Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre is delighted to announce Ayla Collins as the recipient of MVCCT’s 2026 Senior Scholarship.

Ayla has been involved with MVCCT for the past thirteen years. She discovered her love of performing and theatre at just five years old when she first attended MVCCT’s summer camp!

Ayla’s first show with MVVCT was three years later, in the 2016 production of The Little Mermaid, performing as a fish and cook. Ayla then went on to participate in nine additional MVCCT musicals and plays including: The Wizard of Oz (Munchkin), Grease (Cheerleader), Charlotte’s Web (Templeton), Peter Pan (Tinkerbell), Shrek (Young Fiona), Matilda (Matilda), Sherlock Holmes (Mrs. Scruples), Puffs (Cedric), and Spongebob (Sandy). Additionally, Ayla has worked backstage during shows and has been an assistant teaching artist at MVCCT’s summer camps. In her scholarship application, Ayla credited the amazing mentors and role models at MVCCT for teaching her professionalism, respect and hard work.

Ayla will be graduating from West Potomac High School this spring after performing in 12 productions at the high school over four years; most recently as the Witch in Into the Woods.

After graduation, Ayla plans to attend Ithaca College of Music, Theatre and Dance to study acting.

MVCCT wishes the best of luck to Ayla, and to all the amazing seniors who submitted for this year’s scholarship. MVCCT is so proud to have been part of your theatrical journey. We are so impressed with everyone’s stellar accomplishments, and we can't wait to see what you do next.

MVCCT has been offering scholarships to graduating high school seniors since 2007. For more information about MVCCT programs, auditions, and shows, please visit mvcct.org.