May 10 - July 1, 2007

"Yellow Face" ~ World Premiere, Los Angeles

photo courtesey of Ryan Miller, Capture Imaging

photo courtesey of Ryan Miller, Capture Imaging

John is currently working at the Mark S. Taper Forum, part of Center Theatre Group in downtown Los Angeles, understudying the lead character, "Marcus G."

A biting new comedy from the Tony Award-winning author of M. Butterfly

David Henry Hwang writes himself into this world premiere, blurring truth and fiction to expose previously “untold events” behind his most disastrous Broadway flop.

Family politics, international intrigue and Senate investigators converge in this wild satire about cultural identity – all in pursuit of the ever-elusive truth.  After inadvertently casting a white actor in the Asian lead role, the author finds himself in an embarrassing, ironic and hilarious position that takes the PC out of PC.

Los Angeles-born playwright David Henry Hwang received the Tony Award for his Broadway debut, M. Butterfly, co-wrote the book for Elton John and Tim Rice’s musical Aida, and wrote the book for Disney’s Broadway musical Tarzan.  His adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song premiered at the Mark Taper Forum in 2001.

November, 2006:

Click Below to view the Young Actors' Thetre Camp Promo Video!

The Young Actors' Hollywood Experience Camp was back in Los Angeles!  

Six amazing students came down from San Francisco for four days and three nights of classes, seminars, meetings, tours and private career and acting coaching!

Students toured the set of SCRUBS, met the cast, and even had dinner with Zach Braff!

They watched Ms. Lynn Redgrave perform her one woman, self-written show "Nightingale"at the Mark Taper Forum.  

We had a private meeting with Ms. Redgrave after her amazing performance! 

October, 2006:

Did you see me on "Justice"?  No!

Check it out on Youtube!

Just back from the Road with Shawn Ryan and the Kelly Park Trio!

SF, Napa, LA, Phoenix, Long Beach, Chicago, Boston, New York and New Orleans! 

Not that I'm complaining!  Halloween in New Orleans!?  Now that's fun!

September, 2006:

Youtube! Check it out!

August, 2006: 

John and Shawn were busy at the Young Actors' Summer Theatre Camp in San Francisco.  The twice-a-year overnight youth theatre program is such an amazing event!  Summer Camp was from August 14th-19th and exposed students to a "Life in the Performing Arts!"  The cast of the SF tour of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" came to talk to the kids and teach them improv skills that they used in creating their characters in the show. 

Click here to read the Newspaper Article written about the camp!

Students who plan to attend the Wicked Winter Holiday Break Camp December 26th thru January 1st should register soon as the "Wicked!" themed camp is already filling up fast!  There is a LIVE BAND and a HUGE Guest coming to speak to the students!!!

July, 2006: 

John's been busy!  He just spent two days filming on the set of FOX's upcoming "Justice" opposite Victor Garber and John Benjamin Hickey. 

John Benjamin Hickey, John Ainsworth and Victor Garber on the set of "Justice"

The cast is amazing, including Kerr Smith, Rebecca Mader  and Eamonn Walker.  The show is sure to be a Huge hit!  It premieres on August 30th and airs on Wednesday nights.  Check your local listings and be sure to watch!

He and Shawn also recently held the first ever Young Actors' Theatre Camp "Hollywood Experience!"  Five students came from the San Francisco Bay Area to visit Hollywood, see an Advanced "Cast Only" screening of Sony Picture's "Monster House" and go on a VIP Tours of Sony Pictures and Imageworks to see how they made the Motion Capture Films.  Our thanks to Actor Woody Schultz! 

They also had intimate meetings with:

Josh Einsohn -- Casting Assistant "The West Wing", "The Nine"

Craig Holzberg -- Agent, Avalon Artists Group

Dan Bucatinski -- Actor/Writer/Producing Partner with

Lisa Kudrow on HBO's "The Comeback"

Glenn Morshower -- Actor, Aaron Sorkin on FOX's "24"

Paul Ryan -- Host/Producer "Paul Ryan Productions"

Tracy Weisert -- Actor/Career Coach 

& Everyone Shot Demo Reels with:

Rob Fiedler -- Director, 5 time Emmy Award Winner!

They Even Went to the set of UPN's Hit Show "Veronica Mars"!!!

and Met with the Director and the Cast!

YATC Students with "Veronica Mars" star, Kristen Bell (center)

 

May, 2006:

John's back in Los Angeles auditioning for films and television shows!  He just filmed a role as a Paramedic on the upcoming NBC pilot "Haskett's Chance" opposite the show's star Cary Elwes ("Princess Bride", "Saw".)  The episode was directed by Tim Blake Nelson ("Oh Brother Where Art Thou").  The shoot was amazing and both Tim and Cary were great to work with!  The show was created and written by Willie Reale.  Willie also does amazing work at NYC's 52nd Street Project (which he founded) by helping underpriveledged kids through theatre!

 

 

February, 2006: 

John reprised the role of "Billy Bibbitt" at the Rubicon Theatre Company in Ventura, CA.  The production of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" was amazing! 

 

"John Ainsworth's touching portrayal of stuttering boy-man Billy Bibbit"

--Daily Variety Review 

 

 

"Most moving is the stuttering Billy Bibbit,

played with eager innocence by John Ainsworth."

-- Ventura County Star Review

 

 

"A superb ensemble cast convincingly differentiates

the lovable but heartbreaking ward loonies"

-- LA Time's Critic's Pick Review 

 

John has been working in Hollywood for the past 3 years.  He's been featured on Television, in Movies and was most recently seen in a Commercial for Honda.

Numerous LA Stage appearance include "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (recently reviewed in Backstage West and called "Notable" and  "Sensitive" for his portrayal of "Billy Bibbitt") and also in the World Premiere of "Carpe Dream" (as the leading man "Randy Poole," again garnering a great review in Backstage West and the LA Weekly).  Both performances were at The Theatre District in Hollywood, CA, where John is a proud company member.

The Theatre District, at The Cast was the original Theatre-In-The-Round in Los Angeles.  Built and managed by Charlie Chaplin, it was known then as the Circle Stage, and has a long history in the Los Angeles/Hollywood theatre community!

John is also a Producer and the Asst. Director of The Young Actors' Theatre Camp, an Award Winning Non-Profit Childrens' Theatre Camp held twice a year in the San Francisco Bay Area.

John and Shawn Ryan in NYC at the Cabaret Convention.