Riley Van Cleve
- Actress
- Production Designer
Riley Van Cleve started acting when her mother discovered her penchant for drama at the age of four. She was cast in her first play before she knew how to read, and her mom would read her lines aloud for her to memorize them. Since then, she's been on the stage for the last 18 years. Highlights include her award-winning performance of Katherine in Newsies, Amy in Little Women, and Desdemona in Othello.
She started TV and film training age nine and would make the trip from Arizona to California for auditions during school weeks. At that time, Riley was upgraded from an extra to a supporting role on her first feature (The Final Contract) because the director noticed her enthusiasm for being on set and the resemblance she shared with the main actress. This wouldn't be the last time a director created a role for Riley, because 10 years later, director Kassie Kotichas of the American Family wound up creating the character of Grace with her in mind after they connected during her 40 minute audition. She had the opportunity to co-create and co-write the role.
Riley's first commercial booking was in middle school and she has since done 7, both regional and national. Last January, she booked her first SAG commercial (Nike x Footlocker) and was Taft-Hartleyed.
Last June, Riley was cast as the host of Disney's Create Your World. She was chosen out of over 5,000 submissions to lead four girls through the process of debuting an original Disney song live at the Disneyland Resort. The series has amassed over 10.1 million views so far.
Riley's aim is to invigorate the film industry with the spirit of the stage, with an emphasis on meaning-driven stories, re-enchantment, and focus on craft. You'll catch her next as Emma Stone in La La Land, or Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins.
She started TV and film training age nine and would make the trip from Arizona to California for auditions during school weeks. At that time, Riley was upgraded from an extra to a supporting role on her first feature (The Final Contract) because the director noticed her enthusiasm for being on set and the resemblance she shared with the main actress. This wouldn't be the last time a director created a role for Riley, because 10 years later, director Kassie Kotichas of the American Family wound up creating the character of Grace with her in mind after they connected during her 40 minute audition. She had the opportunity to co-create and co-write the role.
Riley's first commercial booking was in middle school and she has since done 7, both regional and national. Last January, she booked her first SAG commercial (Nike x Footlocker) and was Taft-Hartleyed.
Last June, Riley was cast as the host of Disney's Create Your World. She was chosen out of over 5,000 submissions to lead four girls through the process of debuting an original Disney song live at the Disneyland Resort. The series has amassed over 10.1 million views so far.
Riley's aim is to invigorate the film industry with the spirit of the stage, with an emphasis on meaning-driven stories, re-enchantment, and focus on craft. You'll catch her next as Emma Stone in La La Land, or Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins.
