Liv Jonson is an actor, playwright, educator, and hairstylist from Pensacola, Florida, though she’s never quite felt like a “Florida person.” She’ll choose cold weather, snow, and a cozy day inside over sunshine and beaches any time. Growing up with a big imagination and a deep love of storytelling, Liv has always been drawn to creating worlds, characters, and moments that feel honest, human, and alive.
She earned her BA in Theatre Performance from Dillard University, home to the oldest HBCU theatre program in the country, where she developed a strong foundation not only as a performer but as a well-rounded theatre artist. While there, she immersed herself in all sides of production, gaining experience in technical theatre such as run crew, scenic painting and construction, as well as light and sound board operation. That behind-the-scenes perspective continues to shape her work today, giving her a collaborative mindset and a deep respect for the full creative process.
While at Dillard, Liv also stepped fully into playwriting. She wrote, produced, and directed her original play, an experience that confirmed her passion for telling stories from the inside out. Her work has since been selected for Equity readings and featured in the Horizon Theatre’s New South Young Playwrights Festival. She especially loves creating character-driven stories that explore identity, relationships, and emotional complexity.
Liv received her MFA in Acting from Indiana University, where she gained extensive professional training and built meaningful industry connections while preparing for life beyond school. Her graduate experience sharpened her craft, strengthened her artistic voice, and deepened her commitment to storytelling that feels grounded, specific, and emotionally truthful.
Another creative passion that has been part of Liv’s life since childhood is hairstyling. She has been doing African American hair since she was twelve years old and now pursues it professionally alongside acting and writing, with a focus on Black hair for film and television. To her, hair is a powerful part of storytelling, identity, and culture.
A soprano who is now diving deeper into musical theatre, Liv hopes to build a career in both stage and screen, with the ultimate dream of performing on Broadway.
Outside of her creative work, Liv loves getting lost in dramatic and supernatural TV shows, listening to psychology and pop culture videos, reading dystopian fiction, and spending time with her two cats, Charlie and Simba. She also has a serious sweet tooth and will always choose sweet over savory.
In August, Liv will relocate to Chicago and begin her career. She wishes to live somewhere with vibrant artistic energy and, most importantly, real winters.