Less than a decade ago, Spara, a 2008 graduate of Wash High, stood on the LGI room stage, where she starred in Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park” – and got a crash course in improvisation after her leading man, Mike Damerow, whispered to her that he didn’t know his lines.

These days, she’s acting opposite Freddie Highmore, who plays Dr. Shaun Murphy, a surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, on the most-watched series on television.

“I just feel very honored to be a part of the show,” said Spara. “Your greatest hope as an actor is to be a part of something that really moves and influences people in some way. And the fact that this has such a positive impact with its message – because it’s supporting people who may feel marginalized in a certain area of their lives – and to show you can kind of surpass that and prove people wrong, is incredibly rewarding. I feel very, very lucky to be a part of it. It’s been incredible.”

In the show, Spara’s character, Lea, is Dr. Murphy’s neighbor and potential love interest.

Originally, Lea was slated to appear in a couple of episodes, but Spara’s role has expanded. 

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Spara is a daughter of Kevin Spara, a hair dresser who owns Kevin’s Beauty Salon in Washington, and Kim Spara, a dental hygienist.

When Spara was 11, she took dance lessons , and about a year later she joined Kids Theatreworks, a theater program for children.