Senior Spotlight: Nikki DeWitt

Right now, most St. Ambrose University seniors are trying to pack as many memories in before spring graduation, however some of these seniors will be leaving at the end of this semester. One such senior, Nicole (Nikki) DeWitt from Bridgeport, West Virginia, transferred to St. Ambrose University in her junior year and will be leaving us this December.

Like many other fellow Theatre majors, DeWitt formed an interest in the arts at a young age. In fact, seeing her local high school's production of Cats was what jump-started her passion for theatre, and she hasn't let that flame die since. After this experience, DeWitt held on to the unwavering dream of acting on stage for quite some time.

"It would take a few more years before I was able to participate in a full production of High School Musical Jr," explained DeWitt. "[After this], I fully discovered that this is what I wanted to do with my life."

Upon transferring to St. Ambrose University, it didn't take long for DeWitt to get involved in the Theatre Department and in her short time here she has had numerous technical and acting experiences. For instance, this fall she played The Student in The Lesson, last spring she earned an Irene Ryan nomination for voicing the part of Juliet in the shadow puppet production of Romeo and Juliet, and she has been the props designer for a few shows.

"The way the department is run, as well as the numerous opportunities for students to get involved was very important to me," DeWitt said. "It also was very obvious that the students loved their professors and that they felt the theatre was a safe space for them to be themselves and to be able to be vulnerable with their craft."

When recalling all of her fine memories here at St. Ambrose, DeWitt had a hard time picking just one, but ultimately chose one that stood out to her the most.

"I would select doing school performances for The Little Prince," said DeWitt. "Nothing compares to 1200 kids and the energy they give off to performers and even technicians. It's something I would encourage anyone to do if given the opportunity because even on your worst day, you'll find yourself with the best energy and desire to provide the best performance you possibly can."

Upon graduation, DeWitt plans to become the Director of Help on the Horizon in north central West Virginia.

"It is a non-profit food pantry that my mom founded about 20 years ago, and I have been helping there since I could walk," explained DeWitt. "They've asked me to take over as our current director wishes to step back."

DeWitt is ecstatic to start this new chapter, for many reasons.

"This will be the first time the pantry has had a full-time employee who doesn't have another job to worry about," she said." It will be very beneficial to have someone whose main focus is the pantry and can stop what they're doing to go pick up an unexpected donation. I'm very excited for this position because I have been working with them since a young age. I cannot imagine my life without the pantry."

As far as advice goes, she also had some to offer to current and future students. According to DeWitt, "You should never be afraid to be yourself because of the environment and/or people around you and if that is the case, you need to find a different place because the people around you should always encourage you."

It was a pleasure for the entire theatre department to watch DeWitt grow her talents over the last two and a half years.We are glad to see that DeWitt has already landed a job and we know she will continue to make her mark on the world.