Hi, I’m Ava Dean—a creator who blends writing, performance, and design. I’ve written and performed on stage, designed visuals, and even run a small piercing business, learning by doing and helping others along the way. Right now I’m studying Games and Animation at the University of Cincinnati, after honing my craft at The Chicago High School for the Arts. I love collaborating with teams and bringing ideas to life—from poetry to stage props to layout and design.

Ava Dean

Hi, I’m Ava Dean—a creator who blends writing, performance, and design. I’ve written and performed on stage, designed visuals, and even run a small piercing business, learning by doing and helping others along the way. Right now I’m studying Games and Animation at the University of Cincinnati, after honing my craft at The Chicago High School for the Arts. I love collaborating with teams and bringing ideas to life—from poetry to stage props to layout and design.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Ava Dean—a creator who blends writing, performance, and design. I’ve written and performed on stage, designed visuals, and even run a small piercing business, learning by doing and helping others along the way.

Right now I’m studying Games and Animation at the University of Cincinnati, after honing my craft at The Chicago High School for the Arts. I love collaborating with teams and bringing ideas to life—from poetry to stage props to layout and design.

See more

Experience Level

Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Barista / Front of House at La Boulangerie & Co.
August 1, 2025 - September 15, 2025
Prepared food and drinks, delivered customer service, handled opening/closing, cleaning, stocking, organizing, and inventory; performed cash handling and supported team operations.
Cashier / Food Services at Cincinnati Children's Hospital - Food Services
January 1, 2025 - Present
Cashier and customer service in cafete ria and cafe; handled money, restocked items, and maintained cleanliness.
Piercing Artist at Star Piercings
October 1, 2022 - Present
Established a small piercing business, scheduled appointments, communicated with customers, pierced ears and body parts (earlobe, helix, conch, septum, nostril, belly button); provided aftercare guidance; served over 100 customers.
Art Lead at Levitate Magazine
May 31, 2023 - September 15, 2025
In charge of all art submissions and accepted pieces for Levitate Magazine Vol. 7; Creative Nonfiction Assistant; managed CNF submissions and assisted in selecting content for publication.
Show Director / Head Writer / Stage Designer / Booklet Designer / Actor at Vaudeville Comedy Show (Senior Showcase)
May 1, 2024 - September 15, 2025
Wrote most acts, directed performers, and planned the show with classmates and teachers; designed stage and program booklets; acted in multiple skits and coordinated production logistics.
Barista / Front of House at La Boulang[e]rie & Co (California)
August 1, 2025 - September 15, 2025
Worked with food, prepared drinks, handled customer service issues, opening/closing, cleaning, restocking, and organizing; heavy team-based duties and cash handling.
Food Services / Cashier at Cincinnati Children's Hospital
January 1, 2025 - Present
Cashier, cafe operations, serving food, restocking, cleaning, and handling customer interactions.
Self-Employed Piercings Practitioner at Star Piercings (Self-Owned)
October 1, 2022 - Present
Set up and ran a small piercing business; scheduling appointments; client communication; post-care guidance; served over 100 customers.
Art Lead at Levitate Magazine (Literary Magazine)
May 1, 2023 - September 15, 2025
In charge of all art submitted and accepted to the magazine; assisted as Creative Nonfiction Assistant; managed CNF submissions and evaluations for acceptance.
Director / Head Writer at Vaudeville Comedy Performance (Senior Showcase)
May 1, 2024 - September 15, 2025
Directed the show, wrote most of the acts, planned and organized with classmates and teachers; prepared scripts; contributed as Head Writer.
Barista / Front of House at La Boulangerie & Co
August 1, 2025 - September 15, 2025
Work with food, prepare items, and make drinks for customers. Provide customer service, handle issues and complaints. Open/close, set up the day, and extensive cleaning, restocking, and reorganization. Emphasize teamwork and communication. Cashier duties, updating stock, handling money, and counting the drawer.
Cashier / Food Services at Cincinnati Children's Hospital
January 1, 2025 - Present
Cashier work, customer service, handling money, retail, and restocking. Work in the cafe, making drinks, serving customers, restocking, and cleaning. Work in the cafeteria, serving food and helping customers.
Owner / Piercer at Star Piercing
October 1, 2022 - Present
Set up and created a small piercing business; self-taught and self-supplied. Scheduling appointments, talking with customers, piercing customers, and providing aftercare. Pierced ears, helix, conch, septum, nostril, belly buttons. Over 100 customers.
Art Lead & Creative Nonfiction Assistant at Levita Magazine
May 31, 2023 - September 15, 2025
Led art submissions for Levita Vol. 7; in charge of art that is submitted and accepted to the magazine. Creative Nonfiction Assistant; helped manage CNF submissions and read through them to decide acceptance.
Director / Head Writer / Stage Designer / Actor / Booklet Designer at Vaudeville - Comedy Performance (Senior Showcase)
May 1, 2024 - September 15, 2025
Directed the show; wrote most of the acts, directed people, and planned everything with classmates and teachers. Head Writer; Stage Designer; acted in most skits; designed and handed out the booklet to the audience.
Treasurer at University of Cincinnati Student Government
September 1, 2024 - Present
Student Government Treasurer; managed finances for Siddall Hall activities, budgets, and fundraising.
Barista / Front of House at La Boulangerie & Co
August 1, 2025 - September 15, 2025
Worked with food prep and beverages for customers; handled front-of-house service, customer issues, and operations; opened/closed, cleaned, stocked, and reorganized; collaborated in a team; cashiering and handling money.
Cashier, Food Services at Cincinnati Children's Hospital
January 1, 2025 - Present
Cashier in the cafe, handling money, serving food, restocking, and maintaining café operations.
Piercing Artist / Small Business Owner at Star Pie Piercings
October 1, 2022 - Present
Created and managed a small piercing business; self-taught piercing techniques; scheduled appointments; performed piercings (ear lobe, helix, conch, septum, nostril, belly button); educated clients on aftercare; managed inventory and a part-time employee.
Art Lead at Levitate Magazine
May 1, 2023 - September 15, 2025
In charge of all art submitted and accepted to the magazine; Creative Nonfiction Assistant; helped manage CNF submissions.
Director / Head Writer / Stage Designer / Actor / Booklet Designer at Vaudeville Comedy Performance (Senior Showcase)
May 1, 2024 - September 15, 2025
Directed the show, wrote scripts, planned stage layout, acted in most skits, and designed the audience booklet.
Director / Head Writer / Stage Designer / Actor / Booklet Designer at Vaudeville - Comedy Performance (Senior Showcase)
May 1, 2024 - September 15, 2025
Directed the senior comedy showcase, wrote most of the acts, directed performers, designed stage sets, and created the show booklet for distribution to the audience.
Barista / Front of House at La Boulan gerie, & Co
August 1, 2025 - September 15, 2025
Worked with food, prepared drinks for customers, provided extensive customer service, handled cash, stocked and cleaned, opened/closed procedures, and maintained team communication.
Food Services (Cafeteria/Cafe) at Cincinnati Children's Hospital
January 1, 2025 - Present
Cashier, customer service, cash handling, retail, restocking, cafe preparation, and maintaining cleanliness while serving clients.
Self-Employed Piercing Professional at Star Piercings
October 1, 2022 - Present
Founded and operated a small piercing business; scheduled appointments, communicated with clients, performed multiple piercings (ear lobe, helix, conch, septum, nostril, belly button), trained an employee, provided aftercare guidance, and served over 100 customers.
Creative Nonfiction Assistant at Literary Magazine, Levit ate Vol. 7
May 1, 2023 - September 15, 2025
Managed Submissions for CNF; reviewed pieces to determine acceptance; assisted with editing and preparation of accepted work.
Treasurer at University of Cincinnati Student Government
September 1, 2024 - Present
Managed student government finances; oversaw budgeting and financial planning for student activities.

Education

High School Diploma at The Chicago High School for the Arts
August 1, 2020 - May 1, 2024
Bachelor's Degree in Games and Animation at University of Cincinnati, College of DAAP
August 1, 2024 - September 15, 2025
High School Diploma at The Chicago High School for the Arts
August 1, 2020 - May 1, 2024
Bachelor's degree in progress at University of Cincinnati, College of DAAP
August 1, 2024 - September 15, 2025
High School Diploma (The Chicago High School for the Arts) at The Chicago High School for the Arts
August 1, 2020 - May 1, 2024
Bachelor's Degree in Games and Animation at University of Cincinnati
August 1, 2024 - September 15, 2025
High School Diploma at The Chicago High School for the Arts
August 1, 2020 - May 1, 2024
Bachelor's Degree (in progress) at University of Cincinnati
September 1, 2024 - September 15, 2025
High School Diploma at The Chicago High School for the Arts
August 1, 2020 - May 1, 2024
Bachelor's degree in Games and Animation at University of Cincinnati
August 1, 2024 - September 15, 2025

Qualifications

Scholastic Gold Key — Bubble Gum Candy Smoke (poetry)
January 1, 2022 - September 15, 2025
Scholastic Gold Key — Bubble Gum Candy Smoke (poetry)
January 11, 2030 - September 15, 2025
Scholastic Gold Key – Poetry: Bubble Gum Candy Smoke
January 1, 2022 - September 15, 2025
Scholastic Gold Key
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Scholastic Gold Key — Bubble Gum Candy Smoke (poetry)
January 1, 2022 - September 15, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Retail, Healthcare, Travel & Hospitality