Aayisha Ruby Gold

Aayisha Ruby Gold began her on-camera journey at the age of six with her first film appearance in Candyman (1992). She later discovered her love for theatre after seeing Joyce Piven in Great Expectations in 2005 — an experience that profoundly shaped her artistic path.

Aayisha trained under the late Joyce Piven beginning in 2003 at the Piven Theatre Workshop, where she cultivated a foundation rooted in authenticity, presence, and deep character exploration. She earned her B.A. in Acting from Columbia College Chicago in 2013.

In 2017, she received the Black Theater Alliance’s Phylicia Rashad Award for Most Promising Actress for her title performance in Hedda Gabler (Red Tape Theatre), directed by Max Truax. Her stage credits at Piven include Sasha in Ivanov, multiple roles in The Good Doctor, and work in Tim Robbins’ exclusive adaptation of Dead Man Walking. Additional theatre roles include Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew, the Lady in Yellow in For Colored Girls… (Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre), and Kate in Good People (Steel Beam Theatre).

Aayisha has appeared in numerous independent films, including lead roles in The Fourth Meeting, Altered, Hogtown, and Get a Job. On television, she returned to NBC’s Chicago P.D. in 2025, expanding her on-screen work with compelling character portrayals grounded in emotional truth.

She also works extensively as a Medical and Law Actor, bringing realism and clarity to clinical and legal training simulations for institutions throughout the region.

In addition to her acting career, Aayisha made her directorial debut with the Second Act Players in 2017, continuing her commitment to storytelling from multiple angles.

Aayisha has taught and coached at the Piven Theatre Workshop’s outreach programs and on-site classes. In her downtime, she enjoys writing, chess, and is continuing her journey with the violin.