Meet the 2024 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!

Kamryn Young (she/her)
Class of 2024, Theatre Major

Kamryn is.. optimistic and a quick learner!

My favorite place to be at WCU is … the theatre department! I really love being involved with all the shows.

What I love about going to WCU is… there are always great food options - both on campus and a short walk away into town.

Peyton Finacchio (she/her)
Class of 2026, Double Major, Theatre and Marketing

Peyton is… outgoing, fun, and hardworking!

My favorite experience at WCU so far is… working as an ASM on “Silent Sky” this past semester.

One of the best parts of being a student at WCU is… being surrounded by incredible people and experiences on campus.

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.

Jesheidi Laporte (they/them)
Class of 2025, Theatre Major

Jesheidi is… whimsical, adaptable, and creative.

One of my favorite experiences at WCU was… Queens and Beans! It’s a part-cooking-competition, part drag show event that served as a fundraiser for the WCU Resource Pantry, and raised awareness of LGBTQ+ food insecurity. Imagine faculty, staff, and students all competing with their favorite canned-bean recipes, then getting judged and cheered on by drag queens. One of my favorite events in my time here.

My favorite part about living and going to school in West Chester is… Therapy dogs!!!!!

Aliyah Green (she/her)
Class of 2024, Double Major in Theatre and Media + Culture

Aliyah is… ambitious, creative, and authentic.

One of my favorite experiences at WCU was… So many great experiences - both onscreen and off, and onstage and backstage. I had the opportunity to have my first play produced in this year’s SWOA’s (Student Written One-Acts), while simultaneously directing another play in the same festival. It received an honor from KCACTF, and I found the whole experience so awe-inspiring. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Learn more about the Pre-College Intensive Apprentices | Learn more about the Faculty and Professional Staff