Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Joy Lehman.
Hi Anna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always loved the arts. I was obsessed with ballet, film, and musicals from a young age. My family is very musical and artistic. My Dad Peter Lehman is a sound designer and composer who has worked on several Disney movies and works with Universal Studios to create sound for theme park rides. I was inspired to take a bit of a different route in the industry, as a performer.
I grew up in Orlando FL, where I participated in dance classes and performed in local productions of The Nutcracker. Throughout middle school and high school, I continued dance training, as well as performing in plays and musicals at local theaters. I was a performer and Teen Ambassador at The Dr. Phillips Center For Performing Arts, which taught me so much about the industry and also social media, and marketing. I also trained at Skyra Studios with Scott Poiley and Erin Beute, whose training helped me receive a scholarship to an acting conservatory in NYC.
In 2018, I moved to NYC to train at The Institute For American Musical Theatre, from which I graduated in 2020. Those years really solidified my passion and training, I got to work with so many amazing people. My acting coach Michael Minarik changed my life. I learned the importance of finding joy in your craft as well as your everyday life. The techniques I learned at IAMT helped me stay healthy, happy, grounded, and consistently working as an actor/singer/dancer. And I made the best friends that I continue to collaborate with creatively. Since 2020, I’ve been living and working in SWFL. I have performed in 10 plays and musicals, most recently as Wednesday Addams at Fort Myers Theater’s production of The Addams Family.
I also worked as a choreographer and assistant director in their youth theater program. Additionally, I have been acting in independent, short, and student films. I recently played a role in a horror short film called The Dentist, which will be released soon, as well as a couple of shorts at Full Sail University. I am a firm believer in working hard to chase after your dreams. Nothing makes me feel happier than when I am creating, connecting with different characters, and collaborating with other actors and creatives.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In 2019, I started having strange fainting episodes in dance classes in NYC and had to interrupt my training to go home to FL and seek medical care. It was a very scary time in my life and took almost two years before I was diagnosed with Dysautonomia.
It is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system and it affects many young women in their teens and 20s. I had to push through fatigue, nausea, anxiety, and dizzy spells for a long time before I found doctors who were able to diagnose and help me. I haven’t let the setback stop me from pursuing what I love, and I hope to be able to spread awareness and encourage others. I had no idea what was going on until I saw someone on TikTok talk about dysautonomia and from there I was able to find a doctor who could test me for it.
Now, I’ve learned to manage the disorder and can live a much more normal life. I hope anyone reading this going through a health struggle is inspired to keep going, advocate for themselves, and never lose hope.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I act, sing, dance, and model, as well as create content for a couple of clothing brands on social media, and a production company Wait For Me Media. I approach everything I do with joy and positivity. I believe you can do anything if you work hard, stay humble, and spread joy.
Here are some projects I have worked on:
Theater:
The Addams Family Wednesday Addams dir. Robin Dawn/ Ft. Myers Theatre
Steel Magnolias Shelby dir. Michelle Kuntze/ Ft. Myers Theatre
The Great Gatsby Myrtle Wilson dir. Michelle Kuntze/ Ft. Myers Theatre
The Diary of Anne Frank Miep dir. Kristen Wilson/ Ft. Myers Theatre
A Christmas Carol Emily, Martha Cratchit dir. Aaron Jackson/ Ft. Myers Theater
Film:
Paranoia Supporting dir. Brooke Godish/Full Sail Univ.
The Dentist Lead dir. Jaden Bush/Mount Up Media
Dr. Alan Venture Man Lead dir. Josh Callahan-Foley/ Full Sail Univ.
Love Outbreak Supporting dir. Sean Williams/ Wait for Me Media
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I have been fortunate enough to work with amazing teachers who I look up to. I try to not be nervous about networking and reaching out to people because if you are kind and have good intentions most people respect that. When I meet or work with someone new I usually ask to follow them on social media so that I can support them in that way, and if they would like to they have the option to follow me back.
It is less personal than asking for a phone number. I always make sure to thank people who help me out and I try to share as much information to help others. I don’t gatekeep! If someone asks for a headshot photographer I send them to my friends, Silky Money Studios. I show other actors the Facebook groups where I find my auditions. we are all just trying to do what we love and there doesn’t need to be competition. what is meant for you will never pass you by!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/annajoylehman?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annajoyyy?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@annajoylehman
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@annajoylehman?_t=8c2yvtNOmDu&_r=1
Image Credits
Idan Bar- Silky Money Studios, Wish Upon A Star, Parties Tom Hall – Fort Myers, and Full Sail University
