Heleya hails from the Emerald City of Seattle, Washington.  She came to Los
Angeles to attend the University of Southern California where she earned her BA in Theatre.  While at USC Heleya studied abroad in London at the British American Drama Academy studying Shakespeare, High Comedy, stage combat, and mask work.  During her time at USC Heleya was very active with the "Theatre for Youth" classes, writing, teaching, creating and performing for students in the USC neighborhood.  She also worked with the acclaimed 24th Street Theatre in their afterschool theatre classes "After 'Cool."

Heleya has worked at many theatres in the Los Angeles area including Cornerstone Theatre Company where she performed in Demeter in the City (NAACP Theatre Award Nomination--Best Ensemble Cast), Rubicon Theatre Company, Santa Monica Playhouse, and Pacific Resident Theatre where she originated the role of Faith in The Contest which went on to a critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival.  

Heleya has also toured extensively in youth theatre for The Geffen Playhouse in such productions as Homer's The Odyssey and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer  as well as with the national youth theatre ensemble Will & Company performing classics in schools.  

Heleya has appeared in numerous independent films  and in 2010 she created the independent web television series We Are With the Band with Vivian Kerr.  The show was an Official Selection-Comedy Pilot in the 2010 Independent Television Festival.  Heleya and Vivian also won the 2010 Indie Intertube Award for "Best Duo" for their performances on the show.

When she isn't in front of the camera or on stage you can find Heleya teaching and directing theatre at Crossroads and Echo Horizon Schools or reading aloud to children across LA when she volunteers with the SAG Foundation's BookPALS program.  


copyright Heleya de Barros 2010