To say Gabby’s Dollhouse is a popular series is a grievous understatement. This highly imaginative and engaging program featuring a mix of live-action and animation consistently ranks as a #1 kids’ show globally on Netflix. The program is considered a leader in the children’s entertainment industry, and it has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing preschool brands in the world. Gabby’s Dollhouse has also spawned a remarkably successful line of toys and been turned into a feature film. So, yeah, it’s bigger than popular. Much bigger.

However, Gabby’s Dollhouse has recently stepped into the realm of live entertainment, making it a truly magical experience for the entire family. Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! presented by Walmart closed out 2025 after touring over 75 cities. In 2026, the show will hit 40 more stops in North America before heading to the UK to continue spreading joy and championing imagination.

Naya Ramsey-Clark is the effervescent bundle of charisma who is bringing Gabby to life on stage in front of thousands of families. Admittedly, she’s got some big shoes to fill — namely, Laila Lockhart Kraner’s shoes. But Naya is more than capable of the task. She has an overwhelmingly positive energy that allows her to target goals and achieve her dreams. In many ways, she has a magic that rivals Gabby, making her perfect for the role.

Entertaining Options was lucky enough to get a chance to connect with Naya over the winter break — before starting her next leg of the tour. Come with us to learn more about this dazzling talent, the live show, and what it takes to do what she does.

Can you give us a brief summary of your creative path so far?
I have been singing since I was about 8 years old! That is where my heart is, in singing. I started seriously doing theatre when I was about 14, and from there saw the clearest path to a career in the arts (and a way out of my small town), so I followed it! I got my BFA from Cal State Fullerton and have been auditioning since graduation in 2023. I have been working throughout So Cal since then, but this is my first tour and my biggest gig thus far!

Did you study the TV show after you got the part? 
I have absolutely studied the TV show to make sure I effectively embody such a loved character and the wonderful Laila Lockhart Kraner’s work. It has been a fun challenge to step into her exaggerated but still natural mannerisms and try to master her voice!

Was there anything you found in the character that made it easier to become her?
There is something about her whimsy and curiosity I find inherent in myself, which made stepping into her go fairly smoothly. 

What can you tell us about the story of this live show?
This show has its own special story with moments that will be familiar to those who have seen the show. In our show, Gabby and the Gabby Cats go on an action-packed journey to capture all the colors of the rainbow in order to make a friendship tree grow for the friendship festival! It is SO colorful, funny, and very musical. 

What do you do during the show? Act? Sing? Dance? How tiring is a performance?
This whole cast does it all! I am acting, singing, and dancing at different levels throughout the entire show. It is particularly tiring for a couple of specific reasons. Even when just acting, one has to keep their energy level so high at all times because of the over-exaggerated nature of this style of acting, which caters to children to keep them engaged the whole time. I truly have to look at them, speak directly to them, and show them I can hear them for the show to be most effective. This takes a lot of physical and emotional energy.  

Entertaining Options has interviewed several touring Broadway artists who have said the cast becomes family. Have you found this to be true?
We have found this to be true and have become very close! Especially because it is only a group of 9 of us. We do all feel quite connected, and we try to take care of each other.

Have you had any special moments/memories that you hope to carry with you after the tour is done?
In Duluth, Minnesota, we stumbled upon “Bentleyville,” which is America’s largest free walk-through lighting display. It had been a hard day, and as we walked through snow and unexpected Christmas lights while drinking hot cocoa, we had to hold back tears. It was very special. 

What is the most surprising thing about what you do?
It can be quite lonely! I feel that may be surprising due to how many people I see every day. But it is different from being home and in a show — months being so far away from home and YOUR people can be very difficult, especially if you are like me and have a very specific group of those you feel closest to. Living out of a suitcase and in a bus for months is a special challenge, and certainly not always glamorous. These are the prices you pay to do something so amazing!

How do you stay healthy?
I do MY BEST! We all take our vitamins, drink lots of water, and desperately try to get enough sleep. Even still, we are all often fighting off sickness. It is hard to avoid in such close quarters, especially during these cold months. 

How much of an athlete do you have to be to be a performer?
You truly have to be an athlete to be a performer; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It takes such a toll on the body to do this all the time, so you truly have to listen to your body and advocate for your needs. 

What advice do you have for someone who wants to do what you do?
Trust yourself and know your worth! I truly believe that I can do anything, and that there is no reason I shouldn’t achieve anything I want to. Things changed when I shifted into that energy. Know you are worth the work, DO the work, and know that your work is valuable! 

Also, trust yourself! Some say there are certain “rules” on how to do this and do it successfully, but I don’t think that is true. If you know yourself and know your worth, then trust that you know what is best for you, even if it’s a risk. Taking risks rooted in my trust of myself has got me here. I know that I am worth the risk, and so are you!

Why will families love this show?
Because they get to experience big joy and childhood wonder together in a safe space full of lights, colors, and lots of bubbles!

What is your favorite part about touring with this cast?
The art we have made together on and off stage and everything they have taught me about myself.

Would you ever do film or TV?
I would love to do TV and film! I love that world, but have not yet dipped my toe in it. However, there is nothing as magical and raw as live performance. 

How can fans follow and support you?
They can follow @gabbysdollhouselive on Instagram and my personal account, @pipershipsit as well if they’d like! It’s always wonderful to see people posting about the fun they have at the show. 

Is there anything we missed or anything that’s important to you that you’d like to share?
Just how grateful I am for the opportunity to grow in this art, explore, and make so many smile. Thank you!

Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! is an exhilarating show that features Gabby and the Gabby Cats (imaginative life-size puppets) traveling to the Cat-O-Sphere, Mermaid-Lantis, and some favorite Dollhouse locations to find colors that will help them rebuild the rainbow (that CatRat broke)! It includes family-favorite songs, such as “Sprinkle Party,” “Hey Gabby,” “Music In You,” and “You Can’t Spell Meow Without Me,” as well as a whole lot of dancing. Though it is targeted for children 2-6, Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! contains a surplus of fun, more than enough to make older siblings and adults get up, dance, sing along, and enjoy the party — Cakey Cat sprinkles and all! The Cat-Tastic VIP Experience includes a pre-show party, character greeting and photo (with costumed mascot, not Naya), Gabby’s VIP Goodie Set, and more.

Important Links:
Naya Ramsey-Clark: Instagram
Gabby’s Dollhouse Live!: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Tickets (North America)

North American Tour Dates:
1/18 – Raleigh, NC – Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
1/20 – Roanoke, VA – Berglund Performing Theatre
1/21 – Washington, DC – The National Theatre
1/22 – Washington, DC – The National Theatre
1/23 – Virginia Beach, VA – Sandler Center
1/24 – Stamford, CT – The Palace Theatre Stamford
1/25 – New Brunswick, NJ – State Theatre New Jersey
1/25- New Brunswick, NJ – State Theatre New Jersey
1/27 – Easton, PA – The State Theatre
1/29 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met
1/30 – Burlington, VT – The Flynn
1/31 – Lowell, MA – Lowell Memorial Auditorium
2/1 – Brooklyn, NY – Kings Theater
2/3 – Lexington, KY – Manchester Music Hall
2/4 – Lafayette, IN – Long Center for the Performing Arts
2/5 – Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theatre
2/6 – Wabash, IN – Ford Theater
2/7 – Huntington, WV – Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center
2/11 – Burnsville, MN – Ames Center
2/12 – Des Moines, IA – Hoyt Sherman Place
2/13 – Joliet, IL – Rialto Square Theatre
1/14 – Madison, WI – Orpheum Theater
2/15 – Rosemont, IL – Rosemont Theatre
2/17 – Ann Arbor, MI – Michigan Theater
2/18 – Akron, OH – Akron Civic Theatre
2/19 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theatre
2/21 – Portland, ME – Merrill Auditorium
2/22 – Bangor, ME – The Cross Insurance Center
2/25 – Saint John, NB – Imperial Theatre
2/27 – Ottawa, ON – Algonquin Commons Theatre
2/28 – Kitchener, ON – Centre in the Square
3/1 – Montreal, QC – Théâtre St-Denis
3/3 – Hamilton, ON – FirstOntario Concert Hall
3/4 – Toronto, ON – Meridian Hall
3/7 – Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre
3/8 – Regina, SK – Conexus Arts Centre
3/10 – Saskatoon, SK – TCU Place
3/11 – Calgary, AB – Jack Singer Concert Hall
3/12 – Kelowna, BC – Kelowna Community Theatre
3/13 – Surrey, BC – Bell Performing Arts Center
3/14 – Victoria, BC – Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
3/15 – Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre

The Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! tour is produced in partnership between DreamWorks Animation, Universal Destinations and Experiences, TEG Life Like Touring, and Terrapin Station Entertainment.

All photos: Matt Petit

The UK tour dates for Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! begin on March 27 in Glasgow.