Meet the Spellers: Ava Arangua Francis

Introduce yourself! Where have audiences seen your work before and what's coming up next for you?

My name is Ava Arangua Francis, and I play Olive Ostrovsky. This is my first show at Vintage, but I have also performed in Avenue Q at Miners Alley, Into the Woods at Arvada Center, and Matilda at Town Hall.

What is your favorite aspect of your role within the Spelling Bee team? What makes it unique?

My favorite part about playing Olive is that she finds strength in being kind. The world is so hard on her, and she finds her voice not by hardening with it but by softening in spite of it. Gentleness in female characters is so often seen as naivety or a lack of character, but this show doesn't give into that pitfall. Olive chooses to show the compassion she herself does not receive, which shows enormous courage.

What would you say to an audience member who's never seen this show before?

I would tell audiences members that they are in for a hilarious, tremendously fun show with a lot of heart!