Ria Pavia

Ria Pavia is an award-winning director whose debut, Second Team, recently won over a dozen awards on the festival circuit from 2020- 2021. Pavia also works as a dialogue/acting coach, privately coaching dozens of actors to prepare them for set and self-tape auditions. Prior to her coaching work, Pavia worked as a stage director, helming more than 20 plays and musicals. In the theater world, she has collaborated with actors including Jennifer Aniston, Noah Wyle and Mark Ruffalo. Her debut as a director represents a new step into film and television for Pavia, who has worked extensively in the industry. Previously, she worked as a "punch up" writer for feature films and staff writer on Ask Harriet, starring Ed Asner, as well as Pauly, starring Pauly Shore. Pavia's varied experiences as a casting associate included the classic movies Twister, Dead Presidents, and Flirting with Disaster. Though she excelled in her directing roles, Pavia began her career as a commercial actor; her "big break" came via a memorable gymnastics performance in a tampon commercial in the 80s. She went on to recur on hit TV shows ranging from sitcoms like Who's the Boss and The Hughley's to the soap Santa Barb