Commack High School alumna of the Class of 2013, Ashley Reyes, is making her Broadway debut in “The Play That Goes Wrong.”

The first show that Reyes performed in was “How to Eat Like a Child,” at The Cultural Arts Playhouse. Although Reyes only had one line, this experience was the kickoff to her acting career.

“I knew I wanted to be on Broadway from the first time I was on stage,” said Reyes. 

At the age of six, Reyes knew she had a passion for acting that she wanted to pursue. 

“I remember feeling so excited and confident doing [the show] that I needed to do it again,” said Reyes.

At nine years old, Reyes had her first paid acting job. 

“I did a commercial for MTV where I had to sing songs by ‘Black Sabbath’ to promote ‘The Osbournes,’” said Reyes. 

For many actors, it could take years before they are hired for a paid acting job.

Throughout high school, Reyes performed in shows both inside and outside of Commack’s theatre department. According to her former teacher, Karen Malone, although Reyes had incredible talent as a ninth grader, she did not want to stand out. This quickly changed after leaving Commack.

After she graduated high school, Reyes attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art for drama. This rigorous program consisted of 13 hours a day, six days a week of nothing but acting. 

“I knew I had to be an actress, and I wanted a program that would challenge me,” said Reyes. 

In her final years at the academy, Reyes had the opportunity to work with the creators of “The Play That Goes Wrong.” When she was back in New York, she saw the show, and was invited to a callback session a day later. 

After the audition process was over, she learned that she had been cast as a performer.

According to Reyes, the best way to prepare for a career in musical theatre is “going out and doing loads of community theater before auditioning for colleges and for professional theater.” 

In addition, she recommends to get lots of formal vocal, movement and acting training.

As a field of work, acting is very mentally challenging.

“There is so much rejection involved on a professional level that you start to question everything,” said Reyes. 

Although it may be difficult, and actors may be out of work, it’s worth it in the end.

Although there is no prior training or experience required to become an actor, Reyes said to just, “stick with it.” 

Pursuing a career in acting is different for everyone, and you “can’t compare your journey to someone else’s,” said Reyes. 

She believes that if aspiring actors stay true to themselves, everything else will fall into place. 

The last piece of advice Reyes gave was to never forget to have fun. That, and she recommended seeing “The Play That Goes Wrong” on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre. 

Tickets may be purchased online, as well as in person at the theatre and also at the TKTS stand in Times Square.l