In The Spotlight:
Paula Ali’s Commanding Presence
Stories That Stay With You
Stories That Stay With You.
Power, Presence, and Punchlines.
Hi, I’m Paula Ali (she/her)—a half-Persian performer with roots in Nashville and skills sharpened on and off Broadway. Whether belting at 54 Below, dancing with drag queens, or catching confetti in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, I bring humor, heartbreak, and unapologetic humanity to the stage.
I’ve co-produced, directed, choreographed, and starred in projects that aren’t just performances—they’re connections. Whether I’m dancing, singing, or playing outrageous (and sometimes emo) characters, my mission is clear: make you laugh till you cry or cry till you laugh, and leave you with a story that lingers long after the curtain falls.
Hi, I’m Paula Ali (she/her)—a half-Persian performer with roots in Nashville and skills sharpened on and off Off-Broadway. Whether belting at 54 Below, dancing with drag queens, or catching confetti in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, I bring humor, heartbreak, and unapologetic humanity to the stage.
I’ve co-produced, directed, choreographed, and starred in projects that aren’t just performances—they’re connections. Whether I’m dancing, singing, or playing outrageous (and sometimes emo) characters, my mission is clear: make you laugh till you cry or cry till you laugh, and leave you with a story that lingers long after the curtain falls.
Paula’s acting is more than performance—it’s connection. With a BFA in Musical Theatre from Auburn University and years of training at CAP21, her craft blends technical mastery with striking humor, emotional depth, and dynamic physicality.
Paula gravitates toward stories that celebrate overlooked voices and invite audiences into experiences of joy, heartbreak, and truth. Whether she’s bringing outrageous comedy or powerful vulnerability to a role, Paula transforms every performance into a moment audiences will never forget.
"It's also funny when the newbie (played by Paula Ali) insists she can move the syrup boxes by herself, only to get covered in syrup 10 minutes before opening time. Further mishaps, attitudes, power struggles, changing dynamics, and larger life issues threaten to bring the park crashing down around everyone's ears, but somehow the employees pull together and Randy's Dandy Coaster Castle manages to limp on for another day."
-Erin Kahn, Stage Buddy
From Comedy to Chaos: Paula Ali Shines in Randy’s Dandy Coaster Castle
Watch Paula star and dance in What If?, a visually arresting dance film exploring vulnerability and connection.
Watch Paula deliver her rendition of "Flowers" from Hadestown.
