Spotlight on Ashlyn Lopez

Ever since she was a toddler, Ashlyn Lopez has shown a natural love for performing.

Ashlyn Lopez, right, with Lindsey Davis

“When she was three, she memorized all the songs of the Disney princess soundtrack. She sang and acted them out,” said Ashlyn’s mom Tobi Porter.

In addition to performing in the upcoming production of Joust! A Mighty Medieval Musical at the Patel Conservatory, Ashlyn will soon be making her television debut on the popular CW series The Vampire Diaries.

Ashlyn scored a guest role as a young version of the character Nadia in an upcoming episode, due to air March 6.

Ashlyn started theater classes at the Patel Conservatory when she was four years old.

“I like coming to the Conservatory because I learn lots of things, like how to act and dance and sing. It also helps me meet more friends,” said Ashlyn.

Now, at age 9, she’s in her fourth Patel Conservatory Theater production. She plays Merlin in the light-hearted Joust!, a musical take on The Sword in the Stone, performed for kids by second through fourth graders.

She says her experience with PCT productions and classes has helped her in auditions for professional roles.

She recently auditioned in New York City for the role of Matilda for the Broadway production of Matilda the Musical.

“It was like being at the Conservatory because when you audition for plays...I had to get up and sing in front of judges,” said Ashlyn.

“It was very much like how Patel does their casting for their shows,” said Porter. “[Ashlyn] didn’t seem to be phased at all.”

Porter credits the Patel Conservatory for giving Ashlyn the opportunity to do what she enjoys, and get pre-professional experience in the process.

“She knows the concept of stage left and stage right, and it’s all been fun for her. She gets to do something she loves to do,” said Porter.

As Merlin, Ashlyn enjoys dressing up and becoming a totally different character.

“I like that he has a beard...and that I have to dye my hair white,” she said.

Come see Ashlyn in Joust! A Mighty Medieval Musical, which runs Thur., Feb. 27  through Mar. 8 in TECO Theater.