WHO IS AVA?

Ava Bell (she/her) is a Lighting Designer, Technician and Artist based in the Midwest. She is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Lighting Design at the University of Iowa ('29) and recently completed her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, focusing in Lighting Design, and a minor in Communication at Hope College ('26).  

Originally coming into undergrad with a concentration in Stage Management, Ava quickly found a passion for design and the creative collaboration that came with it. Within her collegiate and professional career she has built her portfolio through hands on experiences, working as an Assistant, Co, and Head Designer on departmental mainstages, student produced work, and regional productions in both theatre and dance. 

Ava works for the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Iowa as a Graduate Assistant in their Electrics Shop. Additionally, she works in the MOCAP/VR Studio, which serves the Performing Arts at Iowa as a whole. 

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 Hope College's Little Women: The Musical and in January 2025, she received the Regional Design Projects in Lighting Design Award for her independent 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.