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2012–13 Apprentice Company

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Apprentice Company Showcase

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Aurora Theatre Apprentice Company Post-Graduate Training Program for Aspiring Professionals

Aurora Theatre is excited to introduce our First Apprentice Company! Beginning in August, these talented young theatre artists will join Aurora Theatre’s staff for an eight-month intensive that will prepare them for a career in the arts. The program will include acting, teaching, technical and administrative duties and they will get valuable performance experience in shows like Robin Hood or Terror on the Trail, which will make them a valuable commodity in this competitive world.

While here, they will hone their craft with classes in Auditioning, Theatre Education, New Play Workshops and more. The company of seven are coming from various theatre programs, from as far away as The University of Northern Colorado and Michigan State University, to as near as UGA, Valdosta State and Georgia Southern. Join us in welcoming Katie Causey, Adam Fiddler, Renita James, Michael Tarver, Ben Toler, Alex B. West & Jonathan Wierenga.

Meet Our 2012-13 Apprentices

Katie Causey is a recent graduate of the University of Georgia with degrees in Theatre and English. Last summer Katie had the opportunity to work with The Atlanta Shakespeare Company as an Education Intern. Her recent credits include Margo in Len Jenkins’ Dark Ride, Lydia in Arthur Miller’s All My Sons and Rosalind in As You Like It, all at UGA. She is also an alumna and former leader of UGA’s award-winning improv troupe Improv Athens. Katie is honored and excited to be a part of Aurora’s 2012-13 Apprentice Company.
Adam Fiddler is thrilled to be an apprentice at Aurora Theatre for the 2012-13 season. Adam was born and raised in Dacula, Georgia and recently graduated from UGA with a BA in Theatre and English, so he’s no stranger to these parts. Some of his previous roles include The Stranger in the original production of Hidden Man (7 Stages), Judas in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (UGA) and Clown 2 in The 39 Steps (UGA). He also wrote, directed and acted in a musical based on The Decemberists album, The Hazards of Love.
Renita James is super excited to be a part of the apprentice acting company. Originially from Warner Robins, Georgia, she is thrilled to be working with such an amazingly talented group. After being a traveling, performing nomad she is looking forward to settling down with Aurora Theatre for some time. Some of Renita’s past credits include: Petite Rouge in Petite Rouge (Syncronicity Theatre), Tessie in White Christmas (Peach State Summer Theatre) and Wisewoman in Gloria (Busch Gardens Williamsburg). She would also like to take a moment to thank her family for being so supportive of her on this amazing journey. “Thanks mom and dad, love you so much!”
Michael Tarver, an Atlanta native, is proud to be joining Aurora Theatre’s Apprentice Company. Spending his early childhood in Lawrenceville, this homecoming is long over due. With degrees in Theatre and Public Relations and Marketing, Michael looks forward to being involved at Aurora in as many capacities as possible. Past recent credits include Sir Francis Bacon in William Shakespeare’s Anonymous (Give Us Brains) and Little Tuna in Den of Theives (Fabrefaction Theatre Co).
Benjamyn Toler studied music and theatre performance at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. He earned his BA in Voice in 2009 and his MA in Performance Studies in 2012. He has been a frequent member of the Bob Jones University Classic Players, a long-standing troupe that specializes in Shakespearean drama and other classic works of literature performed for the stage. He has also worked with the Greenville Shakespeare Company and in several student-directed productions at BJU. He has appeared in Henry V, Great Expectations, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Pride and Prejudice, Twelfth Night, Othello, Gramercy and others. He is thrilled at the opportunity to work in the apprenticeship program at Aurora.
Alex B. West holds a BFA in Acting from Michigan State University. His regional credits include Doc in Leading Ladies, Allen/Nella in The Girls of 509 (Summer Circle Company), various roles in Wiley and the Hairy Man (Tipping Point Theatre) and most recently Moses LaRue in the world premiere of Sundown Town (TheatreSquared). Alex has also done some playwriting and film work. He is excited to begin this new adventure at Aurora Theatre!
Jon Wierenga got his BFA in Acting from Michigan State University in 2011. The following summer, one of his plays, Wracket, was produced by Atlanta’s own New Evolutionary Movement art collective. In January of this year, Jon pulled up roots from Michigan, where he has lived his entire life, and relocated to Atlanta. Since then, he has performed in Auntie Mame (The Process Theatre Company) and will be performing this summer in the Essential Theatre’s premiere production of Topher Payne’s Evelyn in Purgatory. Jon is absolutely ecstatic and endlessly grateful to be working with Aurora Theatre.