Written by Alina Rose Armstrong
Distinguished by her remarkable versatility and talent, Isa Barrett stands out as an exceptionally accomplished rising senior. Balancing a role on Gossip Girl, an internship at Paramount, an off-Broadway production, and the launch of her own production company, Isa’s achievements are nothing short of impressive. Our conversation with her revealed how her upbringing in New York City — immersed in art, acceptance, and community — exposed her to diverse influences, instrumental to developing her inspired and motivated perspective.
A Foundation in the Arts: Early Influences
Growing up in New York’s West Village, Isa attended LaGuardia High School while training at the Joffrey Ballet School. Both prestigious institutions, renowned for their rigor, provide intensive, conservatory-style curricula to prepare their students for successful careers in the arts. Through these schools, Isa became uniquely immersed in the arts. However, it was through her participation in CreateHER, a non-binary and female-focused Broadway intensive, that she began to truly grasp the broader world of theatre and its many possibilities. Influenced by a feminist perspective, CreateHER introduced Isa to producing, directing, and writing, expanding her view of the industry and inspiring her with the possibility of creative autonomy.
After starting at Occidental College, initially seeking a traditional education to deepen her understanding of culture and society, Isa enrolled in a summer program at LSTFI that transformed her perspective. That term, she took several on-camera acting classes with Tim Crouse, which she credits with helping her secure her first on-screen role on Gossip Girl. She immediately felt the support and vibrant energy at LSTFI and knew she wanted to return to pursue her studies full-time. She discovered that NYU’s BFA partnership at LSTFI provided the ideal environment to merge the knowledge from her academic classes with the insights and techniques offered at the studio.
From the Studio to the Stage
While training intensively at the studio from 9 to 6, Isa simultaneously booked an off-Broadway show at St. Ann’s Warehouse — NY Times Critic’s Pick, The Patient Gloria — and managed evening performances in Brooklyn for a month and a half. Despite her busy schedule, studying at LSTFI kept her grounded. She emphasizes how relaxation exercises, sensory work, and breathing techniques became essential for managing her workload. Her commitment to these practices was so strong that she made it a priority to never miss a class, remaining steadfast in her dedication to the Strasberg curriculum.
Isa’s involvement in performance didn’t stop at St. Ann’s Warehouse; she participated in LSTFI’s 2023 StrasbergWORKS production, interned at Paramount, produced several short films and, most importantly, launched her own production company, Cherubs Productions. Isa founded with company with best friends Lily Kaplan and Aliza Gandhi, whom she has been collaborating with since the trio met at a film camp at age 16.
Despite her impressive individual achievements, Isa believes that the foundation of her production company has been her most fulfilling endeavor. She describes her collaboration with other artists to be the most rewarding and impactful aspect of her career, reflecting her genuine humility and appreciation for collective success over personal recognition. The company’s mission – creating “theater and film for young people, by young people” – reflects her dedication to empowering her peers through the arts. To that end, Isa emphasizes that, while art inherently reflects personal experiences, its true purpose is to impact others, drive change, and foster a sense of community. Reflecting on her own journey, she remarks, “My life has changed so drastically since I got away from myself and began to focus on the whole of all the incredibly talented people around me.”
Daughters of the Ruling Class
Evidently, Isa’s vision and dedication have paid off. Cherubs Productions has triumphantly launched its debut theatrical production, Daughters of the Ruling Class. Directed by fellow NYU student Aidan La Poche, this play explores the lives of friends intricately entangled in an elite society. Their world begins to unravel in the face of an impending global catastrophe, all on the eve of a prestigious ball. With its examination of power, privilege, relationships, and femininity within a world of status and elitism, the play promises a gripping narrative, brought to life by a stellar cast including Brennan Keeley, Lucinda Dunham, Kalissa Persaud, Mads Daily, Olivia Vitarelli, Renée-Nicole Powell, and Vivian Hunt.
NYU student Pearl Marden has teamed up with NYC-based independent designers Amanda Tabet, Fiona Frohnapfel, and Zepherina to create costumes for the play’s five chapters, offering a distinctive approach to interpreting the characters, their world, and the events of each act. Ultimately, the production is a culmination of work from numerous young artists, from NYU and across the city, coming together to create art that resonates with and entertains young audiences.
The production will be held at The 303, a theater located in the cutting-edge nightlife venue The Stranger NYC. Daughters of the Ruling Class will run from September 17 through September 19. Following the final performance, guests are invited to an exclusive after-party in the nightclub space, meticulously designed by Crosby Studios founder Harry Nuriev.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit The Stranger NYC’s website.