Caroline Sanchez-Avakian (she/her) is a NYC-area playwright, Emmy-nominated TV host, actor, director, podcaster, and social justice exec by day whose new play, 1939, examines history, memory, and moral choice under pressure. Drawing on archival research and survivor testimony, her work explores how ordinary lives are shaped by systems of power, erasure, and complicity. Recently, Caroline participated in the Dramatist Guild's Plays in Progress program for her play 1939.
Born and raised in Queens, NYC, Caroline is a first-gen American born to Cuban and Spanish parents. She received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Arts from St. John's University and a Master of Arts from the former New Actors Workshop - a theatre graduate program and NYC acting conservatory where she worked one-on-one with theatre luminaries and mentors, Mike Nichols and George Morrison.
Caroline has performed Off-Broadway, originating one of the leading roles (Lao Tzu) in The Parables of Chang Joe, created and directed by Paul Sills, who was the founding director of The Second City and the Compass Players. Other favorite credits include Desdemona in an Off-Broadway production of Desdemona, Dorine in Tartuffe, and Arkadina in The Seagull. Caroline was nominated for an Emmy© Award (TV Hosting category) for her work in the WNYC/PBS TV show - Transit, Transit News. She has worked as an English and Spanish language voice over artist and as a commercial actor in national ads with brands such as Dove and Verizon. Anyone remember the Spanish language version of the Verizon, “Can you hear me now?” ads? Probably not.
Caroline has also taught film acting and directing workshops to displaced youth in East African refugee camps via her social justice work with FilmAid International where she also helped create the first annual Kakuma Film Festival.
Caroline is a proud member of the Dramatist Guild and lives in the NYC metro area with her husband, daughter, and sassy 10 lb mini dachshund, Roxy.
Born and raised in Queens, NYC, Caroline is a first-gen American born to Cuban and Spanish parents. She received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Arts from St. John's University and a Master of Arts from the former New Actors Workshop - a theatre graduate program and NYC acting conservatory where she worked one-on-one with theatre luminaries and mentors, Mike Nichols and George Morrison.
Caroline has performed Off-Broadway, originating one of the leading roles (Lao Tzu) in The Parables of Chang Joe, created and directed by Paul Sills, who was the founding director of The Second City and the Compass Players. Other favorite credits include Desdemona in an Off-Broadway production of Desdemona, Dorine in Tartuffe, and Arkadina in The Seagull. Caroline was nominated for an Emmy© Award (TV Hosting category) for her work in the WNYC/PBS TV show - Transit, Transit News. She has worked as an English and Spanish language voice over artist and as a commercial actor in national ads with brands such as Dove and Verizon. Anyone remember the Spanish language version of the Verizon, “Can you hear me now?” ads? Probably not.
Caroline has also taught film acting and directing workshops to displaced youth in East African refugee camps via her social justice work with FilmAid International where she also helped create the first annual Kakuma Film Festival.
Caroline is a proud member of the Dramatist Guild and lives in the NYC metro area with her husband, daughter, and sassy 10 lb mini dachshund, Roxy.