Meet Adria Dawn! Adria is a talented multi-hyphenate who shines both in front of and behind the camera. In front of the camera, Adria is most known for playing the dysfunctional outcast April Tuna on Ryan Murphy's first series, the high school cult hit, Popular. Behind the camera, Adria is an accomplished director, writer, and Producer, who is most known for her films about social change. She’s recently won two Telly Awards (Yay, Adria!), one for her multi-award-winning Black Lives Matter film, Karen, and the other for her alcohol use disorder film, Gray Area. She is also known for the educational film series Kids Matter where she just released their latest film – Identity. As if all of that weren’t enough to keep anyone busy, Adria has also begun work on a memoir that I’m sure will be both enlightening and entertaining. Last but never least important! Adria is one of my oldest & very best friends… we met last century while we were both attending the University of Illinois and we’ve been there for each other both professionally and personally throughout our lives. I really enjoyed getting to both, chatting with Adria, and helping shine a light on what a fantastic artist and human she is. This conversation is a testament to how important it is as an artist to build and maintain a tribe of positive collaborators and friends to help us along this journey we call life. Yay friendship!

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Adria’s Bio -

Adria Dawn is a multi-hyphenate who grew up in the Midwest, and broke into Hollywood working as a Levi's model. As an actor she is most known for playing the dysfunctional outcast April Tuna on Ryan Murphy's high school cult hit Popular, receiving a nomination from Jane Magazine for "Gutsiest Woman on Television." Adria's roster of acting credits steadily expands, always adding memorable roles to her resume.

As a director, writer and producer, Adria is most known for her films for social change. She recently won two Telly Awards, one for her multi award-winning Black Lives Matter film, Karen, and the other for her alcohol use disorder film, Gray Area. She is also known for the educational film series Kids Matter. She operates Tarleton/Dawn Productions with her husband and partner, David Tarleton. TDP is a boutique production company whose award winning projects include series, plays, music videos and films.

As an educator, Adria specializes in teaching on-camera acting. She teaches at Acting Studio Chicago, the Performer’s School, and out of her private studio. She has toured colleges throughout the United States and Europe, teaching the art and business of acting for film and television.