Little Miami School Fourth Grade

Edmonds native Brett Davern stars in MTV's 'Awkward'

An actor's journey often takes unforeseen twists and turns. For Edmonds native Brett Davern, that meant he auditioned for one role on MTV's new comedy "Awkward" but ended up playing a different character all together.

A scripted comedy that premiered in late July to decent ratings and glowing reviews, "Awkward" follows the travails of 15-year-old Jenna (Ashley Rickards, "One Tree Hill") after she loses her virginity to her crush, Matty (Beau Mirchoff, "Desperate Housewives"), who then doesn't want to be seen with her at school.

Davern initially auditioned to play Matty, but creator/executive producer Lauren Iungerich saw Davern more as Jake, a popular high schooler who dates the head cheerleader but treats Jenna with kindness, hinting at the possibility of a love triangle to come.

"Brett is not only a very funny actor, he's very empathetic and he's got a huge range," Iungerich said. "Jake is an old soul from the get-go ... Jake thinks for himself and not with the team. That's just something Brett had innately."

The road to a starring role in "Awkward" began at Madrona School in Edmonds.

"It's weird to say an elementary school has a drama program, but they actually do," Davern said, noting he auditioned for his first musical in fourth grade.

At Edmonds Woodway High School, Davern wanted to join the freshman football team, but being "below five feet tall and less than 100 pounds, I got my butt kicked."

Instead, he auditioned for the soprano lead in "Oliver!" when his voice had yet to change.

"It was great for me, but it also upset all the senior girls because usually Oliver is played by a girl in high school," Davern recalled. "I got the lead but alienated the girls, which was not a smart move."

Davern credits one of his high-school teachers, David Quinn, with introducing him to Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center in Loch Sheldrake, N.Y. Davern attended the theater camp for three summers with actor Sebastian Stan ("Gossip Girl," "Captain America"); other notable alumni include Zach Braff ("Scrubs"), Lea Michele ("Glee") and Natalie Portman ("Black Swan").

After graduating from high school in 2001, Davern took classes at Shoreline Community College — no general education, just voice lessons and arts classes, making it "my own little conservatory" — and then attended a two-year program at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York.

After graduation, Davern got a manager and went to work as his manager's assistant, assuring he'd know about audition notices that came into the office. He landed a lead role in the 2006 independent film "Beautiful Ohio," directed by actor Chad Lowe. William Hurt and Davern played a father and son in the 1970s.

Ultimate Cheerleaders » Ashley Fashions a Dance Career with the ...

Ashley F. is one of three “Ashleys” on the Adrenaline Rush Dancers (wonder if they lead the league in Ashleys?), and the “F” must stand for fashion. After all, how many people have kept a “fashion journal” so they don’t repeat outfits within a few months (listed by Ashley as her “Worst Habit” on her on-line bio at the Chicago Rush website)?

For Ashley, fashion has been a lifelong love, as she says, “I was always into fashion! I was the little girl that dressed up for any and every occasion! Although, I must say I went thru many trends and fads.” Ashley continued, when asked when she recalled first insisting on dressing herself, “I can recall being in 4th grade when my mom told me she had picked out an outfit for me, but I insisted that I could put something together myself. I clearly thought it was a ‘cooler’ outfit of course, too.”

When asked if she remembered any outfits that she thought particularly “rocked,” Ashley recalls, “As far as an outfit I thought rocked, it just depended on the grade and style I was going thru. If you asked my mom she would take it back to 3rd grade when I had my striped Unionbay t-shirt with my tan corduroy shorts that I wouldn’t want to take off. I had a pleather black skirt and a red Minnie sweater that I thought was adorable when I was four! In 6th grade I went thru an Adidas stage, 8th grade consisted of poncho sweaters, and high school I went thru a creative unique stage and slowly transitioned into business attire consisting of dress pants and skirts. Usually whatever I was wearing, I felt I rocked because I was so in love with keeping up with fashion.”

So, Ashley, if you were on “Project Runway,” would you prefer to be a designer, model, or judge? “If I were on ‘Project Runway,’” responds Ashley, “I would want to be a part of every aspect of the show; designer, model, and judge! I’ve taken sewing classes in high school and I loved it so much I retook the class! Being creative and brainstorming on how you could influence others by designing something a customer could essentially fall in love with is just amazing to me so designing would be such an honor. Modeling would be just as fun; being involved with fashion shows, walking the runway, being involved with designers, et cetera, how could it get any better? Lastly, is the power you would have as a judge. You’re able to give your feedback and explain why you may or may not see that outfit or product sell or be beneficial to a designer’s collection. Every part of that show is full of excitement!

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