by Anaïs Mitchell
Directed by Dr. Elizabeth Harris
DIRECTED BY DR.ELIZABETH HARRIS
Assistant Director Reece Neiderhausen ‘21
Choreographer
Torie Pate Perdue
Musical Director
Joey Pace ‘16
Rehearsal Pianist
Ted Seaman
Technical Director, Video Production Mentor
Steven Stapleton
Scenic Designer
Joe Leonard ‘83
Stage Management Mentor
Carissa Gandenberger
Steve Fields, Assistant
Costumes & Makeup Mentors
Laura Martin
Emily Kean, Assistant .
Lighting Mentors
Jason Burgess
Sound Engineering Mentor
Forrest Goodwin
Props Mentor
Eric Brass
Production Mentor
L Prophater
Meal Coordinators
Erin Schultz
Kait Connelly
Master Carpenter
Patrick Walker ’99
OUR DIRECTOR
According to the late conservationist and environmental activist Dr. Jane Goodall without hope there is only apathy. It is hard to stay hopeful in our challenging world. Every day we are witness to another atrocity, another example of the worst of humankind. How do we maintain hope in a world such as this? In Orpheus’ darkest moment the Fates sing, “Nothing changes anyhow.” How many times have we said this to ourselves as we see how devastating our world can be? But here I must repeat the words of Dr. Goodall, without hope there is only apathy.
If we do nothing, then nothing will ever change. That is what Hadestown is about.
It is about having the hope to make change for the better when the odds are stacked against us. It is about choosing to be proactive in the face of despair. Things may not change, but without the hope for light there will always be darkness. Orpheus and Eurydice’s story is set, but they are an example to us to never give up, to keep pushing for the best outcome no matter the trials we encounter. Tonight, with this production, we dare you to take up the mantle of hope. Strive to live in a world of passion not indifference, because without it our world is left with nothing but emptiness.
The choice is yours.
Dr. Elizabeth Harris Co-Director, Theatre Xavier
Dr. Elizabeth Harris (Co-Director of Theatre Xavier): Dr. Harris has been with St. Xavier High School for ten years. She possesses an MA in Theatre with an emphasis in Directing from Morehead State University, an MFA in Playwriting from Spalding University, and a Doctor of Education from Spalding University. Before joining St. X, Dr. Harris taught acting at Northern Kentucky University and served as the Director of Theatre Arts for the CCM Preparatory Department. She has worked professionally as an actor and/or director for such companies as Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, Covedale Center for the Performing Arts, Know Theatre of Cincinnati, Flat Rock Playhouse, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and New Edgecliff Theatre, where she was artistic director for three years. Dr. Harris has had her original works produced in Atlanta, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh.
THE CAST
Orpheus .................... Nolan Linberg
Eurydice .................Natalie Schmall
Hades........................Will Wittekind
Persephone ......................Anna Klus
Hermes ....................Samara Wilkey
Fates ......................
Molly Crimmins
Charlotte McPeek
Megan Bailey
THE HARDEST WORKING CHORUS IN THE GODS’ALMIGHTY WORLD
Jackson Calvert
Riley Connelly
Jacob Dunker
Keegan Linberg
Jack Murray
Jack Olson
Urban Owens
Otto Owens
Laila Schlotman
Anna Thornburg
Martin Wietlisbach
Colin Wilder
Brooks Willmarth
THE ORCHESTRA
Keyboard.....................Ted Seaman
Percussion……………Thomas Kornalyak
Percussion…………… Andrew Felczan*
Violin...........................Matthew Benton
Cello............................Emma Hunt
Bass.............................Jane Hanneman
Trombone....................Jacob Noel
Guitar...........................Cameron Spicer
* Denotes St. X Faculty
Support for the Edinburgh Scholarship Fund
The Edinburgh Scholarship Fund helps students participate in Theatre Xavier’s annual trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where students will perform an original show while touring Scotland.
To Donate…
Make purchases at the concessions stands adjacent to the Box Office or under the stairs to the balcony.
Buy raffle tickets for the TX Quilt and Adult or Family Raffle Baskets at the table in the Theater Lobby or on the Theatre Xavier website.
Raffle Tickets for Quilt & Baskets
Single ticket ...... $3
Five...................
$12 (1 free ticket)
Ten.................... $21 (3 free tickets)
The quilt includes panels from each of the eight shows from the past four years, and additional panels from other TX events. The image to the right shows an example. The Family Game Night Basket contains a variety of games and tasty treat; Bourbon Basket contains the St. X bourbon and St. X rocks glasses – winner will need to show valid ID.
Or donate directly via the QR code.
Cast and Crew Bios
Charlie Adair (Costumes): Charlie is new to Theatre Xavier this year. He has been in no previous shows, but is eager to learn. He is on Costumes Crew for Hadestown and plans to audition in the spring. He loves travel, design, and culture, and is excited for his future years at St. Xavier High School and with Theatre Xavier.
Megan Bailey (Fate #3, Production): Megan is a senior at Ursuline Academy. This is Megan’s fourth show with Theatre Xavier. She has done all four shows on cast and three with Production Crew. She is thrilled to be Co-Student Producing her first show! She hopes you love Hadestown as much as she does!
Matthew Benton (Violin, Costumes): Matthew is excited to be part of this production at St. Xavier High School. In addition to performing on stage, he played baseball during his freshman and sophomore years and is currently the Concertmaster of the Strings Program. Matthew would like to thank his family, friends, and the production team for the opportunity.
Maxwell Brass (Props): Max is the Props Crew Head and this is his fifth Theatre Xavier show. He is excited to work with tools and make new props to be interacted with onstage.
Luca Brol (Stage Management): Luca is a junior at St. Xavier High School and is thrilled to be participating in Hadestown as a Stage Manager. He loves this show and hopes you do as well!
Ella Buckley (Costumes): Ella is a senior at Ursuline Academy, and this is her third show with Theatre Xavier. She is very excited to be a Costumes Crew Head again and to share this incredible show with all of you! She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support.
Jackson Calvert (Chorus, Dance): Recent credits include: She Loves Me (Arpad), Grease (Johnny Casino), and Jesus Christ Superstar (Apostle) Activities: Voice lessons, dance, and school choir. Jackson would like to thank his whole family and friends for always supporting him along his journey and to the amazing cast for always welcoming him. To his parents for always being his number one supporter, Grandma & Grandpa, and everyone in between.
Ben Colglazier (Stage Management): Ben Colglazier is a junior at St. Xavier High School and is ecstatic to be the Assistant Stage Manager for this show. He was previously the ASM for Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as Wally Webb in Our Town and in the Ensemble for She Loves Me. Outside of theater he enjoys playing tennis and hanging out with friends. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Finn Connelly (Production): Finn is returning to his Production Crew roots for Hadestown, where he made the poster, edited all the bios, and messed around with Excel Spreadsheets all day (Bill Gates can go way down to Hadestown). He would like to thank Riley Connelly for constantly reminding him that he wasn’t casted, Mx. Prophater for letting him go to guy circle, Lisa for tearing him apart, and Kevin Bacon.
Riley Connelly (Chorus): Riley is quite excited to be performing in Hadestown with Theatre Xavier! He has been doing theater for almost ten years, and his favorite roles have been: Colonel Mustard (Clue), Cardinal Richelieu (The Three Musketeers) and Kyle the Koala Killer (Tropical Jones LIVE!). He would like to thank Jack “The Guru” Murray for driving him home from rehearsals, and the fantastic people in Theatre Xavier. He hopes you enjoy the show.
Molly Crimmins (Fate #1): Molly is so excited to be joining this amazing cast in her Theatre Xavier debut! Molly is a senior at Beechwood High School. Some of her other productions have included Little Women (Jo
March), Bonnie & Clyde (Blanche Barrow), and Cinderella (Fairy Godmother). She recently attended Northwestern University’s 7week Summer Theatre Intensive, and she is also an alumni of the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts in Musical Theatre. She would like to thank the cast, crew, and staff of Theatre Xavier for being so welcoming and providing her with this wonderful opportunity. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Tom Cronin (Stage and Building): Tom is a sophomore at St. Xavier High School. Previously, he worked on Sound Design Crew for You Can’t Take It With You. This is his first time working on Stage and Building. He wants to thank his sister Molly, who did Hadestown at Mason, and he hopes you enjoy the show!
Abraham Curran (Stage and Building): Abe is part of Stage and Building. This is his first Theatre Xavier show, but he has performed with My Nose Turns Red Circus before. He would like to thank Mr. Stapleton and Mr. Dubbs for helping him get better at using all of the tools, and to his parents for letting him do TX in the first place. He is very excited for to be a part of TX and likes using power tools.
Timmy Donovan (Stage and Building, Sound):
Timmy is thrilled to be part of the Hadestown Stage and Building Crew! He has experience both onstage and behind the scenes in many past productions. He is especially grateful for his family and his grade school director, who first inspired his love for theater.
Jacob Dunker (Chorus, Production): Jacob is a sophomore at St. Xavier High School and is very excited to be in his third Theatre Xavier show. In the past he was in You Can’t Take It With You (G-man), and She Loves Me (Ensemble). He hopes that you enjoy the show!
Cameron Durio (Props): Cameron has done theater only one other time. He is in Props Crew.
Liam Fox (Sound, Video Marketing): Liam won the Favorite Cloud Contest in 2024 for his dynamic Roaring Nimbus. He is very excited to show you all what Sound Crew has been working on. He would like to thank his mother, father, friends, and cloud for their unwavering support.
Jackson Haber (Stage and Building): Jackson is a junior at St. Xavier High School. This is his second show for Theatre Xavier. He is excited to build the awesome set for this show. He wishes to thank Mr. Stapleton for being an awesome mentor for Stage and Building.
Bruce Hernandez-Villa (Costumes): Bruce is a junior at St. Xavier High School. He is a chill guy who likes to have a great time with others. This is the first show that he is a part of and is excited to help. He is also thankful to Aaron Vu and Anna Klus for encouraging him to join Theatre Xavier.
Keegan Hickey (Costumes): Surviving college applications, this is Keegan’s sixth show. He is so excited for you all to see the show. Bon spectacle!
Anna Klus (Persephone, Costumes): Anna is unbelievably excited for her final Theatre Xavier musical! She loves the opportunity to sing a very different style than she did as Amalia Balash in She Loves Me. She would like to thank all the new girls that have joined TX that really help complete the program! She hopes you enjoy the show!
Keegan Linberg (Chorus, Lighting, Stage and Building): Keegan is a junior at St. Xavier High School, and this is his sixth show with Theatre Xavier. He does Lighting, Stage and Building, and Ensemble. His favorite role has been Paul in You Can’t Take It With You. He also does robotics, choir, pickleball, and so much more. He can’t wait for you to enjoy the show!
Nolan Linberg (Orpheus, Production): Nolan is a senior at St. Xavier High School and this is his eighth show with Theatre Xavier. He has been in previous productions as Georg (She Loves Me), Crutchie (Newsies), and THE Kolenkhov (You Can’t Take it With You). He is honored to get to portray the dream role of Orpheus in this production of Hadestown, and he thanks Dr. Harris, Mr. Gabriel, Mr. Pace, his parents, and all those who have supported him through his ventures. He hopes you enjoy this wonderful production of Hadestown!
Luke Longtin (Costumes, Props): This is Luke’s sixth show with Theatre Xavier. He is excited to once again be working with Props and Costumes. He hopes all the hard work comes together well.
Sean Longtin (Props): Sean has not done any theatrical work before this. He is excited to do this because working in Props Crew is cool.
Will Loy (Stage and Building): Will Loy is a junior at St. Xavier High School and is happy to be part of his second Theatre Xavier production. His first production with TX was She Loves Me, and is hoping to contribute more to this show, He would like to thank his parents for pushing him to join TX in the first place.
Nathan Lutz (Stage and Building): Nathan is a junior at St. Xavier High School. He is assisting on Props and Stage and Building Crew with Theatre Xavier.
Charlotte McPeek (Fate #2): Charlotte is a sophomore at St.Ursula Academy. She participates in theater, lacrosse, cross country, and guitar. She has been in Cinderella, Godspell, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, and more. Charlotte would like to thank her family, friends, cousins, and the people who drove her everywhere.
Jack Murray (Chorus, Props): Jack is thrilled to be a part of this production of Hadestown. Jack has been in several roles in the past, ranging from Mr. De Pinna in You Can’t Take It With You to roles at local community theater productions such as Count Dracula (Dracula), Chuck Dulters (Tropical Jones LIVE!) and Black Stache (Peter and the Star Catchers). Jack enjoys writing and a good mocktail every now and then. Jack wants to thank Dr. Harris, his parents, the entire bass section, and his girlfriend for their support. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Miles Nelms (Sound, Video Marketing): Miles is an avid theater enjoyer, and he loves having the opportunity to work on Hadestown. Miles has done Sound Engineering for You Can’t Take It With You, She Loves Me, and Sound Design for Our Town. He wishes to personally thank Franklin Villing, Owen Smith, Liam Fox, and Forrest for an awesome experience with Sound Engineering. Also, a special shoutout to Daniel Rahn. Ooh, one more thing before he leaves you: come say hi to our crew! We’re the people at the back. You’ll see us.
Jack Olson (Ensemble, Production): Jack is the youngest of five kids in a family of seven. He is currently a freshman at St. Xavier High School. He loves listening to music and being with friends and family. He has recently just been the character Hei Hei in Moana Jr., while he has also been in the character Ryan Evans in High School Musical Jr. as well. He is excited to show off his acting and singing skills that he has been practicing for the past months! He would like to thank his mom, Meghan, his dad, Matt, and his sister, Emily, for being so supportive and influential to him being here today. He is so thankful for them and he never would’ve had the confidence to do this by himself! He would also like to thank everyone in Theatre Xavier because they have been so nice and welcoming to him in his first year!
Otto Owens (Chorus): Otto is excited to be part of the Hadestown Ensemble. He has also played Gomez (The Addams Family) and Peter (Peter Pan) with Leaves of Learning. He thanks his family, friends, and his brother Urban for his guidance with singing, and looks forward to bringing this powerful story to life. Go Bombers!
Urban Owens (Chorus, Props): Urban, a junior at St. Xavier High School, is very excited to share his acting debut with you in Theatre Xavier’s Hadestown! He has been in props in the past for TX productions of You Can’t Take It With You but is happy to finally be on stage in a theater performance. Urban wants to thank his parents for putting up with his grumpy late nights after rehearsal and his swim coach for being accommodating to the busy theater schedule. Enjoy the show!
Eric Schlachter (Production, Props): Eric is so excited for his third show with Theatre Xavier. He has had so much fun working with Production Crew. Bon spectacle!
Laila Schlotman (Chorus): Laila is a sophomore at St. Ursula Academy, and she is so excited for this to be her first Theatre Xavier show. She would like to thank her parents and all of the people who drive her! She has loved the process and can’t wait to come back.
Natalie Schmall (Eurydice): Natalie is a junior at Ursuline Academy, and she is ecstatic to be a part of one of her favorite shows! This is her first show with Theatre Xavier. Some of her recent credits at other theaters include Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Shrek (Pig 1), and The Little Mermaid (Pilot). Natalie would like to thank Dr. Harris, Mr. Pace, Ms. Perdue, and Mr. Niederhausen for putting this show together, and her family and friends for supporting her through it all. She hopes the audience enjoys the show as much as she does!
Austin Schmitt (Stage and Building): Austin has worked on one previous show, She Loves Me, and has worked in Stage and Building and Run Crew at his
time in Theatre Xavier. He is feeling very good about Hadestown and thinks it will be an unforgettable experience. Austin would like to thank his parents, the Hadestown directors, and his friends, who got him to join TX in the first place.
Annmarie Schultz (Stage Management): Annmarie is so excited to present her eighth Theatre Xavier show! She is a current senior at Mount Notre Dame Academy and has been at TX since her freshman year. She has helped build the show by working as the stage manger and student choreographer. She hopes you enjoy!
Owen Smith (Sound): Owen can jump the highest in Sound Crew and yell the loudest. This is why he has been on Sound Crew for seven shows.
Drew Stephens (Student Director, Production):
Drew is a junior at St. Xavier High School. This is his fifth show and he is very excited to student direct for this show. You might have seen him in past Theatre Xavier shows such as Our Town (Joe Crowell Jr) and in You Can’t Take It With You (The Man) and most recently as Tropical Jones LIVE! (Tex). He would like to thank family, friends and every film and theater director for giving him endless inspiration and ideas.
Jake Stites (Stage and Building): Jake has never done a show before, he’s excited because he likes nailing things together, and he wants to thank his friends for convincing him to join Stage and Building.
Peter Supinger (Lighting): Peter is a sophomore from St. Xavier High School and is doing lighting. He has been in three Theatre Xavier shows before Hadestown. He wants to thank his family, Shane, Braden, Jose, and others.
Anna Thornburg (Chorus, Dance): Anna has loved this opportunity and has been so excited to perform in her first Theatre Xavier show ever! She has had the pleasure of preforming roles such as: A Wickersham in Seussical (Junior Theatre Festival 2024), Cha Cha in Grease
(The Children’s Theatre), and one of the Three Blind Mice in Shrek Kids! (JTF New Works 2025). While she is almost always busy at rehearsals, performances, and classes, she loves to hang out with her friends and is always the life of the party! She would love to thank, friends, family, and directors for all their motivation and love throughout the process.
Franklin Villing (Sound, Video Marketing):
Franklin is a senior at St. Xavier High School and this is his seventh show. He is continuing to work with Sound and Video Marketing, and is excited to make it sound crazy in there.
John Villing (Costumes): John is a senior at St. Xavier High School. He is in Costumes and has been in Costumes for the last six shows. He would like to thank his parents and the Costumes mentors.
Aaron Vu (Costumes): Aaron is senior and this is his sixth show with Theatre Xavier. He has been on Costumes for every show and is happy to be a part of such an amazing community.
Nolan Westendorf (Sound): This is Nolan’s first show at St. Xavier High School, but he has done many theater shows before. He is doing Sound, and loves working with the community and friends here. Nolan enjoys playing viola, coding games, and hanging out with friends.
Martin Wietlisbach (Chorus): Marty is excited to make his Theatre Xavier debut as a Worker in Hadestown! He has previously performed the roles of Reverend Shaw Moore in Footloose and Harry MacAfee in Bye Bye Birdie. Marty would like to thank his family for all their support. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Colin Wilder (Chorus): This is Colin’s first Theatre Xavier performance. Colin has done many shows through the Moss Performing Art Program in Northern Kentucky. He has done The SpongeBob Musical as Plankton. He was in Something Rotten and Once Upon a Mattress
as Ensemble. He is very excited to share TX’s production of Hadestown!
Samara Wilkey (Hermes): Samara plays the role of Hermes and is very excited for her first production with Theatre Xavier. She loves this show and is so happy to get to perform on the stage where she has seen so many shows performed. Some of her more recent roles at other theaters include Rafiki in The Lion King Jr., Seitz in Newsies Jr., and John Darling in Pete (Her) Pan. She would like to thank her cousins for introducing her to TX, her parents for all the trips to and from rehearsal, her cast for being the best of gods and man and, for all who came to see her and others, she thanks you for telling the story again with her.
Brooks Willmarth (Chorus, Props): Brooks is a junior at St. Xavier High School. He is a proud member of the ensemble for this show. This is his fifth show with Theatre Xavier, and he hopes to do many more! In his free time he spends time singing, reading, or writing short stories.
Will Wittekind (Hades): Will is a senior, and will be preforming as Hades. Following his performance as Caiaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar, this is Will’s second performance with Theatre Xavier. Will extends a huge thank you to his loving and supporting parents Jason and Annie. As well, he thanks everyone who has been apart of his journey in performance through his final year in high school. This is one of Will’s favorite musicals, and he is incredibly excited for the opportunity to preform tonight.
