Places please! With 2023 only days away, the American Girl doll company has announced the 2023 Girl of the Year, and she's got something in common with all of us.

Kavika Sharma (Kavi for short) is a contemporary 12 year-old girl with a passion for all things theatrical, including Broadway! Kavi lives in Metuchen, New Jersey, which is only a short train ride away from New York City and her favorite Broadway shows. 

Kavi, who is Indian-American, is the first South Asian main character for the legendary doll line, and is representative of the significant Asian population in New Jersey. Her family practices Hinduism, which is depicted in Kavi's companion book It's Showtime, which has been written by New York Times bestselling author Varsha Bajaj.

Through Kavi, American Girl explores the difference between dreams and duty as Kavi struggles to balance her onstage aspirations with her offstage responsibilities. Accessory options for the Kavi doll include a backstage set, a costume trunk, a songwriting setup, yoga supplies, and more. A six-episode animated Youtube series will also coincide with the release of the doll, along with a music video and other digital content.

In line with Kavi's dream, American Girl has announced that $25,000 will be donated to Camp Broadway in the form of full and partial scholarships. The summer program is a New York City staple that encourages theatrically inclined kids to explore their love of musical theatre. Children between the ages of 7 and 14 will be eligible for the American Girl scholarships.

To learn more about the scholarship program and about Kavi, visit AmericanGirl.com.