Apprentice Company Showcase 2024

ASHER PATTEN (he/him) is from Searcy, Arkansas and is a member of this year's acting apprentice company at Aurora Theatre. His recent work with Aurora include Christmas Canteen 2023 and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. He studied acting and music at Harding University where he was featured in many roles (Buddy the Elf in Elf: The Musical, Prince Topher in Cinderella, Inspector Carter in The Play That Goes Wrong..). Special thanks to the folks at Aurora for bringing him on board for this wonderful year, and to his family for always rooting for him. IG: @asherpatten

CALVIN BERNARDO (he/him) has returned for his sixth Aurora Theatre production. You may have seen him in this season's Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, in last season's Summer: The Donna Summer Musical as Pete Bellotte, or as Robertson Ay/Valentine in Mary Poppins. He also recently performed in Aurora's Theatre for Young Audiences program in Stiles and Drewe's The Three Little Pigs, as well as portrayed Norm Waxman in Jersey Boys at the Alhambra Theatre in Jacksonville Florida. He is currently a member of Aurora's AppCo24, and has taught musical theatre and acting at the Lionheart Theatre Company for five years. He'd like to thank his family and Natalie for their love and support.

Kyusok is thrilled to make his Aurora debut in this production of Sister Act. Other productions he has been a part of are an understudy in Greener Pastures and The Three Little Pigs (Aurora), The Drowsy Chaperone (New Depot Players), A Midsummer Night's Dream (ACT1), and The Importance of Being Earnest (Acting Up).

MEGAN RITCHIE (she/her) is so grateful to be returning to the Aurora Main Stage in Sister Act! Previous Aurora credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Marilyn Wald/Ensemble) and Stiles and Drewe's The Three Little Pigs (asst. choreographer, ASM, Understudy). She recently graduated from Western Carolina University with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre and is happy to continue her pursuits of the performing arts in her home state of Georgia as a member of Aurora Theatre’s apprentice company. She is forever thankful to her family and Cody for consistently supporting and encouraging her in doing what she loves.

MYA BURNS (she/her) just graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor in Fine Arts! Past credits: Mrs. Phelps in Matilda the Musical at the Atlanta Lyric Theater, Mimi in the Musical Rent performed at Kennesaw State University and Beautiful : The Carole King Musical here at Aurora Theatre. Mya’s new journey includes her being an apprenticeship here at the Aurora Theatre! Sister Act is one of her dream shows. She is excited to make this dream come true with such an amazing cast and team working on this show! She would also love to give a shout out to her family and friends for pushing her to continue to fight for her dreams. "Thanks mommy!" Social media: (insta) @mya.burns_ (TikTok) myaburns_

NOELLE MCINTYRE (she/her)  is a member of this years acting apprentice company and this is her fourth production here at Aurora. Past Credits: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Christmas Canteen, The 3 Little Pigs (Aurora), Pygmalion, Urinetown, Our Town, Secret Garden (Gainesville Theatre Alliance). She has a BFA in Acting from Brenau University, and would like to give a special thank you to her friends and family for their love and support this year. Insta @noelle_mcintyre

ELIZA CRAFT (she/her) is so excited to work on her second production with Aurora AppCo24's Stage Management Apprentice! Previous credits include Beautiful: the Carole King Musical (Aurora) The Incredible Book Eating Boy (Alliance Theatre); Guys and Dolls (Atlanta Lyric); Bootycandy (Actor’s Express); RENT, Jitney, The SpongeBob Musical, and The Spitfire Grill (Kennesaw State University). She just graduated with a BA in Theatre and Performance Studies from Kennesaw State University. Lots of love to her amazing family and mentors.

RAKAELA THOMPSON (she/her) is feeling extremely excited to be apart of Sister Act! She is super honored and grateful to be a part of the Aurora Apprenticeship. She just finished an apprenticeship at New-stage Theatre where she was a part of productions such as, Sunset baby as Nina, and Anne & Emmett as Mammie. She attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where she played notable roles such as, Helen HoBart in Once in a Lifetime, Vera in She Kills Monsters, and Petra Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She is grateful for her family and friends supporting her on this journey!

ZION GLENN (he/him) Atlanta: Urban Holiday Soup (Youth Ensemble of Atlanta). Regional: Peter Pan Jr., Hairspray Jr., Madagascar Jr, (A Company of Friends), Footloose ( The Legacy Theatre) Summer Surf Party (Georgia Ensemble Theatre), The Pretty Pants Bandit (Georgia Ensemble Theatre) Educational: For Peace I Rise (Emory University) Cultivating Brave Spaces, Broadway Unplugged, Heathers (Oglethorpe University/Actor’s Express) Urinetown (Oglethorpe University/Actor’s Express) The Cycle (Oglethorpe University) Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aurora Theatre) Christmas Canteen (Aurora Theatre) The Cycle Film/TV: Greenleaf (CAB Castings), Dear Evan Hansen (2021) (Tammy Smith Casting). Zion is thrilled to be a part of Aurora’s ‘23-’24 Apprentice Company!

Christopher Hernandez (he/him) makes his mark as Aurora Theatre's first music apprentice! Chris has studied at UGA for music composition and is proud to have the Aurora family be a part of his musical journey. His previous acting credits include The Sultan in Aladdin (Theatre in the Square, Marietta, 2019), and his previous musical ensemble credits include The UGA Symphony Orchestra (First/Second Violin, 2019 - 2022), as well as Aurora's productions of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Keys 2, 2023), Christmas Canteen (Ad Hoc Composer, 2023) and Sister Act (Keys 2, 2024). He gives a heartfelt thanks to his friends and family for supporting him through his musical process! Instagram: @signedchrishernandez