Julia Lester

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For the American soccer player, see Julia Lester (soccer).
Not to be confused with Julia Lester Dillon.

Julia Lester
Lester at the Opening Night of the 2022 Broadway revival of Into the Woods
Born (2000-01-28) January 28, 2000 (age 25)
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Years active2009–present
Known forHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Into the Woods
PartnerIlana Wolpert (2022–present)
FatherLoren Lester
RelativesPeter Mark Richman (maternal grandfather)
Lucas Richman
(uncle)

Julia Lester (born January 28, 2000[1]) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Ashlyn Caswell in the Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and for her portrayal of the role of Little Red Ridinghood in the 2022 Broadway revival of Into the Woods, for which she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

Early life and education

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Lester is from Woodland Hills, CA.[2] She is Jewish.[3] She is the youngest daughter of actors Kelly and Loren Lester, granddaughter of actors Helen and Peter Mark Richman, and niece of conductor/composer Lucas Richman.[4]

She attended Calabasas High School.[5]

Personal life

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Lester is queer[6] and has been dating screenwriter Ilana Wolpert since 2022.[7]

Her character on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series also came out as queer in the third season.[6]

Acting credits

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2011 The One Who Got Away Young Cherie Short film
2020 Annie Minerals, Teen Therapist Annie
2021 What She Said Associate producer
2024 Prom Dates Hannah

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2014 Neckpee Island Mona Television film
2016 Bella and the Bulldogs Gracie Crenshaw Episode: "Bella in the Spotlight"
2017 Mom Emily 3 episodes
2018 The Thundermans Smith Episode: "Revenge of the Smith"
2019 Prince of Peoria Suzie 2 episodes
Game Shakers Tonya Mulligan Episode: "Why Tonya"[8]
2019–2020 Spirit Riding Free Bebe Schumann Voice
2019–2023 High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Ashlyn Caswell Main role; Disney+ series
2023–2024 Hailey's On It! Tina / various Voice, 5 episodes
2025 The Four Seasons Lila 4 episodes

Theater

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Year Title Role Venue Ref.
2009 Les Misérables Little Cosette Regional [9]
2010 Into the Woods Milky White [10]
2012 The Wizard of Oz Dorothy Gale Up On Stage [11]
2015 Les Misérables Éponine Thénardier Youth Musical Theatre [9]
2016 Carrie Carrie White Young Artists Ensemble
2017 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Narrator / Ensemble Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks
2018 Into the Woods Little Red Ridinghood Cupcake Theater, Los Angeles
Next to Normal Natalie Hillcrest Center For The Arts, Thousand Oaks
Calvin Berger Bret Hudson Backstage Theatre, Hollywood [12]
2022 Into the Woods Little Red Ridinghood New York City Center, Off-Broadway
St. James Theatre, Broadway [13]
2023 The Secret Garden Martha Sowerby Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles [14]
I Can Get It for You Wholesale Miss Marmelstein Classic Stage Company, Off-Broadway [15]
2025 All Nighter Wilma The Newman Mills Theater, Off-Broadway [16]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result
2023 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical Into the Woods Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical Nominated
Tony Awards Best Featured Actress in a Musical Nominated
2025 Lucille Lortel Awards Outstanding Featured Performer in a Play All Nighter Nominated
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play Pending

References

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  1. ^ Tran, Fonticha (January 28, 2020). "High School Musical: The Series' SURPRISE Birthday Party For Julia Lester (Ashlyn)". Exclusive Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  2. ^ "It's the 'Start of Something New' as Production Begins on the Disney+ Original Series 'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series". Disney Media Center. February 15, 2020. Archived from the original on February 5, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  3. ^ Ben-Moche, Erin (December 11, 2020). "HSM Series' Julia Lester, Larry Saperstein Perform Classics for Disney+ Holiday Special". Jewish Journal. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  4. ^ "Family Links". Peter Mark Richman. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  5. ^ Dallman, Gianna (December 1, 2016). "Julia Lester dominates the stage in Carrie: The Musical". CHS Courier. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "This HSMTMTS Character Had a Big Sexuality Revelation This Week". www.out.com. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  7. ^ Wickes, Hanna (November 8, 2022). "Meet the GF: Who Is Ilana Wolpert? Meet 'HSMTMTS' Star Julia Lester's Girlfriend: Age, Job, More". J-14.
  8. ^ Blair, Caroline (November 4, 2019). "Sofia Wylie, Olivia Rodrigo & more: Meet the cast of 'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series'". Tiger Beat. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Instagram". www.instagram.com.
  10. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com.
  11. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com.
  12. ^ "Standing Room Only and Graceful Productions Present Staged Reading of New Musical CALVIN BERGER". BroadwayWorld. July 26, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  13. ^ I Know Things Now, September 29, 2022, retrieved November 19, 2023
  14. ^ 'The Secret Garden' Hold On I Ahmanson Theatre, March 6, 2023, retrieved November 19, 2023
  15. ^ Julia Lester Performs "Miss Marmelstein" from I Can Get It for You Wholesale, November 15, 2023, retrieved November 19, 2023
  16. ^ "Julia Lester, Kathryn Gallagher, Alyah Chanelle Scott, More Star in All Nighter Off-Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
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