WHO IS AVA?

Ava Bell (she/her) is a Lighting Designer, Technician and Artist currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, focusing in Lighting Design, and minoring in Communication at Hope College ('26).  

Originally coming into college with a concentration in Stage Management, Ava quickly found a passion for design and the creative collaboration that came with it. Within the past four years, she has built her portfolio through hands on experience working as an Assistant, Co, and Lighting Designer on mainstage, student and regional productions in both theatre and dance. Through this, Ava has gained knowledge of not only the building blocks of design, but how to collaborate and communicate professionally and effectively with faculty and staff, peers and other industry professionals. 

Ava works for the Arts Technical Staff at Hope College which serves the Department of Dance, Department of Music and Department of Theatre. Additionally, she works for the Department of Theatre's Publicity Team where she serves as one of the Social Media Managers. 

In November 2025, she received a Meritorious Achievement Award in Outstanding Lighting Design from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 3 for her work on Little Women: The Musical and in January 2025, she received the Regional Design Projects in Lighting Design Award for her paper project on The Last Daughter. 

Ava is committed to maintaining and creating meaningful art that reaches a multitude of audiences. She is passionate about her love for learning and hopes to use design to connect communities and shine a light on the stories of the stage.