OH, ANNE!

Jordan Empson (she/they) is an Alberta-based artist and University of Alberta BFA Acting graduate. She is a multi-disciplinary artist trained in acting, clown, singing, and stage combat. Movement in any form is a passion of hers, and they are often found training various skills at the circus gym. She is also a skilled musician who plays multiple instruments, including but not limited to: guitar, violin, piano, and saxophone. They’d love to thank friends and family for their support! Select theatre credits include: OH, ANNE! (Carter-Ryan Productions), The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Edmonton Repertory Theatre), and Mermaid (Bleviss Laboratory Theatre).

Jorja Polischuk is a singer-songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist and producer originally from Cochrane. She is a graduate of Macewan’s Music Theatre Performance program and Bachelor of Music program, majoring in Recording and Production; studying voice. Carter-Ryan credits include: OH, ANNE!, The Cheezie Musical (Jen), The ABBA-solutely Fabulous Holiday Show. Jorja released her musical theatre tribute album SHOWTUNES in May 2026 (artist name Jorja) and has new original music underway! In her spare time, Jorja volunteers in Cochrane with Take A Bow Community Theatre, directing their youth musical productions. She’d like to thank her friends and family for their constant support! @jorjapolischuk

Emma is a triple threat artist, singer/songwriter and multi instrumentalist. She concluded her BFA at Sheridan College for Musical Theatre in 2025. Emma is constantly releasing new music. Emma had the opportunity to sing both the Canadian and US National Anthem at the Toronto Blue Jays Game. Theatre credits: Wendy in Hook! (Tweed and Co), Anne in OH, ANNE! (Carter-Ryan Productions), Nostradamus in Something Rotten, Campbell in Bring It On, Lisa in Mamma Mia (GBMTC), Annie, Olivier, Peter Pan, Snow White, Aladdin, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk (Drayton Entertainment). Follow her journey! @emrey_music

Abby McDougall (she/her) is an Alberta-based artist and University of Alberta BFA Acting alumna. She is thrilled to be working with the Carter-Ryan team again! Previous theatre credits include: The Wizard of Oz (Citadel Theatre); Into the Woods, A Christmas Carol (Carter-Ryan Productions); Robot Girls* (Shadow Theatre); The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Grindstone Theatre); The Merry Wives of Windsor (Theatre Calgary). Abby sends love and gratitude to her parents, and her wonderful partner Ben. *Sterling Award Nominee

Emma Ryan is an actor, director, and photographer based in Moh’kins’tsis and Amiskwaciwâskahikan, colonially known as Calgary and Edmonton. Recent Theatre Credits: OH, ANNE!, A Christmas Carol (Carter-Ryan Productions), The Innocence Of Trees (Theatre Network), My Name Is Rachel Corrie (Two Kids In A Trenchcoat)
Film/TV: The Abandons (Netflix), Please Hold (Cooper & O’Hara), Markings of Murder (Hot Shot Films). Emma holds a BFA in Acting from the UofA and studied for a year with The Barrow Group in New York. Many thanks to her dear friends that keep her laughing and dreaming.
@emgraceryan @emryan.photo

Bridget Ryan is a playwright, director, producer and theatre artist based in Canmore, Alberta, and Artistic/Creative Director of Carter-Ryan Gallery and Live Theatre. Since launching Carter-Ryan’s theatre season in 2018, she has helped build a year-round company devoted to original work, musicals and reimagined classics. Writing credits include The Cheezie Musical, Oh, ANNE!, People & Stuff, A Christmas Carol, A Winter’s Tale: The Musical, WedLOCKED and Saturday Night Club. Directing credits span Carter-Ryan Theatre, Edmonton Opera, Citadel Theatre, Mayfield Dinner Theatre and MacEwan University. A MacEwan Distinguished Alumni and CCM graduate, Bridget is thrilled to join Theatre Network’s 52nd season.

With more than 30 years in the music industry, as a recorded singer/songwriter, touring back-up musician, performer and music director/band leader in musical theatre productions across the country and internationally, Lisa is delighted to be a part of this amazing, sweet show. “Being from the east coast, with a history rich in all things ANNE, including 5 years as the music director in ANNE & GILBERT, it’s been a thrill to go back to that magical place, and with these amazingly talented performers, you are in for all the feels!! Huge thank you to all for your hard work. So proud!

Jason Carter is an Indigenous sculptor, painter, public artist and designer from the Little Red River Cree Nation in Treaty 8. Based in Alberta, his nationally recognized practice brings contemporary Indigenous storytelling into public spaces through painting, sculpture and large-scale installation. Permanent works can be found at Calgary Stampede, YEG, YYC, Microsoft, Stantec and the University of Alberta, with work held by the Museum of Aboriginal Peoples’ Art and Artifacts of Canada and upcoming at Glenbow. A MacEwan Distinguished Alumni and NAIT honorary degree recipient, Jason also designs all Carter-Ryan Theatre productions, including the world of Oh, ANNE! onstage today.

Brian Raine is a multi-instrumentalist and producer living and working in Edmonton, AB. With a BMus in Guitar performance from MacEwan University, Raine was accepted into the University of Ottawa to take a Master’s in composition studying under John Armstrong. As as a part-time professor he wrote and taught the curriculum for MUS 3315: Computers and Music before returning to work as a freelance music producer in Edmonton. Along with scoring theatre and film, Raine produces music for others in a multitude of genres and creates music of his own under the moniker Ways in Waves.

Morgan has worked in theatre from St. Johns, NFL to Victoria, BC. Some of his recent highlights include “Beautiful” at Stage West, “Pride and Prejudice” at the Citadel and select shows with Carter-Ryan include “Into The Woods”, “Bridget Ryan’s Joy To The World” and the recent hit “The Cheezie Musical”, which wrote the original score. Morgan is also a jazz pianist, and works as a recording engineer and arranger at MusicplayOnline. He currently resides in Red Deer with his choreographer partner Elisa and jazz drumming son Rainier. Morgan would like to thank Carter-Ryan Productions for creating a wonderful musical home over the years. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Lindy wears many hats at Carter-Ryan Productions, often moving between keeping the show on track and warmly welcoming audiences. She’s grateful to have found a theatre home with the Carter-Ryan Team and considers it a privilege to help create meaningful experiences for both audiences and artists. Whether you’re a familiar face or experiencing Carter-Ryan for the very first time, Lindy hopes your time with us leaves you feeling inspired and connected. Lindy is grateful to her family (including her theatre family!) and dear friends for their endless support, encouragement and love.

Roxanne Côté is delighted to be a part of the Carter-Ryan team! She’d like to thank her family, friends, stage management partner in crime Lindy, and the entire team at Carter-Ryan for the endless support and trust through the years. She couldn’t be more grateful and excited to be bringing OH, ANNE! to you in Edmonton. Enjoy the show!

New to the Carter-Ryan team this season, Braden has worked on a variety of productions with folks of all ages, from devised youth theatre, to outdoor Shakespeare festivals, puppet shows live-streamed to kids across Canada, and even a show in a curling rink. Most recently, he’s had the privilege of working with Tree House Youth Theatre and Prime Stock Theatre, out of Red Deer, as well as The Shakespeare Company out of Calgary. Thanks to everyone at Carter-Ryan for welcoming him to the team and to his wife Piper for her constant love and support. Hope you enjoy the show!