Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Aubrey Plaza

Discover the career path of Aubrey Plaza, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Aubrey Plaza is an American actress, comedian, and producer known for her deadpan delivery and quirky characters. She honed her skills in improv and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. After graduating from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, she debuted in film with Mystery Team (2009). Plaza achieved mainstream success portraying April Ludgate in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation (2009-2015), solidifying her position as a prominent figure in comedy and entertainment.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2004: Training and Performing at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre

In 2004, Aubrey Plaza started training and performing improv and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. She also performed at the Laugh Factory and The Improv. Amy Poehler inspired her to perform improv.

2005: Internship at Saturday Night Live

In 2005, Aubrey Plaza had an internship at Saturday Night Live, a popular late-night television comedy program.

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2006: Apprenticeship at 30 Rockefeller Plaza

In 2006, Aubrey Plaza appeared in an episode of 30 Rock. In the same year, she also became an NBC page at 30 Rockefeller Plaza after her SNL internship, and she was also in two short films named Killswitch and In Love.

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2008: Improv Everywhere Sketch and Other Roles

In 2008, Aubrey Plaza participated in an Improv Everywhere sketch, taking a desktop computer to a Starbucks in New York City. Also in 2008, she had a recurring role in The Jeannie Tate Show and appeared in Mayne Street and Terrible Decisions with Ben Schwartz.

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2009: Film Debut in Mystery Team and Funny People

In 2009, Aubrey Plaza made her feature film debut in Mystery Team. She also played a standup comic and Seth Rogen's love interest in the movie Funny People. To prepare for the standup role, she performed at open mic nights.

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March 12, 2010: A Night of 140 Tweets: A Celebrity Tweetathon for Haiti Performance

On March 12, 2010, Aubrey Plaza performed at A Night of 140 Tweets: A Celebrity Tweetathon for Haiti at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Los Angeles.

2010: Cast in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

In 2010, Aubrey Plaza played the role of Julie Powers in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

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2011: Roles in Portlandia, Troopers, Damsels in Distress, and 10 Years

In 2011, Aubrey Plaza appeared in CollegeHumor shorts, had a recurring role in Portlandia, guest-starred in Troopers, and appeared in the films Damsels in Distress and 10 Years.

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2012: Starring Role in Safety Not Guaranteed

In 2012, Aubrey Plaza had her first starring role in a major film in the comedy Safety Not Guaranteed. Her performance received positive reviews, and she won the Breakthrough Performance (Female) award at the Young Hollywood Awards.

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2013: Portrayal of Sacagawea in Drunk History and MTV Movie Awards Incident

In 2013, Aubrey Plaza portrayed Sacagawea in the Drunk History episode "Nashville." She also ran onto the stage at the MTV Movie Awards and grabbed Will Ferrell's award, inspired by Kanye West, resulting in her ejection from the studio lot.

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2013: Voice Role in The Legend of Korra

In 2013, Aubrey Plaza voiced Eska in the animated television series The Legend of Korra.

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2014: Roles in Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever, Life After Beth, and Ned Rifle

In 2014, Aubrey Plaza voiced Grumpy Cat in Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever and starred in the films Life After Beth and Ned Rifle.

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2015: Parks and Recreation Ended

In 2015, Aubrey Plaza concluded her role as April Ludgate on Parks and Recreation, a role she played since 2009. Her performance was praised, and her character was considered a breakout character.

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2016: Roles in Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, HarmonQuest, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Criminal Minds

In 2016, Aubrey Plaza starred in Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, guest-starred on HarmonQuest and SpongeBob SquarePants, and portrayed Cat Adams in Criminal Minds.

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2017: Portrayal in FX series Legion

From 2017 to 2019, Aubrey Plaza portrayed Amahl Farouk / Shadow King and Lenny Busker in the FX series Legion. She was given creative freedom with the character, inspired by David Bowie.

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2017: Starring in and Producing The Little Hours and Ingrid Goes West

In 2017, Aubrey Plaza starred in and produced the films The Little Hours and Ingrid Goes West. Both films premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and Ingrid Goes West won the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature.

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2019: Starring in Child's Play reboot

In 2019, Aubrey Plaza starred in Child's Play, a reboot of the 1988 film, as Andy's mother who brings home a killer doll, Chucky. Also in 2019, she hosted the Independent Spirit Awards.

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2020: Hosting the Independent Spirit Awards

In 2020, Aubrey Plaza hosted the Independent Spirit Awards. She had also hosted the show in 2019.

2020: Roles in Happiest Season and Black Bear

In 2020, Aubrey Plaza played Riley Johnson in the romantic comedy Happiest Season, and produced and starred in the independent experimental thriller Black Bear. Her performance in Black Bear garnered critical acclaim.

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2021: Directorial Debut with Cinema Toast and Writing The Legend of the Christmas Witch

In 2021, Aubrey Plaza wrote and made her directorial debut with the episode "Quiet Illness" of the Showtime series Cinema Toast. Also in 2021, she wrote a children's book with Dan Murphy, The Legend of the Christmas Witch.

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