DIRECTORS

Ria Pavia is a director, producer, writer and acting/dialogue coach. Her career in the entertainment industry launched with performing gymnastics in a tampon commercial in the ‘80s. This stint propelled her into acting in TV commercials, guest spots, and film roles. Back in the day, she recurred on Married With Children, The Hughleys, and the soap opera Santa Barbara. Her career then segued into casting associate on such movies as Twister, Dead Presidents and Flirting with Disaster. Next, she donned her scribe hat, working as a staff writer on Ask Harriet (starring Ed Asner) and Pauly (starring Pauly Shore). In the theatre world, Pavia has collaborated with Noah Wyle, Jennifer Aniston and Mark Ruffalo; directing over 45 plays and musicals. She served as acting coach for 6 seasons on Freeform’s Grownish and directed her first music video starring Trevor Jackson in partnership with TikTok and Apple. The comedic sketches she directed for The Tam & Kevin Show are now viewable on Second City’s streaming platform. She was thrilled to direct Table Read My Screenplay for International Screenwriters Association at Sundance in January ‘23. Ria also directed episodes of Grownish and General Hospital in October and November last year. Pavia attended Interlochen Arts Academy for high school as a Theatre Major, studied under the late great Sanford Meisner in the West Indies, and finished up at UCLA focusing on Theatre, TV & Film.