Ashli René Funches

(Bio as of February 2026)

Ashli René Funches (Ruthie) is a civic-minded performer from Birmingham, Alabama. Recent credits include: IS GOD IS (Red Orchid); The Model Play (Snails on a Bike); Native Son (Lifeline); Notes from the Field (Timeline); Stew (Shattered Globe); For Colored Girls (Fleetwood-Jourdian). Funches received their BFA in Acting and BA in African Diaspora from DePaul University. They wrote, produced and portrayed Amari in the film A Yellow Circus (premiered at Micheaux, Black Alphabet and Black Harvest Film Festival). You can also catch Funches on Chicago PD.