High School Drama: Hume-Fogg Academic High School's AVA LOCKNAR

Very few actors can boast the resume, replete with some of the most iconic roles in musical theater, of Hume-Fogg Academic High School's Ava Locknar. Now a senior in Daron Bruce's and Lisa Forbis' renowned musical theatre program at the school, Ava's been at home on Broadway - albeit Nashville's Broadway - for four years, although it doesn't take much of a stretch of the imagination to envision her on the Great White Way, taking on more musical theater challenges.

With less than two weeks to go before the school's latest, much anticipated musical opens - Disney's Newsies, the amazingly popular show about the New York newsboys strike of 1899 - Ava's taking on the production's lead female role of ambitious newspaper reporter Katherine Plumber. Today, she talks with BroadwayWorld about her theater experiences to date and looks forward to what may lie ahead in her future.

Here's your chance to get to know Ava Locknar in today's edition of High School Drama:

What is your theatrical goal in life? Currently, I am applying to musical theatre programs in New York. There, I hope to earn my BFA and learn more about how to polish my skills. My goal is to be constantly working in film, and on stage, no matter how small the project is. As long as I am performing in some way, I will have met my goal.

If you could play any role in any show, what would you choose? I would love to play Dina in The Band's Visit. I recently saw this show on Broadway and I was instantly obsessed with her character. To be able to go through her emotional journey every night would be so fascinating, and I also just love her songs.

What's been your best theatrical experience to date? My favorite theatrical experience was playing Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! I have been in love with this show since I was four. I remember watching the Barbra Streisand version almost every day, and from then on, I dreamed of playing that character. Every aspect of that show was incredible, from the entire cast, to the orchestra and the costumes. I am so grateful that I got to put a little piece of me into Dolly, and that she is going to forever hold a special place in my heart.

Who are your favorite actors? My favorite actors are those who share similar traits to mine. For the stage, I have always looked up to Sutton Foster. Like me, she is a loud and tall, a tap dancer, but she is able to transform her quirks into some of the most amazing performances ever delivered on the Broadway stage. For film and television, Amy Poehler and Robin Williams have been my biggest inspirations. I've always dreamed of being on Saturday Night Live, so I am constantly studying their impressions and comedic skills. Their performances are always executed so brilliantly, and I admire how they can play any character they choose to become.

What show that you've never seen would you most like to see live, onstage? I would love to have been able to see Carol Channing in Hello, Dolly! That is such an iconic performance, so to see it live would have been incredible.

What's next in store for you, theatrically speaking? Currently, I am in rehearsals for Disney's Newsies at Hume Fogg. I am playing Katherine Plumber, the spunky female reporter, and could not be having a better experience. This show is not one to miss! Other than that, I am focusing on my college applications. I am only applying to musical theatre schools in New York because I feel that is the right place to be. My goal is to get intensive training through classes and performances that will help me break in to the world of theatre. After school, I plan to audition as much as possible. I will be happy with wherever life takes me, as long as I am performing.

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