Note: This show is designed to be a strong ensemble piece with the entire company onstage the whole time creating transitions (a la "Our Town") and locations, listening to the piece, and reacting to it (even if they're not directly involved in a particular scene). Actors who don't have many lines might be integral to the physical storytelling.
Anne's story is at its heart about the importance of community, and it's vital that this piece find its voice as a communal telling.
This show is meant to have a flexible cast size with roles being doubled, tripled (or more) as needed. With the exception of Teacher (Older Anne), Younger Anne, Matthew, and Marilla, all roles may be cast any gender with pronouns being changed as needed. All roles may be played by performers of any age but Older Anne should appear older than the other performers and Minnie May younger.
Roles:
- Teacher (Older Anne) – Female, late teens/early 20’s. Wise, energetic and utterly magical.
- Student 1 (Younger Anne) – Female. Takes on the role of YOUNGER ANNE (ages from 11 to around 15.) A passionate dreamer.
- Student 2 (Marilla Cuthbert) – Female. Takes on the role of MARILLA (40’s-50’s.) Stern but loving.
- Student 3 (Matthew Cuthbert) – Male. Takes on the role of MATTHEW (40’s-50’s.) Shy but loving.
- Student 4 (Diana Barry) – Takes on the role of DIANA (ages from 11-15.) Sensible but always up for fun.
- Student 5 (Gilbert Blythe) – Takes on the role of GILBERT (ages from 13-1.7) Smart, charming and a bit mischievous.
- Student 6 (Rachel Lynde) – Takes on the role of RACHEL (40’s-50’s.) Nosey and outspoken.
- Student 7 (Muriel Stacey) – Takes on the role of MS. STACEY (20’s-30’s.) Intelligent, and caring.
- Student 8 (Ruby Gillis) – Takes on the role of RUBY (ages from 11-15.) – Sensitive and romantic.
- Student 9 (Jane Andrews/Mary Joe) – Takes on the role of JANE/MARY JOE (ages from 11-15.) Humble and practical.
- Student 10 (Josie Pye) – Takes on the role of JOSIE (ages from 11-15.) – A true mean girl.
- Student 11 (Prissy Andrews) – Takes on the role of PRISSY (around 15.) – Hardworking and a little self-involved.
- Student 12 (Lucilla Harris) – Takes on the role of LUCILLA (around 20). Hardworking and kind.
- Student 13 (Moody Spurgeon MacPherson) – Takes on the role of MOODY (ages from around 12-16.) A terrible worrier.
- Student 14 (Minnie May Barry/Flora Jane Spencer) – Takes on the role of MINNIE MAY/FLORA JANE SPENCER (ages from around 5-8) and FLORA JANE – Sweet and energetic.
- Student 15 (Mr. Phillips/Doctor) – Takes on the role of MR. PHILLIPS (20’s.) – A harsh, self-centered schoolteacher.
- Student 16 (Mr. Allan) – Takes on the role of MR. ALLAN (20’s.) – A kind, young minister.
- Student 17 (Mrs. Allan) – Takes on the role of MRS. ALLAN (20’s.) – A truly good person. Empathetic and wise.
- Student 18 (Mrs. Barry) – Takes on the role of MRS. BARRY (30’s.) – Uptight and proper.
- Student 19 (Mr. Barry) – Takes on the role of MR. BARRY (30’s-40’s.) – Proper and efficient.
- Student 20 (Miss Josephine Barry) – Takes on the role of AUNT JOSEPHINE (60’s-70’s). – Seemingly stuffy but secretly fun. Strong and in charge of every situation. Very wealthy.
- Student 21 (Mrs. Spencer) – Takes on the role of MRS. SPENCER (30’s-40’s). – Seeming charitable but a bit self-absorbed.
- Student 22 (Stationmaster/Mrs. Blewett) – Takes on the role of Mrs. Blewett (40’s) - harsh and mean and the Stationmaster– jovial and professional.