Prospero uses magic to conjure a storm and torment the survivors of a shipwreck, including the King of Naples and Prospero’s treacherous brother, Antonio. Prospero’s slave, Caliban, plots to rid himself of his master, but is thwarted by Prospero’s spirit-servant Ariel. The King’s young son Ferdinand, thought to be dead, falls in love with Prospero’s daughter Miranda. Their celebrations are cut short when Prospero confronts his brother and reveals his identity as the usurped Duke of Milan. The families are reunited and all conflict is resolved. Prospero grants Ariel his freedom and prepares to leave the island.
~ Courtesy Folger Shakespeare Library
Production Staff
Director - Jason Speicher
Producer - Brian A. Palmer
Assistant Director - Phoebe Levitt
Stage Manager - Jaimee Levitt
Scenic Designer - Travis Williams
Properties Designer - Jaimee Levitt
Costume Designer - Carolyn Speicher
Cast
Ferdinand, Boatswain - Logan Fondriest
Caliban, Gonzalo, Francisco - Patrick Goldman
Prospero - Verne Hendrick
Miranda, Stephano - Rosie Hernandez-Smith
Iris, Antonia - Raia Jane Hirsch
Ariel - Reagan Hyer
Alonso, Juno - Maggie Rusnak
Sebastian, Ceres - Kyle Smith
Trinculo - Mackenzie Wendt
Thank You
Aethereal Jest Arts Council would like to extend a special "Thank You" to the following groups and individuals:
Greater Columbus Arts Council
Geoffrey Martin
Jordan Sauer
Company
Logan Fondriest
Ferdinand, Boatswain
Logan will be portraying the roles of the Boatswain and Ferdinand in tonight's performance. This is Logan's third production with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. His most recent credit is the role of King Duncan in "Macbeth" [Aethereal Jest]. Outside of acting, Logan received his undergraduate degree at Ohio University and is developing a play entitled "The After Party" about the emotional effects of grief and generational trauma. Logan would like to thank his family, Verne Hendrick for inspiring him to be a better actor, and his partner and muse, Elizabeth.
Patrick Goldman
Caliban, Gonzalo, Francisco
Patrick will be portraying the roles of Gonzalo and Caliban in tonight’s performance. This is the first production that he has done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. Past credits include: Ray in “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” [Curtain Players], The Logician in “Rhinoceros” [The Public House Theatre], and Angelo in “Measure for Measure” [Switchboard Theatre Company]. Patrick would like to thank Kirsten for her endless support.
Verne Hendrick
Prospero
Coming Soon!
Rosie Hernandez-Smith
Miranda, Stephano
Rosie is making her debut with Aethereal Jest in tonight’s performance, portraying the roles of Miranda and Stephano. She is currently pursuing a BA in Theatre at Cedarville University. She thanks you for being here and hopes you enjoy the show.
Raia Jane Hirsch
Antonia, Iris
Coming Soon!
Reagan Hyer
Ariel
Coming Soon!
Jaimee Levitt
Stage Manager, Properties Designer
Coming Soon!
Phoebe Levitt
Assistant Director
Phoebe is honored to be the Assistant Director for this production of “The Tempest.” They have been seen in “Macbeth” [Aethereal Jest], “Tuck Everlasting” [Worthington Community Theatre], and served as Assistant Stage Manager for “The Importance of Being Earnest” [Aethereal Jest]. They would like to thank Jason, Lady (their grandma), and Jaimee (their mom) for supporting their progress in theatre. They hope you have good laughs and enjoy the show!
Brian A. Palmer
Producer
Brian served as the Producer for tonight’s performance. This is the twelfth production that he has done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. Past credits include: Michael in “The Boys in the Band” [Performing Arts Creative Ensemble], Director for “67 Cinderellas” [Blendon Middle School], and Marco in “A View from the Bridge” [Gallery Players]. Brian would like to thank Anthony, his friends, and his family.
Maggie Rusnak
Alonso, Juno
Maggie will be portraying the roles of Alonso and Juno in tonight’s performance. This is the third production that she has done with Aethereal Jest Arts Council. In those productions, she played Marilla in “Anne of Green Gables” and the Drunken Porter in “Macbeth”. Maggie wants to thank Phoebe, Jason, Jaimee, Brian, and the rest of the cast and crew for making this tempest more of a tea party than a storm.
Kyle Smith
Sebastian, Ceres
Kyle has worked extensively with both Curtain Players and Aethereal Jest. At Curtain, he played roles including Sgt. Trotter in “The Mousetrap” and Mr. Manningham in “Angel Street,” as well as directing “A Midsummer Night's Dream.” Past roles with Aethereal include Prince John in “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood,” Jack in “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and Malcolm in “Macbeth.” He holds an MLitt in Shakespeare Performance from Mary Baldwin University.
Carolyn Speicher
Costume Designer
Coming Soon!
Jason Speicher
Director
Coming Soon!
Mackenzie Wendt
Trinculo
Coming Soon!
Travis Daniel Williams
Scenic Designer
Travis is a professional artist and instructor who specializes in scenic design. In addition to designing and coordinating scenery for Aethereal Jest, he teaches at Columbus State Community College and is active in Columbus' local theatre scene. Travis earned his Associate of Arts from Columbus State, his Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University, and his Masters of Fine Arts from Kent State University. He loves drawing, painting, and building.
Board of Directors
Brian A. Palmer, President
Shana French, Vice President
Anthony Reitzel, Treasurer
Tina Palmer, Secretary
Randi Honkonen, Director at Large
Aayush Rijal, Director at Large
Chris Makar, Ex Officio Director