“IT CAN BE HARD HAVING LATE NIGHTS, WHEN I GET HOME AT MIDNIGHT
AND HAVE TO GET UP EARLY FOR SCHOOL.”
AYLA SCHWARTZ
The run only extended to nine
shows, but the timing was perfect,
because 10 days after being cast as
Helen Keller, following multiple
callbacks, she was cast as young
Elsa. “Before I found out, my mom
suggested that I write a congratula-
tions letter to myself, and another
that said, ‘I know you must be dev-
astated, but you’re going to keep on
going and you’ll get the next thing,’”
Schwartz says. “My mom kept them
in the car, and after school one day
she walked me down to Watchung
Plaza and gave me one of the letters.”
When she s aw the “Congratulations”
that she’d written to herself in her
own handwriting, she cried.
The company headed to Denver
for seven weeks of performances,
and in December received confir-
mation that the show was officially
Broadway-bound. The show opened
on Broadway on March 22. Schwartz
continues to commute into the
city with Caldwell resident Mattea
Conforti, who plays young Anna.“It
can be hard having late nights, when
I get home at midnight and have to
get up early for school,” Schwartz
says. “On Wednesdays, I have two
shows, and my teachers are nice help-
ing me with the work I have to do.”
Not only that, but Watchung School’s
kindergarten and second grade class-
es have come in to see her perform.
Even as she plays young Elsa on
Broadway, Schwartz is looking ahead
at future opportunities. She applied
to and was accepted at Broadway
Buddies, another program in which
actors are paired with Broadway
veterans. Recently, she was mentored
by Alex Dreier, 13, a Glen Ridge
resident and veteran of Broadway’s
Billy Elliot and Finding Neverland.
His advice: Be “inquisitive” in the
callback room, and take risks. ■
OPENING NIGHT Schwartz poses pre-performa
nce
on a very special evening in March.
MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE BACK TO SCHOOL 2018
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