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BarbaraRubin

@barb_a_roo

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Director | Dialect Coach |🇿🇦 🗽 ♌️ ☕️ | SDC | Associate Director @northcountrybroadway

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“If it be not now, it will come: the readiness is all.”

Over the past few days I’ve been reflecting over this amazing experience trying to find the words to capture my gratitude, but no words can truly do it justice. I am so so honored that I got to tell this story. Hamlet pushed me more than anything I’ve ever experienced. Living his story helped me start to over come my own fears of death and I could closely relate to his constant racing thoughts. I had many days filled with self doubt and fear but being surrounded by such an amazing cast and director I never felt helpless. Thank you to all of the coaches who came in and taught me such valuable lessons, thank you to the cast who made everyday fun and explorative, thank you @barb_a_roo for giving me this opportunity and the advice and guidance that will stick with me for life. And finally, thank you Hamlet for letting me be your vessel. 🖤💀

Wonderful photos by @bronwen.sharp

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Our 2026–2027 Company’s First Series opens with Hamlet by William Shakespeare, directed by Barbara Rubin.

Hamlet
By: William Shakespeare
Directed by: Barbara Rubin

What if the truth uncovered is worse than any lie?
A King has died. A country has hastily moved on. A secret refuses to remain buried.
Hamlet returns home to a Denmark transformed: his uncle Claudius - now King - has married his mother, Queen Gertrude. When the ghost of his father appears with a shocking revelation, Hamlet vows to avenge his father’s murder. Grief gives way to suspicion as he begins to investigate everyone around him in his search for evidence.
But how deep is the cover up? And what happens when the search for certainty begins to consume the seeker?

Shakespeare’s most performed tragedy explores vengeance, madness and murder – and the dangerous cost of knowing too much. Hamlet is a wild ride: volatile, poignant, darkly funny, and as urgent as ever.

Reservations are now available through the link in our bio.

Our 2026–2027 Company’s First Series continues with Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, adapted and directed by Sheila Bandyopadhyay

Twelfth Night
By: William Shakespeare
Adapted and Directed by: Sheila Bandyopadhyay

Shakespeare’s witty story of disguise, desire, and reinvention lives afresh in the glamour and grit of 1930’s New York, where jazz plays on the streets and everyone is falling for the wrong person.

The shipwrecked Viola is separated from her twin brother Sebastian on the sea. Upon reaching dry land, she reinvents herself as a young man and finds work with the lovesick Duke Orsino. The Duke, hopelessly pining for the Countess Olivia, sends Viola to plead his case, and Olivia promptly falls for the disguised Viola instead. And if that wasn’t enough, Viola is secretly falling for Orsino!

When Sebastian unexpectedly arrives, the confusion reaches a fever pitch and everyone is forced to confront who they are, who they think they love, and who they have been pretending to be.

This joyful comedy is a celebration of love in all its confusion, madness and potential to reveal and heal.

Reservations are now available through the link in our bio.

#AADAedu

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Elizabeth Luke ☆ AADA Grad Series, 2026
The Welkin by Lucy Kirkwood

It was such an honor and pleasure to be part of this incredible play and be able to portrait this strong woman, Elizabeth Luke, aka Lizzy.

It was a wild ride from the beginning till the end, to embody Lizzy, a woman who has been through so many heartbroken things, and yet is still strong-willed, independent, clever and humorous (occasionally sarcastic 😏).

And the pleasure to work with our amazing director Barbara @barb_a_roo , our wonderful cast of talented, hardworking actors.
I'm very grateful to get to know all of you and work with each one of you. Thank you for all the memories we created together.

Until we meet again ❤️‍🔥

Act 2 photos by @dannybristollphoto

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It was such a pleasure to participate in The Welkin (by Lucy Kirkwood) as Katy, Alice, and the 1980s Cleaning Woman! I had so much fun finding each of these characters and even getting a chance to be a ghost/crow! It was an honor being a part of such a powerful play!

A special thank you to the director Barbara Rubin, for trusting me to be a part of this process and the ensemble. And also a thank you to the beautiful cast for taking me in and being so welcoming and hardworking! You guys are amazing!

Second act pictures by: @dannybristollphoto

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It has been an honor and absolute joy to embody the fiery and courageous woman that is Kitty Givens - I’ll miss every second of Kitty, from her humor to her pain, and I’ll especially miss speaking in a Scottish accent everyday

Kitty Givens - The Welkin (AADA Grad Series, 2026)

Act 2 Photography by @dannybristollphoto

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✨ Today was the first rehearsal for the cast and creative team of THE LOVED ONES, and there’s already some magic in the air.

We’re thrilled to begin work on Erica Murray’s moving and hilarious new Irish play.

Starring Alana Raquel Bowers, Donna Lynne Champlin (Irish Rep Debut!), Clare O’Malley, and Maryann Plunkett.

Directed by Nicola Murphy Dubey, THE LOVED ONES is a powerful story about motherhood, grief, and the families we find when life doesn’t go to plan.

First presented at Irish Rep in November 2025 as part of the New Works Fall Festival, starring Alana Raquel Bowers, Rachel Dratch, Clare O’Malley, and Maryann Plunkett.

June 13–August 2, 2026, on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage.

🎟 Tickets at the link in bio.

#TheLovedOnes #IrishRep #EricaMurray #NewPlayDevelopment

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Continuing our Faculty Tips Series 🎭

Straight from the classroom: powerful takeaways from the artists who train tomorrow’s actors.

Featuring Barbara Rubin, Company Director, and her 3 Qualities for Actors in Rehearsals

#AADA #ActingTips #ActingTraining #FacultySpotlight #AADAedu

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Company 2025–2026. 🎭

A year defined by discipline, artistry, collaboration, and growth.

From first rehearsal to final bow, this class embraced the journey fully.

We are incredibly proud of all they’ve accomplished✨

#AADACompany #ClassOf2026 #AADAedu #TheAmericanAcademyOfDramaticArts

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I’ve never been the best when it comes to change or goodbyes. Not that this is a goodbye. But, man… this is a tough one. Before starting at AADA I didn’t have much when it came to friends. It’s no secret I went through a very dark chapter of my life before coming here that left me in a very lonely place and I had lost touch with who I am. I showed up with the intention of going to class, doing my work and not letting myself get close to anyone because I didn’t want to hurt or get hurt anymore. What I’m walking away with is so much more than a certificate. I’m walking away knowing that for the first time in a long time I have people to lean on. People who encourage me instead of enable me. People to support me instead of manipulate me. People who love me instead of use me! I could not be more proud of what I have accomplished here! Not just as an actor but as a person. It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears but I finally recognise myself again. I know who I am and I know what I am capable of! But more than that I am so unbelievably proud of everyone I went on this journey with. Their strength, kindness, smiles, humor and courage is truly an inspiration to me and anyone else who has the privilege to know them and work with them. I’m so honored to call them my friends, costars and colleagues!

📸: @bronwen.sharp

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Started with oysters and martinis ,ended the night with purple lotus tea. Wondering what caused my morning headache.

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I know I’ve already posted enough about the past 2 shows but, while I still have 2 months left of the company year, this was the last time I will be doing theatre at the academy I wanted to post to celebrate all 4 plays I’ve done throughout company! From the cocky but loving Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream to the snarky yet sweet and bony Tony in The Hills of California to the senseless and silly Margaret Dashwood in Sense & Sensibility to the prickly and complicated Cliff Carlson in Luna Gale. I have come to love each character and allow them to take their place in my heart. To be consistently trusted with portraying such challenging roles has been one of the greatest pleasures of my professional life and have brought me closer to understanding myself as a person. And to get to do it all with such brilliant casts and directors as well as the insanely hard working crew all of whom I consider great friends and mentors, has been so much fun. It’s experiences like this that keep me both sane and insane simultaneously and keep me looking forward to what’s next

AMSND, S&S, LG 📸: @hanjiedidthis
THOC 📸: @bronwen.sharp

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SENSE AND SENSIBILITY 🪩 By Kate Hamill Directed by José Zayas
 📆Dec. 9, 10 & 11 at 7:00 PM

Cast Mrs. Jennings … Gianna Avenoso Mrs. Dashwood / Anne Steele … Zeynep Kaptan Marianne Dashwood … Jennica Leona John Willoughby / John Dashwood … Tom Marshall Colonel Brandon / Thomas … Nate Metcalf Margaret Dashwood / Mrs. Ferrars … Auryn Rothwell Elinor Dashwood … Sophia Schulitz Fanny / Lucy / Lady Middleton … Sarita Trujillo Gonzalez Edward Ferrars / Robert Ferrars … Johnny Yan John Middleton / Doctor … Guy Zahut

📸: @hanjiedidthis

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