LCCC Theatre student selected for prestigious LAByrinth ensemble in NYC

CHEYENNE, Wyoming – Gabriela Wiley, a theatre student at Laramie County Community College, has been chosen to join the LAByrinth Theater Company’s Intensive Ensemble, a competitive, weeklong workshop in New York City that offers emerging artists the opportunity to create and collaborate alongside industry professionals.

Wiley was nominated by producer and director D.J. Zayas, who has worked with LCCC theatre students on multiple occasions, including this spring’s student-written “One Act Wonders” showcase. After auditioning with an original piece, she was selected to attend the June program, where participants explore acting, directing, design and playwriting, with a strong emphasis on new work and ensemble collaboration.

“This kind of opportunity is incredibly rare for students at our level,” said Jason Pasqua, LCCC Theatre instructor. “Gabby is a bold and thoughtful writer with a distinct voice, and she’s put in the work to grow as a performer and artist. I know she’ll thrive in that environment and bring even more creative energy back to our campus.”

Playwriting is central to Wiley’s creative identity. She frequently writes short plays and monologues for LCCC productions and recently completed her first full-length script, a single-location play exploring family dynamics in the aftermath of loss. Her writing often leans contemporary, centering on themes of love, grief, purpose and identity. She said the chance to focus on original work in the LAByrinth ensemble was one of the biggest draws.

“With theater, it feels like the scariest, yet safest way to explore these feelings and questions and worldview,” Wiley said. “If I’m given a script from a character who’s experiencing the same feelings and thoughts as me, I can still feel that without saying to the world, ‘This is actually me; this is exactly how I feel.’ I can explore the human condition through the character.”

Reflecting on her time at LCCC, Wiley said the experience has helped her discover what kind of artist she wants to become.

“I’ve learned so much so fast here,” she said. “There’s a sense of freedom in being able to bring in a project or an idea and know I’ll get real, useful feedback. I’ve had the space to write, perform and collaborate with people who care deeply about the work, and that’s been huge for me.”

In her most recent LCCC theatre performance, Wiley portrayed Vera in LCCC’s production of “The Odd Couple: Female Version,” which ran April 24–26 in the Surbrugg/Prentice Auditorium. The production follows the male version of “The Odd Couple,” staged the weekend prior with a separate cast.

Wiley is set to complete her Associate of Arts in Theatre at LCCC next semester.