<body><div>To Ariel Shani, acting is her highest purpose and she views it as a storytelling medium, allowing herself to connect with the audience while doing so.Growing up in Tel Aviv, Shani acted mainly in community theater productions. Now, the New York City resident is on tour as an ensemble member with the musical, “Mean Girls.”“So far, tour has been a dream for me,” Shani said in an email to the Cleveland Jewish News from Washington, D.C. “Usually, every week or so, we are picking up and moving to a new city to perform. So, I get to do lots of sightseeing and exploring, as well as performing. As an actor, you dream about being at a high-level professional company for so long that when it happens, a bit of imposter syndrome and anxiety can creep in pretty quickly. To my surprise, my cast and crew had anticipated all my nerves and fears, and have been nothing but supportive and loving since.”Describing the cast and crew as a “big family,” Shani said everyone is “so kind and understanding.” Cleveland is the third leg of the tour, coming to Playhouse Square from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3.Shani started acting when her grandmother talked her into auditioning for the little girl in “Tenderland” with the Israeli Opera via a McDonald’s bribe when she was around 8 or 9.“I must have left a great impression because I booked the role on the spot, got McDonald’s and have been acting on stage ever since,” Shani said.When she was about 10, Shani said she joined a “famous group” in Tel Aviv called, HaShchenim Shel Chich, in which she acted in “Spring Awakening,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “13: The Musical” and landed the lead as Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde.”Following her service in the Israel Defense Forces, Shani said she studied at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts theater program, as well as two years at the Atlantic Acting School, a part of NYU’s drama program. Additionally, she completed two years at the music theater program, The New Studio on Broadway, and double-majored in media, culture and communications through the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development.Coming from a traditional, secular upbringing, Shani said growing up in Israel meant being surrounded by ubiquitous holidays, Shabbat dinners and general like-mindedness.“Meaning, we celebrate the holidays, have Shabbat dinners and cook all the foods, but for the sake of tradition and family and community, not so much for religion’s sake,” she said. “Bringing family and friends together is the Jewish value we practice at its core.”Depending on the holiday and where the company is at on the tour, Shani said she will try to cook the corresponding traditional food with the holiday.“The cast is very supportive so even if they don’t understand, they’ll join for the fun of it,” she said.While she has not visited Cleveland yet, Shani said she’s excited to explore “The Land” and what it has to offer.“I am looking forward to seeing the thriving Jewish community, eat some good food and put on a great show.” Shani said.Shani is not the only Jewish actor in the show. Natalie Shaw who plays Cady Herron is also Jewish.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Jewish actors coming to town for ‘Mean Girls’

To Ariel Shani, acting is her highest purpose and she views it as a storytelling medium, allowing herself to connect with the audience while doing so. Growing up in Tel Aviv, Shani acted mainly in community theater productions. Now, the New York City resident is on tour as an ensemble member with the musical, “Mean Girls.”