Julia Lester
American actress and singer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Julia Lester | |
|---|---|
Lester in 2025 | |
| Born | January 28, 2000 |
| Occupations | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Known for | High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Into the Woods |
| Partner | Ilana Wolpert (2022–present) |
| Father | Loren Lester |
| Relatives | Peter Mark Richman (maternal grandfather) Lucas Richman (uncle) |
Early life and education
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
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
Film
| 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
| 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
| 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] |
| Queens | Inna | Manhattan Theatre Club, Off-Broadway |
Awards and nominations
| 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 | Nominated |
