Jane Eyre
by Paul Gordon and John Caird
Empress Theatre, 2022
Director - Andrew Jefferies
Music Director - Skyler Bluemel-Gines
Choreographer - Heather McDonald
Stage Manager - Michelle Hudson
Scenic Design - Leon Page
Costume Design - Kaye Lynn Wright
Lighting Design - Zac Bringhurst
Sound Design - Aaron Eatchel
Hair & Makeup Design - Cheryl Cripps
Sandwiched between Beauty and the Beast and The Sound of Music at the Empress, this production of Jane Eyre seemed fated to fade into the background. I was determined to help our show stand out by centering the story on Jane grappling with her religion and traumatic past, instead of her romance with Rochester. I staged the ensemble to be closely involved in the action, and then at the climax of the story Jane finally became aware of them - of the spirits watching over her throughout her life.