The cast of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest."
Kyle Smith as John "Jack" Worthing
Reina Watson and Charlisa Anderson
The cast of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest."
The Importance of Being Earnest was first performed in 1895 and is a comedic play that satirizes the conventions and manners of Victorian society. The subtitle of the play, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People, aptly captures Wilde’s tongue-in-cheek take on the cultural milieu to which he was subject. This production is set in England during the early 1950s and follows the lives of two young men, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who adopt fictional identities to escape social obligations. Jack invents a brother named Ernest, while Algernon creates an invalid friend named Bunbury. The plot unfolds with mistaken identities, clever wordplay, and humorous social commentary.
Production Staff
Director - Matthew Barr
Producer - Ellie Haenick
Board Representative - Veronica Heer
Stage Manager - Brian A. Palmer
Assistant Stage Manager - Ashton Brammer
Assistant Stage Manager - Phoebe Levitt
Scenic Designer - Travis Williams
Lighting Designer - Robbie Wilt
Properties Designer - Jaimee Levitt
Costume Designer - Amy Groseclose
Stage Combat/Intimacy Coordinator - Hailey Marshall
Cast
John "Jack" Worthing, J.P. - Kyle Smith
Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax - Reina K. Watson
Algernon Moncrieff - Ryan Dever
Cecily Cardew - Grace Beikirch
Lady Augusta Bracknell - Charlisa Anderson
Miss Lætitia Prism - Charlene Dubin
Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D. - Nolan Mecham
Merriman - Ashton Brammer
Lane - Toby Foley
Thank You
Aethereal Jest Arts Council would like to extend a special "Thank You" to the following groups and individuals:
Greater Columbus Arts Council
Eric Myers
Asterisk Supper Club
John Groseclose
West Gorenz
Lillie Gorenz
Company
Charlisa Anderson
Lady Augusta Bracknell
Char is thrilled to be back with Aethereal Jest having performed with them in two previous shows, and for a couple of decades in community theatre in Columbus. Favorite roles include; Amanda Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie, Mrs. Haggett in The Late Christopher Bean, Mrs. Banks in Barefoot in the Park, and Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn in The Music Man. She also dabbles in TV and film. Char thanks Steve and family for their support.
Grace Beikirch
Cecily Cardew
Grace is thrilled to be portraying the role of Cecily Cardew in tonight's performance. This is the first production that she has done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. Past credits include: Jess in King Charles III [Stoic Theatre], Petra Stockmann in An Enemy of the People [Endeavor Theatre], and Tina in The Convent [TAMUCC Theatre]. Grace would love to thank Robbie and their dog Otto, her family and friends, and all who supported her recent move up to Ohio!
Ashton Brammer
Assistant Stage Manager, Merriman
Ashton is excited to be debuting with Aethereal Jest's The Importance of Being Earnest. She is originally from Ironton, Ohio, and a graduate of The Ohio State University with a BA in English and Theatre. Some of Ashton's recent musical theatre roles include Gallery Player's The Producers (Ensemble), Gallery Player's Fiddler on the Roof (Yussel/Ensemble), and P.A.C.E.'s The Pirates of Penzance (Isabel). She also currently serves as an Actor and Host for the Columbus Dinner Detective and has experience acting in films. She would like to thank her friends, family, her boyfriend Cliff, and her cat Calcifer for all their support, and in the words of Walt Disney, "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."
Ryan Dever
Algernon Moncrieff
Ryan will be portraying the role of Algernon Moncrieff in tonight’s performance. This is the third production that he has done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. Past credits include: Jon Sutton in Holier Than Thou [Aethereal Jest Arts Council], Thomas Rogers in And Then There Were None [PACE], and Johnny Bubbles in The Psychic [LTOB]. Ryan would like to thank Brian Palmer, his very supportive friends, and his cat Luca.
Charlene Dubin
Miss Lætitia Prism
Charlene is thrilled to be portraying Miss Lætitia Prism in tonight's performance. This is her second show with Aethereal Jest Arts Council, her first being Community Theater Triple Feature: Volume One. Past credits include Mrs. Squires in The Music Man, Sunny in The Last Night of Ballyhoo, and Elaine in Arsenic and Old Lace, all with King Avenue Players. Charlene would like to thank the cast and crew for being fabulous. She would also like to thank her husband, Jeff, and her friends for putting up with her rehearsal schedule. And special thanks to her cat, Lily, who she promises to never put into a handbag, not that Lily would let her anyway.
Toby Foley
Lane
Toby is so excited to be joining Aethereal Jest Arts Council's production of The Importance of Being Earnest as Lane. He is currently a senior at Metro Early College High School and hopes to pursue musical theater as a minor in college. He could previously be seen around Columbus as Pop/Ensemble in Gypsy [Imagine Productions], Ensemble/Duchess U/S in Alice by Heart [Dublin Abbey Theatre], and Monsieur D'arq in Beauty and the Beast [Bishop Watterson Little Theater], as well as at his Short North Stage internship.
Amy Groseclose
Costume Designer
Coming Soon!
Ellie Haenick
Producer
Ellie is excited to be a part of The Importance of Being Earnest as the producer! This is her fifth time involved in a show at AJAC, having previously performed in Little Women of Orchard House and All the World's a Stage, sound designed Anne of Green Gables, and having also produced Holier Than Thou. Ellie is also the Performing Arts Coordinator on staff at Aethereal Jest. She would like to thank Brian Palmer and Matthew Barr for their amazing dedication to this production, and hopes you enjoy the show!
Veronica Heer
Board Representative
Coming Soon!
Jaimee Levitt
Properties Designer
Jaimee is so happy to be a part of this production! Her recent productions include Clue [LTOB], Anne of Green Gables [Aethereal Jest], The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood [Aethereal Jest], Bye, Bye Birdie [Westerville Civic Theater], Matilda [Blendon Middle School]. Jaimee would like to thank Brian for bringing her in on this fabulous show. Happy Birthday, Phoebe, thanks for being awesome!
Phoebe Levitt
Assistant Stage Manager
Phoebe is the Assistant Stage Manager for today’s showing. This is their fifth show with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. They have been seen as Dickie Watson in The Lottery, Ensemble in The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood, and Jimmy Glover in Anne of Green Gables. They would like to thank their mom, grandma, and Brian for all of the support. Enjoy the show!
Hailey Marshall
Stage Combat & Intimacy Coordinator
Hailey is the intimacy and combat coordinator for The Importance of Being Earnest. This is Hailey's third production working with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. She was Assistant Director/Combat Coordinator for Twelve Angry Jurors, and Frieda/Intimacy and Combat Coordinator in Nine Girls. She would like to thank Brian for the opportunity to work with this amazing cast. Break legs to all!
Nolan Mecham
Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D.
Nolan is thrilled to be cast in another Aethereal Jest Arts Council production! He is a veteran of theatre, film and voice-acting, with roles including Norbert Garstecki in The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Jupiter in the musical Olympus on My Mind, Everett Sullivan in the feature film Neon Sky, among many other productions. Nolan is a founding member of the podcast Faust in Wonderland. None of this would be possible without the unwavering support and encouragement of his wife Joan Lopate.
Brian A. Palmer
Stage Manager
Brian served as the stage manager for tonight’s performance. This is the ninth production that he has done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. Past credits include: Director for Nighthawks [Red Herring Productions], Director for The Fantasticks [King Avenue Players], and Director for Holier Than Thou [Aethereal Jest Arts Council]. Brian would like to thank Anthony, Kathy, and Jordan.
Kyle Smith
John "Jack" Worthing, J. P.
Kyle Smith returns for his fourth production with Aethereal Jest Arts Council this year after The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood, Anne of Green Gables, and Holier Than Thou. Kyle has performed extensively at Curtain Players, where he also directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He sincerely appreciates the support of everyone who enabled him to commit to three plays at once like a crazy person, just promise to never let him do it again.
Reina K. Watson
Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax
Reina will be portraying the role of Gwendolyn Fairfax in tonight’s performance. This is the third production that she has done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. Past credits include: Alyssa in Twinship [Mine 4 God Productions], Jess in Superhero [Mine 4 God Productions] and Jane in Nine Girls [Aethereal Jest]. Reina would like to thank her ancestors paving the way.
Travis Williams
Scenic Designer
Travis is the scenic coordinator of Aethereal Jest Arts Council and is proud to be returning to design his second show with the company. He previously designed the set of The Somewhat True Tale of Robinhood.
Robbie Wilt
Lighting Designer
Coming Soon!
Board of Directors
Megan Mateer, Chair
Jason Phillips, Vice Chair
Randi Honkonen, Treasurer
Veronica Heer, Secretary
Madison Garvin Lee, Director at Large
Lucia Lombardo, Director at Large
Chris Makar, Ex Officio Director
Brian A. Palmer, Ex Officio Director