Jackson Prep’s spring play, Anne of Green Gables, will be performed April 25 to 28. With the opening night coming up in the next month, practices are starting to ramp up after spring break. 

Anne of Green Gables was originally written as a book by Lucy Maud Montgomery. After the first book was published she went on to write seven more, continuing on the story of a girl named Anne. 

Anne is an orphan who was accidentally adopted. Brother and sister Mathew and Marilla Cuthbert wanted to adopt a boy to work on their farm and were in shock when they saw Anne. The book and play explores the life of charismatic and quirky Anne as she enters a new world. Her imagination and curiosity play the biggest part in the book and play as she starts a new life.

Anne of Green Gables is directed by Ms. Emily Waterloo and Ms. Kristina Myers. It stars Ella Douglas playing Anne, and Briggs White playing the love interest, Gilbert Blythe.

Because Prep’s show choir, Reveillon, is in season, practices haven’t been super intense yet. So far, the cast has been learning their lines and getting into character. By studying the books and movies, the cast is learning to understand their character more, since the play adheres closely to the book. 

Ella Douglas has been preparing for her role by watching the movies and reading the books. She says “The challenge of my character is being able to capture child and grown up Anne throughout the play.” She says she is figuring out how to portray Anne’s younger and older self and “making sure the audience understands the difference”.

Though not typical in plays, Jackson Prep’s Anne of Green Gables contains a few singing parts. Because of this, the cast also has to practice singing. 

As things start to ramp up, the set is starting to be put together, built, and painted. Ella Douglas has been painting some of her set which is confirmed to be very colorful.  

Things have been shaping up and the cast has been preparing for Anne of Green Gables. Get your tickets at  jacksonprep.ludus.com.