Danville Graduate Nominated For Emmy Award

DANVILLE, CA — Ashley Nguyen DeWitt, who graduated California High School in 2007, was nominated for a Children and Family Emmy Award for Voice Directing for an Animated Series for her work on the Netflix series “Ada Twist, Scientist.” The series is based on a 2016 children’s picture book about young girl scientists, inspired by mathematician Ada Lovelace and physicist Marie Curie. The 2021 Netflix series was co-produced by Higher Ground Production, Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company.

The show was awarded a 2022 Annie Award for Best Animated Television/Broadcast Production for Preschool Children and a 2022 Children’s and Family Emmy Awards for Outstanding Preschool Animated Series.

Ashley Nguyen DeWitt said that her time at Cal High helped prepare her for her arts career. “I was a choir and drama kid all throughout my time at Cal,” she said in a statement. “My senior year, I was the female lead in the Spring musical, "Seussical" which helped me learn how to build a cartoony, comedic character. I also did the morning announcements, so speaking on mic really led me to loving voice over. Once I got through college, I realized that I was good at communicating and directing actors and it all came together after that.”

DeWitt graduated from CSU Northridge in 2011 with a BA in Theatre. She has worked in commercials, animation, and the casting/talent relations department at DreamWorks TV. She then became an animation casting and voice director for studios including Netflix, Warner Bros, Disney, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon. Her credits include “Tiny Toons Looniversity,” “Jessica’s Big Little World,” and the “Steven Universe” Anti-Racism Initiative.

She has also provided voices for “Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures,” singing vocals for “Tall Girl 2,” and the vocals for King Arthur Baking Company’s “The Power of Baking.”

“I am so beyond proud to have been nominated for an Emmy for my first animated series as voice director,” DeWitt wrote on Instagram. “Working on ‘Ada Twist’ was such a dream way to debut, and I can’t wait for what the future holds.”