Meet the 2025 Young Company Apprentices!
Our Apprentices are WCU students in the Department of Theatre and Dance, who are curious and passionate about working with young people. This program offers a paid opportunity to serve as teaching assistants to our professional staff. Not-so-secretly, they are the backbone of this program. Get to know the friendly faces who will be on staff this summer helping you and your child out with lunchtime, bathroom breaks, classroom activities, and anything else you might need!
Gwen Nolen (she/her)
Class of 2026, English major and Theatre minor
Gwen is.. enthusiastic, passionate and upbeat!
My favorite place to be at WCU is … The beautiful campus and town! I love it when the weather gets warm and I can walk around town, or take a book outside to read on the quad.
What I love about going to WCU is… Participating in student-run productions in the theatre department! Through them, I've met some of my best friends, and it's so much fun to be a part of the process and watch everything come together.
Myra Kelley (they/she)
Class of 2025, Theatre Major, Dance Minor
Myra is… creative and motivated! I love being helpful, and I am always eager to learn and experience new things.
One of my favorite experiences at WCU has been… getting the chance to ASM for “Spring Awakening,” and performing in the annual WCU Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS benefit concert.
One of my favorite parts of being at WCU is … just walking around campus and around the town. It’s beautiful.
Kellian Pritchard (she/they)
Class of 2026, Theatre, Design and Production Concentration
Kellian is… fun-loving, creative, and outgoing!
My favorite experience at WCU so far is… ASM'ing my favorite musical and working with such an amazingly talented cast and crew.
One of the best parts of being a student at WCU is… the amount of opportunities to explore myself and the amazing people I've met.
Olivia Opiela (she/they)
Class of 2026, Theatre Production + Design
Olivia is… a caring friend who loves to joke around and have fun.
My favorite WCU theatre experience so far is… working on the Student Written One-Acts, and other student-run productions, with my friends. It’s a really wonderful community and a different sense of ownership when we get to create and build things with other students.
The best part of being a student at WCU is… exploring downtown with my friends! So many great places to go, especially all the cool music stores.
Lauren Kuerschner (she/her)
Class of 2025, Theatre Major with a Concentration in Musical Theatre
Lauren is… Bubbly, open, empathetic, and passionate!
My favorite experience at WCU thus far…. all of the productions I’ve been involved with in the Theatre Department and University Theatre.
The best part of being a student at WCU is… how close we are to the town! I love being walking distance from so many cute shops, restaurants, and events.
AJ Neiman (he/him)
Class of 2026, Physics and Engineering Major
AJ is… Creative, Intelligent, and Imaginative
One of my favorite experiences at WCU was… Playing Jeremy Heere in "Be More Chill.”
My favorite part about living and going to school in West Chester is… the independence and all of the amazing people I have met.
Mali Taylor (she/her)
Class of 2028, Theatre Performance & Media and Culture
Mali is…nerdy, bubbly, an ambivert, and creative!
One of my favorite experiences at WCU was… Annual BCEFA Benefit. I got to make so many friends and connect just by hanging out in the dressing rooms honestly!
Eli McBride (he/him)
Class of 2026, Theatre Arts (Musical Theatre Concentration)
Eli is… Really weird and also so awesome!! I can match anyone’s energy, no matter what they give me.
My favorite time to be at WCU is… the fall! I really love Halloweekend festivities. The annual Haunted House and Rocky Horror Picture Show are a BLAST to be involved in.
One of my favorite parts about living at WCU is… The cute little town surrounding campus!! There are so many fun places to go and explore with friends :)
Learn more about the Pre-College Intensive Apprentices | Learn more about the Faculty and Professional Staff