Isn’t it splendid? Q&A with ‘Anne’ director

By Editor | July 17, 2026 |

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY EMILY HILE
Apple Creek Community Theater presents “Anne of Green Gables” this weekend. Director Emily Hile talks about the production in this Q & A.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Lydia Tarakis plays Anne Shirley and Justin Ramella stars as Gilbert in Apple Creek Community Theater’s production of “Anne of Green Gables.”

By CHRISTINA McCUNE | DGKN

“It’s been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.”

Anne Shirley imparts these words as well as other uplifting and wise ponderings in Lucy Maude Montgomery’s timeless “Anne of Green Gables.”

Originally published in 1908, the novel became one in a series of books and then later has been adapted to movies and TV series.
The Apple Creek Community Theater is bringing Anne Shirley and other beloved characters to life on stage in three showings of L.M. Montgomery’s “Anne of Green Gables” at JRL Auditorium, 9130 Dover Road, Apple Creek, at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 19. Tickets are $10 at the door.

1. Can you please tell us about your upcoming production “Anne of Green Gables?” Why did you pick this show? Is it like the book or any of the series on TV?
“I originally tried to do a musical but due to funding problems I had to scratch the musical idea for this year and pick another play. I knew I would have a bigger cast this year and still wanted to be able to include some younger kids in the show. I wanted a show that people are familiar with. The more popular the show is the more likely you are to bring people in to watch the show. I had done “Anne of Green Gables” in college and really enjoyed it. I grew up reading the books, watching the movies, and then the TV show like a lot of people. I have always loved it. The cast size was perfect for what I was looking for and I knew a lot of people would like the show weather to help with it or watch it. There are a lot of scenes in this show from the books and movies like the boat and the green hair. Obviously they look a little different onstage than in the movie but still just as chaotic and fun. Most of our cast took their characterization of the characters from the movie characters and not the TV show version. So I would say more like the first movie but with some missing scenes of course.”

2. Can you please tell us about the cast and crew?
“This year I have 17 in the cast and then seven on crew. About half of my cast including myself grew up on the Waynedale stage or are currently at Waynedale. I have some homeschoolers, Kingsway people, Dalton people, and Wooster people in the show as well! My assistant director Michaela Miller and her family are towards the Massillon area. My youngest cast members are 11 and 12. There are a handful of cast and crew that are still in high school and another handful in their early to mid-20s. Then I have a few that have kids of course and even one with many grandchildren. We have quite a few relatives in the show, brother and sisters, mother and daughters, husband and wife and a daughter, and a grandmother and grandson. So many different dynamics and groups of people and it is so fun. That’s exactly what I wanted when I had started the theater last summer. A wide range of people and ages from all over the area. Of family and friends all doing what they love, theater.”

3. How have family, friends and the community been involved in making this show possible? Have you depended on a lot of donations? How did the fundraiser picnic go?
My parents Adam and Colleen Hile have been a big help in planning and talking things out for the show. They will both be there on show nights taking tickets and running lights for me. Michaela Miller, my assistant director, and her family have been such a great help from day one. From planning, to running rehearsals, to prepping food for the fundraiser, to bringing people to lean on when I am stuck and don’t know how to make something work. I have borrowed many items from Hiland High School, Central Christian, Sonnenburg Community Theater, Wacpac, and of course Waynedale. Carmen Yoder, who is playing Rachel Lydne, had previously done this exact show with her church a couple years ago. I was able to borrow costumes, props, and set pieces like the boat from her! Of course my cast and crew have been an amazing help as well from building sets, to mending costumes, to cleaning the school. A theater production takes a village and I am so incredibly thankful for the one God has given me. A few of my friends have donated towards the show but most of the costs have come out of my own pocket or were left over funds from last year! I am hoping to gain all that back with ticket sales and put more away for the show next year. Delight Howells, who owns Lincway Cafe and Market, has been a great help. They donated gift cards for our raffle baskets, hosted the fundraiser for us, and much more. I owe a grand thank you to them and encourage people to check out the Cafe if they have not yet done so already!
“The fundraiser was a lot of fun. We had a nice turnout and were able to cover some costs of the show already. Those who came enjoyed it, especially the little kids. We are looking forward to more picnic fundraisers in the future and hopefully bigger and better turnouts the more people hear about us and our dream!”

4. Are there any behind-the-scenes stories you would like to share?
“I think the one thing from the beginning was realizing how many people had done an “Anne of Green Gables” production before. Some did them at theaters together and did not even realize it! Another fun thing for the show has been the wigs that we are using, especially for Anne, and the boat. One special thing I like doing during productions is cast bonfires. It’s a unique way to get to know each other and become more comfortable with each other.”

5. What is up next for this theater group? Will you put on another show this year or around Christmas or next summer? Is there anything you would like to add that you would like people to know about?
“We would like to try and do a Christmas show. Location is still to be determined along with the show itself. Follow us at Apple Creek Community Theater on Facebook and Instagram for audition and show updates. Otherwise we are planning on doing another show for sure next summer. Same place most likely and about the same time! Stay tuned.
“I would just like to say that I am extremely proud of the group of people that have come together for this show! The way they work together and encourage together really inspires me and makes me really happy! They are all just so talented! I am looking forward to continuing to grow the theater and hopefully someday have our own building and our own space! I encourage everyone to come out and watch the show! It’s going to be a fun weekend. The cast and crew have been working incredibly hard and it would be a shame to miss the talent that is up on that stage and behind! If you come, don’t be afraid to seek me out and talk to me! I love talking to people