Photo Provided Ava Wilson appears this weekend in the lead role of “The Girl” in a production of “Once” at American University in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ohio Valley native Ava Wilson is performing as the lead in “Once” for the second time at American University.

The daughter of Wilson Furniture owner/operators Jason and Leah Wilson, Ava grew up locally and in Columbiana and is a 2021 Columbiana High School graduate. Now a sophomore at American University in Washington, D.C., she is taking to the stage at The Greenberg Theater in Washington, D.C., each night this weekend. Opening night was Thursday.

Wilson will be tapping into her young beginnings of taking dance at Toni Zeakes Performing Arts Center and attending Music Camp at St. Michael’s, both in Wheeling.

“I started at a young age and have followed that passion ever since,” Wilson said. “I am so happy to be able to perform a role that has a beautiful piano score while being a part of this incredible cast of ‘ONCE.'”

Wilson is playing the role of “The Girl” in the production. “Once” received 11 Tony Award nominations, winning eight, including Best Musical in 2012.

“I am so happy to work under the direction of Colleen Sullivan and my co-star Ben Clark here at American,” Wilson said. “A shout out also to my hometowns of Bridgeport, Ohio. and Wheeling, West Virginia!”

Wilson is a former ballet student and dancer of Ballet Western Reserve, Youngstown, voice student of Amanda Beagle, Liz Rubino and Claudia Benack of Pittsburgh; acting student of Liz Rubino, Jill Wadsworth of Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh CLO, and a former ballet student of The New Haven Ballet, Connecticut.

Wilson is a musical theater and psychology major at American University.