Eden Joye Newcott - OC Artist of the Year Theatre Finalist 2025

Eden Joye Newcott (Newport Harbor class of 2026) was recognized as a finalist for Theatre in the prestigious 2025 OC Artist of the Year competition! She was featured in multiple issues of the OC Register across the month of April and was honored at a ceremony this past Wednesday.

When asked to describe Eden, Theatre Program Director Lissa Slay wrote, "Eden isn't just an artist; she's a radiant star in our theatre community! Her talent is truly something special – whether she's acting onstage or painting backdrops for ASB, you can feel the passion and creativity pouring out of everything she does. What truly sets Eden apart is her incredible kindness. She has this amazing way of making everyone feel seen and valued. She's always there to lend a helping hand, offer a listening ear, and spread joy wherever she goes. It's no wonder she has such a loyal following of friends and fans. Eden is an amazing human being. She's talented, kind, resourceful, and a true inspiration to us all. She's the kind of artist who makes the world a brighter place, and she absolutely deserves to be recognized as Artist of the Year!'"

Eden Joye Newcott '26 proudly displays her certificate at the OC Artist of the Year Ceremony 2025.

When interviewed by the OC Register about her experience in theatre and what she has learned from it, Eden said, "Acting has taught me so much about people and the human brain because of the time I spend working on characters and relationships. I go into my head and explore the different ways people think, feel, and react, which makes me a more empathetic and insightful person. Sophomore year I played a very anxious girl named Kenosha who got frequent panic attacks. My research and practice gave me a strong sense of compassion for those struggling with anxiety. I learned about triggers and body language and different techniques to help calm down. This fall I had my own first panic attack, and because I was alone, I used the things I had learned and done on stage to relax. (Most notably was butterfly breathing which I still use today when I'm nervous.) Theatre is also such an interesting art because it's all about interacting with others. There are so many people that I meet through theater that I would never cross paths with otherwise. Performing has introduced me to some of the most genuine and interesting kids, and I am so thankful to have met them."

Looking towards the future, Eden notes her intent to pursue theatre professionally, saying, "I want to be an actor. I love acting, and I’ve never wanted to do something so badly. Sometimes that’s a scary thing to admit because it’s hard for me, someone who really likes to succeed, to commit to a dream that’s so uncertain. But integrity is matching your outside with what you feel inside, and speaking your dreams aloud pushes you to accomplish them. As an actor (specifically in film), I want to tell stories and make people feel. Most importantly, I want to show little girls that they can have dreams that are big like mine.”

Congratulations, Eden! Newport Harbor Performing Arts is proud to honor such incredible Sailors.