Meet Arden Apprentice Class 31!
Apprentice Class 31 on their first day!
Over the last seven months, our class of six Arden Professional Apprentices (APAs) have been hard at work learning the ins-and-outs of a professional theatre, tackling every department at the Arden. Now, they’ve been tasked with an end-of-year capstone project: fund, produce, and mount a full showcase performance demonstrating all they’ve learned over their time at the Arden!
In preparation for their big day, get to know APA Class 31 and learn what the apprenticeship is about!
JT Hawkes is a 22-year-old theater artist from West Grove, PA, and received his B.A. in Theatre with a concentration in Musical Theatre from West Chester University. (Rams Up!)
“The Arden Apprenticeship is a learning opportunity for recently graduated students of theatre to truly immerse themselves in all of the inner-workings of a theatre company, cementing their knowledge and establishing their place in Philadelphia as working, driven, passionate artists.”
JT Hawkes, 22, West Grove, PA, – West Chester University.
Q: What is the best piece of theatre you’ve seen or produced?
A: “My Fair Lady (2018) at the Lincoln Center in NYC. Breathtaking, and flipped everything high school JT knew about theatre on its head.”
Q: What’s one thing you’re hoping to accomplish in 2026 post-apprenticeship?
A: “I’m aiming to release an EP/album later this year! I put out a single a couple of weeks ago (go stream if you want! I’m JT Hawkes on all platforms) and I’m working on getting more stuff recorded. It’s been a great creative outlet for me.”
Q: What are your artistic goals for the future?
A: “An artistic goal of mine for the future is to have a Philadelphia stage debut in some capacity. I’ve taken a brief break from performance, but I’m eager to return. I’d also like to see my own creative work (music, writing, etc.) get wider recognition and appreciation! I’ve always believed there’s a seat for everyone at the table, and I believe the same for my work as well. So, collaborating with like-minded artists is my third artistic goal for the future. Finding artists that are as passionate as I am while working here has been a gift, and I hope to continue that blessing.”
From Iowa to India, this year’s class of apprentices is from all over! Sara Alvidrez, age 22, is a recent graduate from the University of Iowa with a BA in Theatre Arts and had never been to the East Coast prior to being selected for the apprenticeship.
“I moved across the country to a brand-new city knowing no-one, save for a few faces from Zoom interviews. Upon my arrival, Philly and the apprentices welcomed me with open arms, and I haven’t looked back since.”
Sara Alvidrez, 22, Illinois, – University of Iowa
Q: What has been your favorite apprentice moment so far?
A: “When Amy offered us the Actor House to host our Thanksgiving dinner. Most of us are from far away and were unable to visit family, so gathering and making home-cooked meals for one another was incredibly heartwarming.”
Q: What’s your favorite thing about Philadelphia?
A: “My favorite thing about Philly is the artistic community. Not only is it plentiful, but it’s full of hardworking, community-driven individuals. Plus, people are as honest as they can be. You never have to guess what they’re thinking because they’ll either show it on their face, or they’ll tell you straight up! I also have an affinity for the historical architecture and the stories those buildings hold.”
Q: What are your artistic goals for the future?
A: “It doesn’t matter where I am or what I’m doing, as long as I end each day feeling fulfilled with the work I’ve done, and the ability to earn a living. I feel confident that this program has equipped me with a vast skillset, and I look forward to exploring administrative roles, especially education or children’s theater-focused projects. I’d also love to continue writing and acting, if possible.”
Hardik Gupta, 24, is a Temple Graduate with a BA in theater and focus in Acting and Directing, and originally from Delhi, India. Similarly, when he came to Philly five years ago, he knew very little about the city.
“When I came to Philly in 2021, right out of the pandemic, I was still trying to navigate my life and my future as a theatre maker in this city I knew nothing about. It was only when I saw the Arden’s 2022 production of A Streetcar Named Desire, I found my footing in this place. Since then, I have been in awe of the quality of storytelling and the depth of the stories the Arden tells, completely convinced that this was the right place for me to have a future. And in 2025, I was given the opportunity to be a part of this theatre and its storied legacy. Couldn’t be more grateful!”
Hardik Gupta, 24, Delhi, India – Temple University
Q: As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: “I wanted to be a storyteller when I grew up. I didn’t know what form of storytelling though. At first, it was simply reading out stories and enacting them out with puppets, masks, and props. I was captivated by film or more specifically motion pictures, and I wanted to learn animation. Then, I started singing and thought that my voice would be my means to tell stories. It wasn’t until I was 14 that I realized an actor is what I really want to be – a vessel, as empty as a well that stands on mud, with a limitless potential to store stories and dispel them when needed.”
Q: What’s your favorite thing about Philadelphia?
A: “There’s so much history and culture in this place. Yet it continues to evolve and grow with newer traditions, festivities, and events. People here are unassuming, unapologetic, and kind – which is rare for a city. Yes, you’ll find yourself frustrated with SEPTA on a few days, the traffic on the road, the smells on the pavement, but you’ll also find the best food, the most beautiful artwork, and the serenest corners, and the best people to share it all with. Sometimes I wake up and I think I am home, in Delhi, and then I see people from all walks of life, of all genders, and all ethnicities walking by ,and I remember that while it is not my home of birth, it is my home of learning.”
Q: What are your Artistic Goals for the Future?
A: “To continue my development as a well-rounded theatre professional and work as an actor and director on the East Coast. I am looking to pursue my graduate education in directing post –apprenticeship, and start auditioning as an actor around theatres in Philadelphia. A dream of mine is to create a self-sustaining theatre company back home that [can] produce plays and adaptations celebrating South Asian takes and stories.”
Apprentice Amelia Kovach, 22, is originally from the rural community of Sharpsville PA, and graduated from Kenyon College with a BA in Drama, Focus in Directing. Amelia talks Why Philly? Why the Arden?:
“I’m new in town, and I’m loving it. Being immersed in the Philly Theatre scene feels like a masterclass in how to foster an artistic community. I like that there’s a vibrant generation of young theatre-makers, who are wetting their feet and producing each other’s work. There’s a level of audience loyalty and artistic integrity that I really appreciate. Theatre is so abundant in this town!”
Amelia Kovach, 22, Sharpsville, PA, – Kenyon College
Q: What has been your favorite apprentice moment so far?
A: “The Apprentices threw the company Holiday Party, and it was a blast. It was galvanizing to work together and pull it off. Seeing the staff (including Amy and Terry) cut loose made all the hard work worth it.”
Q: What’s your go-to emergency food spot in Old City?
A: “Shoutout to Philly Style Bagels, who were open during the blizzard. We took a break from shoveling sidewalks to buy some bagels, and they loaded us up. Much love!”
Q: What’s it like being a young theatre artist in Philadelphia? What inspires you to continue doing what you do?
A: “Being immersed in the Philly Theatre scene feels like a masterclass in fostering artistic community. I like that the oldest companies feel like family businesses (many are). I like that there’s a vibrant generation of young theatre-makers, who are wetting their feet and producing each other’s work. There’s a level of audience loyalty and artistic integrity that I really appreciate. Theatre is so abundant in this town!”
Apprentice Madison Luckey, 23, a UArts Graduate and Texas native, highlights why the Arden is unique by sharing why we stand out.
“All the folks at the Arden truly care about their community and making great theatre. I appreciate the Arden’s commitment to making theatre of such a high caliber accessible for all [i.e. Arden for All, Arden Drama School, Children’s Theatre]. I was speaking to my mom about the Children’s Theatre shows and she told me, ‘How cool- imagine if you had been exposed to professional theatre like that so young!’ She’s right, it’s cool.”
Madison Luckey, 23, UArts and Texas native.
Q: What’s it like being a young theatre artist in Philadelphia? What inspires you to continue doing what you do?
A: “Being a young Philly artist is pretty rad. Philly theatre folk are some of the hardest working people I’ve met. Not only is the community full of talented and scrappy folks, but it’s full of people who genuinely want to make great theatre and be there for one another.”
Q: What’s your go-to emergency food spot in Old City?
A: “Tu Rinconcito! I am Mexican and being from Texas I’ve missed my family’s comfort food, so having a little piece of home here in Philly is nice.”
Q: What are your artistic goals for the future?
A: “To perform again in Philly! After taking this time to broaden my skills I’d like to see how it informs my performance now having a full-scope view of putting on a production. I also hope to continue growing as a Teaching Artist in any capacity, I am super passionate about theatre education!”
All of the Arden Professional Apprentices are incredibly grateful for the community Philly offers. Fable Rowell, 24, is originally from Clearwater, Florida, and moved to the East Coast to study Directing at Long Island University in New York. Fable shares why the apprenticeship program is a perfect starting point:
“In my time post-grad, I was an educator teaching playwriting, and I felt stuck at times because I didn’t know what to do next. The APA program provided an answer.”
Fable Rowell, 24, Clearwater, FL, – LIU Post
Q: What’s your favorite piece of theatre you’ve seen or produced?
A: “Hedwig and the Angry Inch in 2021, Lunch Bunch in 2023, Job in 2025. All three were productions that struck deep chords for where I was at my point in life.”
Q: As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: “While I always loved theatre, never straying too far, I used to dream of being an astrophysicist! Something about exploring the unknown and discovering answers really connected with little Fable.”
Q: What are your artistic Goals for the Future?
A: “My artistic goals feel very fluid. At the start of this program I wanted to start my own company and focus entirely on directing. As the program has continued, I’ve started to appreciate and learn more about what creative work can be in administration and leadership. Now I would love to work as a Stage Manager, work as a Playwright, or continue directing. The goal that I am focusing on now is developing my fantasia play, Mirror Lake. Regardless, I look forward to all the adventures ahead.”
Wherever their lives may take them, the Arden will always be grateful for the work of each apprentice class, and class 31 is no exception! If you wish to contribute toward their showcase, you can do so by clicking on this link! Wish them luck, keep an eye out as they start to cement themselves as Philadelphia artists!
Also, applications for Class 32 are open. You have until May 1st to apply. Click here to learn more.