is similar to a black-box theater.
Students in the club can pitch shows they want to direct, creative teams hold auditions, and once a cast has been assembled, rehearsals begin in earnest. Students can audition, even if they have no prior theater experience. On average, auditions usually yield a cast of 20 to 30 talented students.
“It offers a really good creative outlet for people who don’t have that elsewhere outside of academia,” Ascher says. “It can be just an extracurricular that yes, you devote a lot of time to, but isn’t all-consuming and at its core is just supposed to be fun.”
On Broadway’s final show of the semester is a production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony Award-winning Into the Woods, a musical based on several Brothers Grimm fairy tales. The show runs at the Tsai Performance Center April 10- to 12.
During their time with On Broadway, Ascher has had the opportunity to explore different aspects of theater production. They’ve done costuming, performed as an ensemble member, landed a lead role, and directed a show. Now a senior, they want others to know just how welcoming and nurturing an environment On Broadway provides.
“Everyone is very passionate about what they do and always willing to work together,” Ascher says. “BU on Broadway is an incredibly strong community.”
On Broadway’s production of Into the Woods runs Thursday, April 10, through Saturday, April 12, at 8 pm, at the Tsai Performance Center, 685 Comm Ave. Tickets are $9 for BU students, $12 for the general public; order here.
Follow On Broadway on Instagram @BUonBroadway.
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