Jane Austen's EMMA Cast

has been on the stage, whether acting, singing or directing for almost her whole life. Her maternal grandmother, Pat Humphrey, would produce elaborate Christmas plays every year for their local church and would cast any children willing to participate. In addition to acting in those productions, Jodie and her sister, Emilie, sang with a local music teacher for all of junior high and high school at various Christian events, including the Annual Torreon Christmas Tea. In 2013, and for the next two years, Jodie adapted, produced and directed A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens for her local church. Using her directorial privilege, she cast herself as one of her favorite characters, Mrs. Dilbert, Scrooge’s stingy and greedy housekeeper. Most recently, she volunteered as a stand-in for her sister’s drama group, the Midsummer Players, in their 2023 production of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Emma will be her first leading role in a professional production. “Thank you, Katherine Stewart, for adapting Jane Austen’s work so beautifully, making it entertaining for a live audience and still staying true to the spirit of the book, and thank you to the whole cast for working so hard to make this come to life. Thank you to my family for believing in me and supporting me in all of my creative work.”

Born at the height of the doo-wop era, Mr. banker grew up in the suburbs of New Jersey. After running away from home at age 16, he spent time in a hippie enclave in the Rockies and then Ashra in India before going to law school and settling down in a small town in the Hudson Valley. He has lived in this area and practiced law here since 1990 and helped run an art gallery in solo for a while. Living in a converted warehouse, he and his acupuncturist wife raised six children and an undisclosed number of dogs, he played fester in the Addams family at theater Mountain in Lakeside in the early 1990s. From 2001 to 2003. He was general manager of a local FM station, DJing a weekend program of punk rock and heavy metal. Interests include gardening, meditation, yoga, and woodworking.

Terri Watson is so excited to be a part of the cast of Emma, marking her debut performance on stage. She’s thrilled (and only mildly panicked) about speaking in a convincing English accent. Her daughter, Jane, is also in the play and this is Terri's last chance to keep her tied to her apron strings before Jane leaves for her mission leaving Terri officially an empty nester. After that, Terri plans to stay busy baking sourdough, teaching Pilates, and spending time with her other four grown children and three grandchildren. You may even find her golfing with her husband in the warm sun and cool breeze!

Jane Watson feels so honored to be a part of Emma. She has been so grateful for this wonderful opportunity to join this cast. On most days, Jane finds herself wrapped in creative writing, reading, and singing. Special skills include playing the right hand on piano, eating chocolate daily, and reciting the whole Twilight movie perfectly. Since Jane has traveled and lived all over the world, she is excited to be exploring this regency world. She hopes to not disappoint the infamous Jane Austen, her name twin. Jane has performed as Alma Hix in The Music Man, Young Nala in The Lion King, and the Nightingale in Once Upon a Mattress. She thanks you all for coming to support this performance!

Kristi Purdy is excited for her debut performance. She has always enjoyed going to the theater with her family, and with the encouragement of a friend is happy to step onto the stage now. She enjoys reading, karate, and spending time with her six children. She'd like to thank her husband and children for all that they do so she could participate in the play.

Lindsay is delighted to be making her theater debut with NPC in this production of “Emma.” While she performs often to amuse her six children, she hasn’t been onstage since her significant role in 7th grade, as a teenybopper, in her middle school’s production of “The Nifty Fifties.” Native to the East Coast, she’s setting down roots here with her husband and children on their little mountain homestead. She also enjoys her fulfilling work caring for the moms and babies of the community as an RN and IBCLC. Lindsay would like to thank Julian Fellowes, Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë and BBC for securing her love of British period dramas. She expresses deeper devotion and gratitude to her husband and their kids for supporting her as she grows in new ways; and her parents for being excited about everything she tries to do. Lastly, but not certainly not least of all, big thanks to Katie and Carson for giving her a chance.

Charis Johnson returns this year after performing as Shelby from Steel Magnolias in the spring of 2025. This time around, she is excited to perform as Jane Fairfax and Isabella. Charis wants to give a special thanks to cast, crew, Dad and siblings!

Daniel Webb is currently in his third and final semester. He graduates this spring with an Associate of Arts degree and plans to transfer to BYU in the fall. Daniel has been involved with several musical productions, including NPC’s most recent production of Once Upon a Mattress as Prince Dauntless. He is excited to be a part of Emma as his first play production. He wants to dedicate his performance to his mother, who loves Jane Austen and her work, and who, when growing up, made him watch many different period pieces with her. He thanks all who came to watch the show and support all the work we put into it. Enjoy the show!

Christian Nathanael Meyers is excited to join NPC in their spring 2026 production of “Emma” as Mr. Martin, Mr. Perry, and Mrs. Bates. This will be Christians fifth play with NPC, and he is excited to join with his friends in another play. Christian studied ballet as a company member of Arizona Youth Ballet under the tutelage of Ms. Christina Hampton and Mr. Scott Bodily from 2018-2022. He has performed the roles of Fritz in “The Nutcracker” three different times, the “Nutcracker” in three different productions, and the Snow King. He also starred as the Prince in Snow White and Flynn Rider in Rapunzel. Christian is excited to continue being a part of NPC’s acting family.

Herky is both nervous and excited to be part of the Spring 2026 production of Emma, where he plays Mr. Elton. Fairly new to theatre, Herky is very grateful for the opportunities he has been given. He participates in the acting program at Northland Pioneer College and is furthering his education at Arizona State University, where he hopes to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He hopes you enjoy the show as much as he enjoys performing for you