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Julia Lester Headshot

Julia Lester

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BIO

Julia Rose Lester, born on January 28, 2000, in Los Angeles, California, is an American actress and singer best known for her work on stage and screen. Raised in Woodland Hills, she comes from a family deeply rooted in the entertainment industry—her parents, Kelly and Loren Lester, are both actors, her grandfather was actor Peter Mark Richman, and her uncle is conductor Lucas Richman. She attended Calabasas High School and has been performing since early childhood.


Lester began her professional acting career as a child, appearing in television shows like Mom, Prince of Peoria, Game Shakers, and Mr. Student Body President. Her breakout role came in 2019 as Ashlyn Caswell in Disney+’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, where she quickly became a fan favorite. In season three, her character came out as queer—mirroring Lester’s real-life identity—and her authentic portrayal resonated widely with viewers. She has since voiced characters in animated series like Hailey’s On It! and is slated to appear in Netflix’s 2025 miniseries The Four Seasons, alongside Tina Fey and Steve Carell.
On stage, Lester has earned critical acclaim for her musical theatre performances. She made her Broadway debut in 2022 as Little Red Ridinghood in the revival of Into the Woods, earning nominations for the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards. In 2023, she starred Off-Broadway as Miss Marmelstein in I Can Get It for You Wholesale and continued to build her stage resume in 2025 with a lead role in All Nighter, earning further Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk nominations. She is set to appear in the upcoming production Queens at New York City Center in late 2025.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
2025
Inna


[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Premiere Production, 2025
Ensemble ()

Wilma


[Off-Broadway]
Classic Stage Company Off-Broadway Revival, 2023
Miss Marmelstein


[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2022
Little Red Riding Hood


Movies

High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special
[ 2020 ] Self
Prom Dates
[ 2024 ] Hannah

TV Shows

Neckpee Island
Mona
Bella and the Bulldogs
Gracie Crenshaw
Spirit Riding Free
Bebe Schuman
Mom
Emily
Mr. Student Body President
[ 2017-2018 ] Ingrid
The Thundermans
Smith
Prince of Peoria
[ 2018-2019 ] Suzie
Game Shakers
Tonya Mulligan
Spirit Riding Free: Riding Academy
Bebe
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
[ 2019-2022 ] Ashlyn
Hailey's on It!
[ 2023-2024 ] Voices
The Four Seasons
[ 2025-2026 ] Lila

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play

Julia Lester, All Nighter

Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical

Julia Lester, Into the Woods

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical

Julia Lester, Into the Woods

Tony Awards - 2023 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Julia Lester, Into the Woods

Videos

News


Photos: MTC's QUEENS Opening Night Curtain Call and Party
by Bruce Glikas - Nov 6, 2025

Manhattan Theatre Club is presenting the Off-Broadway production of Queens, by Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok, and directed by Trip Cullman. See photos of Julia Lester, Marin Ireland, Anna Chlumsky and more at the opening night curtain call and after party!
Photos: Anna Chlumsky, Julia Lester and More on the QUEENS Red Carpet
by Bruce Glikas - Nov 6, 2025

Manhattan Theatre Club is presenting the Off-Broadway production of Queens, by Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok, and directed by Trip Cullman. See photos of the company on the red carpet.
MTC'S QUEENS Extends for Additional Week Off-Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 6, 2025

Manhattan Theatre Club will present a one week extension for their Off-Broadway production of Queens by Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok, and directed by Trip Cullman.
Review Roundup: QUEENS Opens at Manhattan Theatre Club
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 6, 2025

See what the critics are saying about Manhattan Theatre Club's Off-Broadway production of Queens, newly imagined by Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok, and directed by Trip Cullman. 
Photos: Anna Chlumsky, Marin Ireland and More in QUEENS at MTC
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 5, 2025

You can now get a first look at Manhattan Theatre Club's Off-Broadway production of Queens, by Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok, and directed by Trip Cullman.
Steven Pasquale Joins Season 2 of THE FOUR SEASONS at Netflix
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 29, 2025

Steven Pasquale has joined the second season of Netflix's The Four Seasons in the recurring role of Mark Brett, a new character who befriends the main cast during a vacation at the Jersey Shore.
QUEENS Begins Performances Tonight at Manhattan Theatre Club
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 15, 2025

Performances begin tonight for Manhattan Theatre Club's Off-Broadway production of Queens, newly imagined by Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok. Learn more here!
Spotlight on Plays: October 2025
by Team BWW - Oct 8, 2025

​The Fall 2025 season has officially begun, and with it, comes new plays for theatre lovers of all kinds. Whether you live for intense dramas or would rather escape with zaney comedies, there's something for everyone both on and off-Broadway in October 2025.
Video: In Rehearsals for the Second Coming of QUEENS
by Joey Mervis - Sep 24, 2025

Martyna Majok's Queens is getting ready to begin performances off-Broadway at Manhattan Theatre Club. Watch in this video as we catch up with the company during a break in rehearsals.
Photos: The Cast of Manhattan Theatre Club's QUEENS Meets the Press
by Bruce Glikas - Sep 18, 2025

The cast of Manhattan Theatre Club's upcoming Off-Broadway production of Queens recently met the press ahead of the show's first performance next month. Check out photos here!
All the Off-Broadway Shows to See in Fall 2025 - A Complete Guide
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 17, 2025

BroadwayWorld is here with your fall 2025 guide to all the shows lighting up New York’s stages. From world premieres to long-awaited revivals, this season’s Off-Broadway lineup delivers something for every kind of theater fan!
Judy Kuhn, Kevin Del Aguila, Robert Cuccioli and More Join THE BAKER'S WIFE At Classic Stage Company; Full Casting Announced
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 12, 2025

Classic Stage Company has announced full casting for Stephen Schwartz and Joseph Stein’s The Baker’s Wife, starring Ariana DeBose and Scott Bakula. Directed by Gordon Greenberg, the musical will open CSC’s 2025–26 season, running October 23–December 14, 2025, at the Lynn F. Angelson Theater.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld July 23, 2025- SUNSET BLVD. Tops the Grosses in Final Week and More
by - Jul 23, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is July 23, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Anna Chlumsky, Julia Lester and More to Star in QUEENS at MTC
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 22, 2025

Manhattan Theatre Club has revealed the cast for their Off-Broadway production of Queens by Martyna Majok. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets here.
Photos: Brooke Shields, Francis Jue and More at 2025 Actors' Equity Foundation Awards
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 27, 2025

The Actors’ Equity Foundation held its 2025 awards presentation on Monday, June 23, hosted by Tony Award-winner BD Wong. Check out photos from the event.
Marissa Bode and Julia Lester Cast in New Short Films From Disabled Filmmakers
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 18, 2025

Marissa Bode, who stars as Nessarose in the two-part film adaptation of Wicked, and Tony nominee Julie Lester are set to appear in short films created by Inevitable Foundation‘s Visionary Fellowship directors.
California's Teenage Drama Workshop Sets Summer Productions
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 16, 2025

Teenage Drama Workshop (TADW) will host a three-week public run of two stage productions, including Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical JR. and The Hobbit, beginning in July at California State University Northridge.
BD Wong Will Host the Actors' Equity Foundation Awards
by Stephi Wild - Jun 10, 2025

The Actors' Equity Foundation's 2025 awards presentation will take place this month and will be hosted by Tony Award winner BD Wong. Learn more about the awards here!
JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN and CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Lead 2025 Dorian Theater Awards
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 3, 2025

John Proctor is the Villain and Cats: The Jellicle Ball received top honors in the group's third annual Dorian Theater Awards.
2025 Drama Desk Awards Winners- The Full List
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 1, 2025

Debra Messing and Tituss Burgess hosted the 69th Annual Drama Desk Awards at NYU Skirball. Check out the full list of winners from the big night here!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Julia Lester been in?

Julia Lester has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Julia Lester been in?

Julia Lester has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Julia Lester been nominated for?

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for All Nighter, Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Into the Woods, Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Into the Woods and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Into the Woods.

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