Premium toy brand American Girl has announced its 2023 “Girl of the Year”: Kavi Sharma. The newest doll in the American Girl canon, Kavi, who debuted on December 29, 2022, is the first Girl of the Year character with a specific passion for Broadway.
A leading brand of Mattel, American Girl offers a line of dolls accompanied not only by their clothing and accessories, but their stories. Beginning with the launch of the historical characters in 1986, American Girl has published books about the inner lives of each of its dolls.
According to her backstory, Kavi loves performing and lives with her tight-knit Indian American family in New Jersey, “a short train ride from her two favorite places in the world: New York City and Broadway!” Kavi’s novel, “It’s Showtime, Kavi,” written by New York Times bestselling author Varsha Bajaj, will be released later this year. Fans can watch Kavi’s Broadway-inspired journey through music videos, an upcoming six-episode animated YouTube series and more.
American Girl also offers Kavi’s Songwriting Accessories, including a mini working keyboard, and a “backstage” set with folding stage, rolling wardrobe and a vanity with working lights that plays five songs. Kavi’s clothing options include dancewear, like silver joggers and tennis shoes as well as a Bollywood dance costume.
With the release of Kavi, American Girl is also partnering with Broadway Education Alliance’s Camp Broadway to support arts education in young people like Kavi, donating $25,000 to fund full and partial scholarships to kids participating in Camp Broadway’s 2023 summer program. Founded in 1995, Camp Broadway welcomes youngsters to New York City and partner theaters around the U.S. to learn from Main Stem performers, directors, choreographers, writers, designers and more. The Girl of the Year series aims to support philanthropic organizations with a connection to its characters.
“We explored organizations with a tie to the character’s passion for performance and love of Broadway,” said Susan Jevens, a spokesperson for American Girl. “With its focus on making theater arts fun and accessible for young people, BEA’s Camp Broadway was a perfect fit.”
The partnership and the launch of Kavi marks a significant integration of Broadway into pop culture, particularly into the consciousness of young people the industry so often tries to reach through programming like Broadway Bridges, the Situation Project and more.
