Tala Ashe has captivated audiences on screen as a time-traveling hacker in Legends of Tomorrow and on stage in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play English. Now making her Broadway debut, she brings a deeply personal perspective to her role, exploring themes of language, identity, and cultural assimilation. In this conversation, Tala opens up about her own experiences growing up in Ohio after emigrating from Iran, the complexities of representation in Hollywood, and the emotional weight of performing English on Broadway. She shares the challenges of switching between accents on stage, how her family’s journey shaped her artistic path, and why she’s fiercely selective about the roles she takes. With humor, insight, and vulnerability, Tala offers a thoughtful perspective on storytelling, advocacy, and what it truly means to find your voice. Tala Ashe is an Iranian-American actress best known for her role as Zari Tomaz/Zari Tarazi in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. She has also appeared in Smash, American Odyssey, Covert Affairs, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and As the World Turns. On stage, she received critical acclaim for her performance in English, Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, and is now making her Broadway debut in its transfer. A graduate of Boston University’s School of Theatre, she has built a career focused on complex, fully realized characters that challenge stereotypes and expand representation. Connect with Tala: 📷 Instagram: @talaashe Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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