m a s t e r a r t s . o r g
Nominated for five Tony awards, Charlotte Brontë's great love story comes to life with music to lift your heart and set your spirit soaring. This beloved tale of secrets and the lies that secrets create, of unimaginable hope and unspoken passion, reminds us what it is to fall deeply, truly and completely in love.
Director: Allison Brito
Music Director: Randall Burghart
Peformances Dates:
SEPTEMBER 14 - 30, 2023
Thursday - Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
JANE EYRE is produced with permission from MTI - Music Theatre International
Stage Whispers
Vincenza Alfano (Ensemble)
Vincenza is making her theatre debut! Thank you for sharing your incredible talents with us!
Adam Bradt (Edward Fairfax Rochester)
This is Adam’s first show with Master Arts Theater, though he showcased his talents with Homeschool Performing Arts between 2013-2015 and, since 2019, has been in Pilgrim the Musical with Arise Collective Theatre. He enjoys the rich score and redemptive narrative in Jane Eyre; additionally, he enjoys the experience of sharing the stage with his wife.
“No one is so lost as to be unreachable from the grace, love, and mercy of Jesus.”
Jessica Bradt (Jane Eyre)
Though this is Jessica’s first appearance on the Master Arts stage, she has been here before as a choreographer for Fiddler on the Roof and mentoring as a summer camp teacher. She has graced many West Michigan theatres with her performances. She is currently part of the cast for Pilgrim the Musical with Arise Collective Theatre and a choreographer for Homeschool Performing Arts. She enjoys being able to perform alongside her husband and friends.
Allison Brito (Director)
Allison has been on the Master Arts stage before in Man of La Mancha and The Christmas Schooner while also lending her time to costume design for shows, most recently for Quilters. She has directed and costumed for other theatres within the Grand Rapids community.
"I'm thrilled to be directing my first musical, especially as it is one of my favorites!"
Aurelia Brito (Schoolgirl)
Welcome, Aurelia, to the Master Arts Theatre stage! Aurelia, having showcased her talents in two church productions previously, finds immense joy in singing.
Kelli Burns (Bertha Mason)
Kelli, who was last on the Master Arts stage as Marcellus in Hamlet, has lent their time and talent both on and offstage for various other performances or in the office where they work as box office coordinator. This marks their return to musicals since their high school days, and they are grateful to be redeemed from their last musical audition, which still haunts their dreams.
“Support your local wildlife!”
Aria Cousineau (Helen Burns)
Aria is excited to be in her first Master Arts Theatre show, adding to her repertoire of performances which include several musicals with Homeschool Performing Arts and Arise Collective Theatre.
"Thank you for coming!"
Beth Cousineau (Lady Ingram)
Beth's journey in the world of performing began at the age of 4. She now imparts her expertise as a vocal coach at Created To Sing. Her captivating presence has graced the role of the Narrator for Pilgrim the Musical with Arise Collective Theatre since 2016.
Ember Cousineau (Schoolgirl / Mary Ingram)
This is Ember’s first show with Master Arts Theatre. She has showcased her talents before as the iconic Mary Poppins in Homeschool Performing Arts’ production and as Irene Molloy in Hello Dolly. She’s also a part of Arise Collective Theatre’s Pilgrim the Musical. She enjoys collaborating with many skilled performers contributing to an inspiring production.
“‘For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.’ Colossians 1:13-14
Noble Cousineau (John Reed)
Welcome, Noble, to the Master Arts stage! Noble has showcased his skills in both Mary Poppins and Hello Dolly at Homeschool Performing Arts. He is also a cast member in Arise Collective Theatre’s Pilgrim the Musical.
Tatum Daniels (Schoolgirl)
Welcome, Tatum, to Master Arts Theatre! Thank you for sharing your incredible talents with us!
Alana Garnaat (Ensemble)
Alana was last on the Master Arts stage in 2016 as Mrs. Nelson in Little House: Christmas at Plumb Creek. She is an alumnus of Homeschool Performing Arts and finds joy in the enchanting music and profound messages that the performances bring to life.
“Thank you for coming!”
Brad Garnaat (Mr, Brocklehurst / Mr. Dent / Vicar)
Brad has shown off his incredible talent, from playing Frederic in Pirates of Penzance at Master Arts Theater to portraying Mr. Lawrence in Little Women at Homeschool Performing Arts. He holds the position of executive director at Homeschool Performing Arts.
Trent Garnaat (Mason / Ensemble)
Trent’s theatrical journey involved years of drama classes, camps, and shows. He has been in 6 shows with Homeschool Performing Arts, his favorite role being J. Bruce Ismay in Titanic the Musical. Currently, he is the business manager at Homeschool Performing Arts.
“‘The greatest picture of forgiveness and redemption is not found in a musical. It’s found in the saving work of Christ!’ Romans 8:1-2”
Mandy Jaster (Blance Ingram)
This is Mandy’s first appearance on the Master Arts stage. Her theatrical experience includes portraying Mrs. Corry and being part of the ensemble in Mary Poppins at Swartz Creek Center Stage. At Midway Theater Company, she took on the position of assistant director for Peter Pan Jr. Beyond her stage endeavors, Mandy has been involved in various choirs and ensembles. Collaborating with dedicated performers and directors, she’s been greatly encouraged and pushed to be better than she thought she could.
“The arts, specifically musicals, are so special to me. Stories expanded on by music tell such raw truths about the human condition that we can see ourselves in. Jane Eyre also offers the only solution, Jesus Christ, as demonstrated by Jane’s resolute courage and steadfastness in the face of horrible circumstances. My prayer is you walk away from this show with a little more hope than you did before.”
Addy Johnson (Adele)
Addy performed in Master Arts Theatre’s productions of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and The Magician’s Nephew. She also performed in Aesop’s Fables and Dr. Newhart’s Christmas Carol.
“I like acting and playing soccer.”
Hannah Karel (Ensemble)
Welcome, Hannah, to Master Arts Theater! Alongside her performances with Homeschool Performing Arts and Red River Lyric Opera, Hannah’s theatrical journey extended to Budapest, Hungary, with performances under esō theatricals. She enjoys being part of a production to bring one of her favorite novels to life.
Robb Lamer (Robert)
Robb’s journey in community theater began in 2009. Some of his favorite roles have been Don in Leaving Iowa and Marvin in California Suite with Holland Community Theatre, Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka, and Matthew in Anne of Green Gables, ensemble in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and a papa in Fiddler on the Roof.
“Jane Eyre is an example of how God puts us in situations that we would not choose. Still God is there and places us in the places that we need to be to fulfill His story.”
Ava Liceaga (Schoolgirl / Amy Eshton)
Ava’s most recent appearance at Master Arts was in last year’s production of A Christmas Carol. She was also in our 2021 production of Life Derailed and has been in classics like Hello Dolly and Annie at Homeschool Performing Arts. She appreciates the support and compassion exhibited by her fellow cast and crew members and feels fortunate to be part of such a talented and hardworking group.
“This story is beautiful and there’s always something to look back on, no matter how many times you see it.”
Martha Maxfield (Schoolgirl / Louisa Eshton)
Martha is making her Master Arts Theatre debut. She previously portrayed various characters in Midway Theater Company’s Narnia ballet. At the age of 4, a violin was put into her hands, and for the last seven years, she has been showing off her talent with the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra. She loves sharing this profound narrative of forgiveness, grace, and evangelism. When not on stage, she finds joy in singing with her three sisters, cuddling with her kitten, and contributing to her church, whether lending her voice to the vocal team or vacuuming.
“All glory be to Christ!”
Meg Pazdur (Adele/Schoolgirl)
Meg is certainly making a name for herself after recently gracing the Master Arts stage as part of the cast of The Secret of Redwall Abbey, following her performances in A Christmas Carol and The Magician’s Nephew. Her other credits are in beloved productions such as Annie, Secret Garden, Frozen, and Aladdin. She enjoys seeing her fellow performers in action and forming friendships with them.
Abigail Pletcher (Ensemble)
This is Abigail’s first show with Master Arts Theatre. She has previously showcased her talents in productions like Little Women at Midway Theatre Company, Hello, Dolly at Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, Seussical at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, and Pilgrim the Musical at Arise Collective Theatre. She greatly enjoys performing alongside her family.
CJ Pletcher (Mrs. Reed)
CJ is making her debut appearance at Master Arts Theatre, bringing with her a wealth of experience, including roles like Marmee in Little Women, Ruth in Pirates of Penzance, Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Meg in Brigadoon, Julie Jordan in Carousel, and Maria in The Sound of Music. She continues to contribute to the world of theater as Assistant Director for Homeschool Performing Arts. For this particular production, she enjoys sharing the stage with her son, daughter, and dear friends.
Luke 6:27-36
Eli Pletcher (Lord Ingram)
Eli is stepping onto the Master Arts stage for the first time, having previously performed for Homeschool Performing Arts in productions like Phantom, Jane Eyre, and Mary Poppins. A shared love for the stage runs in the family, as he enjoys performing with his mother and sister.
Ramiele Sucaldito (Young Jane)
Welcome, Ramiele, to the Master Arts stage! Ramiele has previously been at Stage GR in their productions of Aristocats, The Jungle Book, Dinosaurs Before Dark, and Winnie the Pooh and was in Seussical at Godwin Heights High School.
B. Mackenzie Thiel (St. John Rivers / Ensemble)
You may recognize Brenden from his most recent and captivating performance as Reverend Hale in Master Arts Theatre's production of The Crucible. He's also been onstage in A Christmas Carol, Around the World in 80 Days, When Calls the Heart, Man of La Mancha, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Alongside his love for acting, he delights in the opportunity to meet new people.
Allison Tousley (Grace Poole)
Allison’s most recent appearance at Master Arts Theatre was their indelible performance of Rosencrantz in Hamlet. Prior to that, they took on the role of Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show with Betka-Pope Productions. They also portrayed Lady Eugenia in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder with Caledonia Community Players.
“Always say hello to dogs.”
Molly VanderWest (Miss Scatcherd / Mrs. Dent)
Molly is undoubtedly familiar with the Master Arts stage, having taken on a range of roles, including Guildenstern in Hamlet, Esmerelda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Frances in Love Derailed, and Jane Bingley in Christmas at Pemberly. In addition to her work at Master Arts, she has showcased her talent with Caledonia Community Players, Stage GR, and Shadblow Theater. Notably, she was recently in Cinderella with Shadblow Theater. For this production, she enjoys working again with old friends and making new ones.
“‘I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.’ Oscar Wilde”
Jenna Walker (Ensemble)
This is Jenna’s first show at Master Arts Theater. She has previously showcased her incredible talent in productions such as Patience and The Pirates of Penzance with West Michigan Savoyards, Grease and Brigadoon with Shadblow Theater, and Parade and The Taming of the Shrew with Exit Left Theater Company.
Pam White (Mrs. Fairfax)
Pam’s most recent appearance at Master Arts Theatre was her role in Quilters. Her impressive repertoire includes performances in Enchanted April, Anne of Green Gables, Man of La Mancha, Christmas Schooner, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and many more. She takes great delight in being part of such a talented team that celebrates forgiveness.
“Thank you all for coming to share our love of theater. Special thanks to my family for all their support.”
