This dramatization captures the charm and excitement of L.M. Montgomery's enduring classic about an orphan girl, Anne Shirley, from her first encounter with her austere guardian to her thrilling graduation from Queen's Academy. The play faithfully recreates the memorable events and characters from the brilliant novel. All the tragedies and triumphs that mark Anne's growth from adolescence to early adulthood are here: her friendship with Diana, her feuds with Gilbert, her adoration of Matthew, the mistaken wine bottle, the cake disaster, the broken leg, the scholastic achievements, and the saving of Green Gables. Whether the playgoer is an "old friend" of Anne's or meeting her for the first time, this play will solidify a lasting friendship between the audience and one of literature's most unforgettable characters. The flexibility of casting and the simplicity of the set make this an ideal production for community and school groups.
~ Courtesy Dramatic Publishing
Production Staff
Director - Taryn Jennifer Huffman
Producer - Brian A. Palmer
Board Representative - Chris Makar
Stage Manager - Madison Lee
Assistant Stage Manager - Matt Blaylock
Scenic Designer - Ivory Mazur
Lighting Designer - Robbie Wilt
Sound Designer - Ellie Haenick
Properties Designer - Jaimee Levitt
Costume Designer - Catherine Huffman
Cast
Kallen Alsdorf - Anne Shirley
Lina Bachmann - Josie Pye
Grant Dine - Gilbert Blythe
Lynn Eitam - Reverend Bentley/President of Queen's Academy
Kate France - Rachel Lynde
Ruth Frances Glass - Ruby Gillis
West Gorenz - Charlie Sloane
Harrison Kaiser - Moody MacPherson/Jerry Buote
Keira Krisiewicz - Jane Andrews
Hevan Leon - Miss Susan Stacy/Priscilla Andrews/Mary Jo
Phoebe Levitt - Jimmy Glover
Rebekah McBane - Miss Rogerson/Mrs. Blewett/Mrs. Allan
Randi Morgan - Aunt Josephine Barry
Maegan Mosher - Diana Barry
Natalie Keller Pariano - Mrs. Barry/Stationmaster
Aditi Pyakurel - Carrie Sloane
Maggie Rusnak - Marilla Cuthbert
Aubrey Smetzer - Minnie May Barry
Kyle Smith - Mr. Phillips/Mr. Sadler/Reverend Allan
Kyra Stehura - Bessie Wright/Tillie Boulter
Stephen Woosley - Matthew Cuthbert
Thank You
Aethereal Jest Arts Council would like to extend a special "Thank You" to the following groups and individuals:
Samuel H. Shamansky
Geoffrey Martin
Shana French
Stacey Smetzer
Robbie Wilt
Aditi Pyakurel
Company
Kallen Alsdorf
Anne Shirley
Kallen Ann (no “e”) Alsdorf is truly honored and excited to be playing Anne Shirley. She feels she’s the most fortunate girl in the whole dominion of Ohio. This is Kallen’s third Aethereal Jest show, having previously played Town’s Guy in The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood and Drunken Porter, Peter Quince, and others in All the World’s A Stage. Kallen is a member of eMBer Women’s Theatre and has been working in Columbus since 2022. She would like to thank her bosom friends, Mary McKinley, Keren Collins, Rebekah McBane, and Kate France, for their support and encouragement. Thanks to her mother, Gail Alsdorf, who knows a thing or two about having red hair. And lastly an enormous thank you to Taryn Huffman for her incredible hard work, dedication, and love.
“Perhaps Kindred Spirits are not so scarce in the world as I used to think,” because I have certainly found them in this show! With enduring love, imagination, and endless optimism I say thank you!
Lina Bachmann
Josie Pye
Lina is excited to be a part of her first Aethereal Jest production! Lina is 11 years old and a sixth grader in Olentangy Schools. Lina loves performing! Past favorite roles include Junie B. Jones in Junie B. Jones the Musical Jr., Katie in School of Rock, and Molly in Annie Jr. When she’s not on stage, Lina enjoys skiing, playing guitar and piano, hiking, and competitive robotics.
Kenneth Matt Blaylock
Assistant Stage Manager
Matt served as Assistant Stage Manager for tonight’s performance. This is the first production that he has done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. Matt would like to thank his lovely wife Madison and their dog, Clover.
Grant Dine
Gilbert Blythe
Grant will be portraying the role of Gilbert Blythe in tonight’s performance. This is the first production that he done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. Past credits include: Hugo Peabody in Bye Bye Birdie, Grover in The Lightning Thief, and Johnnycake in The Outsiders. Grant would like to thank his parents, the cast, and the crew for the experience.
Lynn Eitam
Reverend Bentley/President of Queen's Academy
Having recently retired, Lynn is happy to have more time for local theater. She has most recently been seen in two Mad Lab productions: Theatre Roulette 2023 as Patricia in Stay Golden and Young Writers Short Play Festival 2024 as Sarah in It was an Accident! as well as in Licking County Players productions of Dilemmas with Dinner as Louise and Design for Murder as Louisa. She has also performed with Grandview Carriage Place Players, and Haifa English Theatre in Israel. Lynn would like to thank the cast and crew of every show she has ever been in for showing her how it’s done.
Kate France
Rachel Lynde
Kate will be portraying the role of Rachel Lynde in tonight’s performance. This is the second production that she has done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. Most recently, she played Little John in The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood. Some of her other recent productions include: DJ in Normies [MadLab Theatre], Willie Lovelace in Blazing Guns at Roaring Gulch [Weathervane Playhouse], and she played several roles in MadLab’s Theatre Roulette: Holiday Edition. She would like to thank her family, friends, and mentors for their enduring support and willingness to watch her be silly on stage. #GoShermif
Ruth Frances Glass
Ruby Gillis
Ruth will be portraying the role of Ruby Gillis in tonight’s performance. This is the first production that she has done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. She has previously acted in the Chorus of This is a Test [Kilbourne Middle School]. Ruth would like to thank her mom Lily and her dad Ben.
West Gorenz
Charlie Sloane
Coming soon!
Ellie Haenick
Sound Designer
Ellie is very excited to return to Aethereal Jest Arts Council! She has previously appeared onstage with AJAC as Modern Student in All the World's a Stage, and May Alcott/Amy March in Little Women of Orchard House. She has also performed with local theatre companies such as Wagnalls Community Theatre and New Albany Community Playhouse. She would like to thank Brian and her fellow AJAC staff members for helping to make this company as amazing as possible! Enjoy the show!
Catherine Huffman
Costume Designer
Catherine Huffman [Costume Designer] - Catherine is excited to be designing costumes for her first production with Aethereal Jest. She is a graduate of Point Park University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Technical Theater Design with a focus in Costume Design and Construction, as well as a Bachelor of the Arts in Dance with her focus in Modern Dance. While attending college, she was the first Student Designer for the Dance Department, as well as the Wardrobe Manager for the Dance Department Costume Shop. In addition, she served as a costume apprentice at both the Playhouse Costume shop, and the Dance Department Costume shop.
Following completion of college, Catherine worked as a Wardrobe Supervisor for Norwegian Cruise Line, where she worked on the production of “SIX: the Musical” on the Norwegian Breakaway. She was the first American to work on the costumes and worked directly with the costume designer Gabriella Slade. She has also worked as a Stitcher for both Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises. Her position as a Stitcher has allowed her to work on installs of professional productions for both companies, located on the individual ships around the world.
During the Summer of 2022, Catherine Served as the Resident Costume Designer for Weathervane Playhouse in Newark, Ohio. Catherine received her MFA in costume design in spring 2024 at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Starting Fall 2024, Catherine will be joining BalletMet Columbus serving as Wardrobe Coordinator. Outside of traditional theater, Catherine is a cosplayer and an avid gamer. She has created custom cosplay garments and props for individual clients for Halloween and conventions, and paints miniatures for tabletop role playing games.
Taryn Jennifer Huffman
Director
This is Taryn’s central Ohio directorial debut. She has worked in Columbus as a performer, choreographer, and stage manager. Recently, she has been seen performing in AJAC’s The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood, and Evolution Theatre Company’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Taryn holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Missouri State University. She would like to thank Brian and everyone at AJAC for trusting her with one of her favorite childhood stories. “It’s delightful when your imaginations come true, isn’t it?” - L.M. Montgomery” @taryn.jennifer.huffman
Harrison Sterling Kaiser
Moody MacPherson/Jerry Buote
Harrison is portraying the roles of Moody MacPherson and Jerry Buote. He is an aspiring author, artist, and actor. This is the first production with Aethereal Jest Council, and his past credits include This Is a Test by Stephen Greg [Kilbourne Middle School]. Harrison would like to thank his family, his little brother for being there always, and his friend Ruth for encouraging him to audition.
Keira Krisiewicz
Jane Andrews
Keira will be portraying the role of Jane Andrews in tonight’s performance. This is the first production that she has done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. Past credits include: Ensemble in Fiddler on the Roof [Gallery Players], Matilda in Matilda, Jr. [The Abbey Theater of Dublin], and Jane in Descendants [The Abbey Theater of Dublin]. Keira would like to thank Aethereal Jest Arts Council for this opportunity and her family and Avery Slinger for their support.
Madison Garvin Lee
Stage Manager
This is Madison's second production with Aethereal Jest Arts Council, previously playing various roles in All the World's a Stage, and first time behind the scenes for one of their productions. Favorite past acting credits include: Isabel in My Children, My Africa! [Red Herring Productions], Helen in The Cripple of Inishmaan [Eclipse Theatre Company], Regina in Ghosts [Columbus Civic Theatre], Jo March in Little Women [Out of the Box Community Theatre], and Madge in Picnic [Curtain Players]. Madison also serves on Aethereal Jest's Education Committee, Season Planning Committee, and as an Interim Board Member. She thanks her husband, Matt, for joining her as an Assistant Stage Manager for his first venture in Columbus theatre.
Hevan Leon
Prissy Andrews/Miss Susan Stacy/Mary Jo
Hevan is so excited to debut in her first Aethereal Jest production. Some of Hevan’s past credits include Hua Mulan in Disenchanted! The Musical [Stray Dog Theatre], Belle in Beauty and The Beast [Between The Scenes] as well as several princess characters in shows/events as a working actor with Paulette’s Princess Parties. She would like to thank Rashmi for all his support, love, and encouragement to keep following her dreams.
Jaimee Levitt
Properties Designer
Coming soon!
Phoebe A. Levitt
Jimmy Glover
Phoebe will be portraying the role of Jimmy Glover in tonight’s performance. This is the fourth show that they have done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. Past credits include: Dickie Watson in The Lottery, Ensemble in The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood, and First Citizen/Schoolboy/Robert Starling in All the World’s a Stage. They would like to think their mom Jamie, Brian Palmer and their grandma.
Chris Makar
Board Representative
Coming soon!
Gretchen May
Crew
Gretchen served as tech crew for tonight’s performance. This is their third production with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. Past credits include Juror 12 in Twelve Angry Jurors and Ensemble in The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood. Gretchen would like to thank Taryn Huffman and Brian Palmer for allowing them to be a part of this wonderful project and for their friendship and support.
Ivory Mazur
Scenic Designer
Coming soon!
Rebekah McBane
Miss Rogerson/Mrs. Blewett/Mrs. Allan
Rebekah is excited to be playing Mrs. Allan, Miss Rogerson, and Mrs. Blewett in her second production with Aethereal Jest. She's glad to be back on stage with some familiar faces and new friends. She was involved in theatre in high school and college and is grateful for the opportunity to keep performing in the Columbus community. When not at the theatre, Rebekah enjoys horseback riding, crocheting, painting, and visiting the metro parks.
Randi Morgan
Aunt Josephine Barry
Randi will be playing Aunt Josephine in tonight’s performance. This is the third production she has done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council, previously acting in Little Women of Orchard House and Twelve Angry Jurors. Randi’s previous theatre experience includes acting and directing with Roundtown Players and MadLab. Randi would like to thank her husband, Peter Graybeal, for his encouragement and support.
Maegan Mosher
Diana Barry
Maegan is ecstatic to be portraying Diana Barry in her second production with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. She is grateful for the opportunity to bring one of her favorite childhood stories to life on the same stage where she first fell in love with theater as a little girl. Maegan would like to thank her mom for introducing her to this beautiful story, as it helped shape her and her aspirations.
Brian A. Palmer
Producer
Brian served as the Producer for tonight’s performance. This is the seventh production that he has done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. Past credits include: Director for Nighthawks [Red Herring Productions, now New Herring Productions], Director for The Fantasticks [King Avenue Players], and Director for Tuck Everlasting [Worthington Community Theatre]. Brian would like to thank Anthony, Jaimee, and Shana.
Natalie Keller Pariano
Stationmaster/Mrs. Barry
Natalie is delighted to be part of one of her most beloved stories from childhood! Offstage she is the lettering artist, educator, & sprinkler of positivity confetti at NatterDoodle (@natterdoodles) where she creates stationery & lifestyle goods with her original designs and teaches art workshops. Favorite roles include Tessie Hutchinson in The Lottery, Mrs. Potts in Beauty & the Beast, Ellie Banks in Father of the Bride, and Bellomy in The Fantasticks. Natalie sends gratitude to the entire AJ team for the memories and magic, and of course for being kindred spirits!
Aditi Pyakurel
Carrie Sloane
Aditi will be portraying the role of Carrie Sloane in tonight's performance. This is the second production that she has done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. She was a part of the Ensemble in The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood. She has recently starred in The World's Happiest Man, a feature film that will be out later in 2024.
Maggie Rusnak
Marilla Cuthbert
Maggie will be portraying the role of Marilla Cuthbert in tonight's performance. This is the first production that she has done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. Past credits include: Aunt Marnie in Mighty Flame by Mark Tomsic and Aunt Abby in Arsenic and Old Lace [Carriage Place Players]. Maggie would like to thank Taryn, Brian, and the entire cast and crew of “Anne of Green Gables” for a wonderful production experience.
Aubrey Smetzer
Minnie May Barry
Aubrey will be portraying the role of Minnie May Barry in tonight's performance. This is her first production with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. She recently made her on stage debut in the ensemble of New Albany Youth Theatre's Finding Nemo Jr. Aubrey would like to thank her mom, dad and little sister Emma for their support.
Kyle Smith
Mr. Sadler/Reverend Allan/Mr. Phillips
Kyle returns to the AJAC stage after playing the Evil Prince John™ (Boo! Hiss!) in The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood. His other credits include the Lancaster Playhouse’s The Curious Savage (Jeff), and a number of roles at Curtain Players including The Mousetrap (Det. Sgt. Trotter), and Angel Street (Mr. Manningham) in addition to directing their first Shakespeare production: A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Kyra Stehura
Bessie Wright/Tillie Boulter
Kyra will be portraying the roles of Bessie Wright and Tillie Boulter in tonight’s performance. This is the first production that she has done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. Past credits include: Collodi Cricket in Pinocchio [Chardon Middle School], Emma in Emma! [Keene Middle School], Sharpay in High School Musical [MOCO] and Jane in Descendants [MOCO]. Kyra would like to thank her mom, her dad, and Taryn.
Stephen Woosley
Matthew Cuthbert
Stephen will be portraying Mattthew Cuthbert in tonight's performance. This is the first production that he has done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. He is the president of the O.G.P. theatre company, a member of the Fake Bacon improv troupe, and co-host of the It's All Been Trekked Before podcast. He has two cats, Chloe and Hermy.
Board of Directors
Megan Mateer, Chair
Jason Phillips, Vice Chair
Randi Honkonen, Treasurer
Veronica Heer, Secretary
Madison Lee, Director at Large
Lucia Lombardo, Director at Large
Chris Makar, Ex Officio Director
Brian A. Palmer, Ex Officio Director