The Story Behind the Work
Actor, singer, coach, and the woman behind all of it.
My Story
Performing has been the throughline of my entire life. Long before the degrees or the classroom, I was the kid who wanted to be on a stage every chance I got. That's never changed. Right now, in this chapter, I'm doing some of the most creatively alive work of my career, on stage, on screen, and in the audition room, still actively pursuing the work I've always wanted.
I trained seriously for it. A BM and MFA in Musical Theatre, and more than a decade building a career as a performer before I added something unexpected: nearly ten years teaching musical theatre at the college level. I loved the classroom, and I believed deeply in what good training could do.
Eventually I saw enough of what training too often becomes, fear-based, built on tearing performers down rather than building them up, that I knew I couldn't keep participating in it the way it was. So I stepped away from academia and brought everything I'd learned, onstage and in the classroom, into something smaller and more direct: coaching performers one-on-one, the way I wish I'd been coached myself.
These days, acting is where most of my energy goes, on stage, on camera, and now across streaming as well. Coaching is something I do alongside it, not instead of it, work I care about deeply, but never the whole story.
Our Story
My partner Tim and I met performing on cruise ships. We left our last contract together, eventually married, and spent the next chapter building academic careers in theatre. Within a few years of each other, we both walked away from academia to return to what we actually loved.
He's now one of the most sought-after violinists for luxury weddings and events. I'm acting and coaching full-time.
We built this life on purpose. It wasn't accidental, and it wasn't easy, it was a long series of choices, some hard, some wrong, all of them instructive. We're living the version of this life we actually wanted, and neither of us takes that lightly.
That's the energy I bring into every acting job and every coaching session.
Credentials & Quick Facts
BM in Musical Theatre, University of Central Oklahoma
MFA in Musical Theatre, San Diego State University
10+ years as a college musical theatre professor
Highlighted musical theatre credits: Beverley, Annette & Others in Come From Away (2026), Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Janet Van de Graaff in The Drowsy Chaperone, Caroline Neville in Titanic, Mary Martin-of-Tours in Sister Act, Princess Fiona in Shrek, Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Alison Bechdel in Fun Home.
Current on-camera work: The Party at Clarissa Dalloway's (Lead), What Was Mine (Supporting), and three released micro dramas, My Quest for Harvard (supporting/Tiktok), Wet Hot Summer with the Boy I Lost (supporting/Dramabox) and The Double Life of a Cell Block King (Reelshot). National broadcast and international corporate commercial work.
YouTube: newly launched Musical Theatre Pro with Ashlee Espinosa, career insights, audition strategy, and the business of performing. Online Teaching Made Simple (28k+ subscribers), Canvas tutorials, tech, and virtual teaching tips.
Bi-coastal between LA and NYC with summers in Mexico, but most days you'll find me at my main home in the OC, cooking and in the garden.
Now Playing
Beverley, Annette & Others, Come From Away
"Her talents soar as high as the pilot she portrays."
— Michael Woody, Dayton Local
“Vocally impressive as pilot Beverly/Annette, the showiest track in the musical.”
— Scott Cain, Talkin' Broadway
"Want to run your audition by an experienced director? Ashlee. Want advice from someone who is actively auditioning right now? Ashlee. Need help with the business side of musical theatre from an experienced entrepreneur? Ashlee."
Melissa Momboisse — Actor, Singer, Dancer
"Ashlee's coaching and guidance were invaluable in helping me land the role of Sam on Royal Caribbean's production of Mamma Mia. Her expertise and support made a significant impact on my audition process."
Jerrod Cate — Actor & Singer
"I've gotten things done that I've been meaning to do for years, creating a YouTube channel, reel, new headshots, and a website. Now I feel like I've taken control of my career and I'm able to run it like a business."
Vanessa Evans — Actor, Singer, Director
"After college, I had a hard time finding where I belonged because I felt alone and scared to have a niche. Ashlee helped me find a clear lane to work in, not to get rid of my range, but to market myself professionally and confidently."
Maddie Cook — Actor, Singer & Dancer
"Ashlee has been a true godsend for me. She helped me redesign and update my website, build an email list, and create a professional email campaign to promote my shows. I just had my NYC cabaret debut at 54 Below with her help."
Laurie Roldan — Cabaret Artist
"I met Ashlee after receiving zero acceptances to any MT programs. With her guidance, I received 5 acceptances into well-renowned programs. She never spoon-fed me, she has an amazing ability to bring out your own interpretation through the questions she asks."
Sukha Yang — Baldwin Wallace BM Musical Theatre Student