Kathleen has been part of Evergreen Players since 1966 and, in her words, has been fortunate to “work and play with countless talented, caring, and funny folks in this community who love theatre.”

Over the years, when she wasn’t busy raising a family or with her career as a pianist and music educator, Kathleen could be found acting, directing, building sets, sweeping floors, and doing just about anything else that needed to be done.

Today, Kathleen serves as President of the Board of Directors and continues to bring her experience, dedication, humor, and love of theatre to the Players. After nearly 60 years, it’s hard to imagine Evergreen Players without her—and quite frankly, we couldn’t do it without her!

Aaron has been a supporter of the Evergreen Players for many years. His wife and two sons have performed in, volunteered and directed various performances at the Evergreen Players. Aaron joined the BOD in 2023 and brings a strong business background as well as a love and support of the arts.

Jennai Howe Bachus believes the arts are one of the most important ways we come together as a community—to create, connect, express ourselves, and find a place where we belong. Having grown up in Evergreen, she loves that her professional experience as an organizational consultant and her passion for the arts have come together in what she calls “one of the most rewarding roles” she has had the privilege to enjoy.

Jennai has served as a board member and officer for a number of arts and education organizations throughout Colorado. While you won’t find her onstage, you will almost always find her in the audience, behind the scenes, or figuring out how she can help.

One of her favorite parts of Evergreen Players has been Drama Camp, which she directed and restructured from 2023–2025. Her love of community extends well beyond the Players, with a particular focus on the arts, youth, and seniors. She currently serves on the boards of Seniors4Wellness, which works to enrich the lives of seniors through connection, vitality, and independence, and Mountain Youth Musicals, which gives young performers the opportunity to grow through teamwork, leadership, hard work, and the joy of creating theatre together.

Jennai’s big dream is to see Evergreen’s performing arts organizations working together to create more opportunities, more welcoming spaces, and a place for anyone looking to find community through the arts. Because to her, that’s really what the arts are all about—bringing people together.

Ryan spent a good part of his life roaming around before finally landing in Colorado in 2016. He attended the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he earned a degree in Sports Management. After five years working in college athletics, Ryan decided it was time for a change and made the leap into the world of data analytics.

Ryan has found plenty of ways to be part of Evergreen Players over the years. You may have seen him onstage in The Old Man and the Old Moon—or you may not have seen him at all, because he was busy painting sets or hiding in the sound booth.

He is also a founding member of Third Side Theatre Company, a Denver-area group of actors, musicians, playwrights, designers, and other creative types creating unconventional, original theatre.

When he’s not at the theatre, Ryan spends his days analyzing data for The Nature Conservancy and his free time hanging out with his wife, Katrina. He brings a great mix of creativity, curiosity, and behind-the-scenes know-how to the Players—and we’re very glad his roaming eventually brought him our way.

Tara Emch has been an important part of Evergreen Players’ success for many years. She has worn many hats within the organization, most recently serving as Executive Director. Today, she continues to share her time and knowledge as a member of the Board of Directors and as the Players’ historian.

Tara’s commitment to the Evergreen community extends well beyond the Players. She currently works for the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce and is a board member and tireless volunteer for several organizations throughout the community. If something good is happening in Evergreen, there’s a pretty good chance Tara is involved!

Before turning much of her energy toward serving the community, Tara spent more than 25 years in business, management, and sales, including serving as Vice President and Branch Manager at Cherry Creek Colorado State Bank and Trust.

Tara brings an incredible combination of business experience, community knowledge, and a genuine willingness to help wherever she is needed. Evergreen Players is incredibly fortunate to have her as part of our organization.

When asked why Evergreen Players? Tara responded, "I went to see Hair one summer and a week later I was on the payroll. I loved everything about the organization. The people are great, the energy is so positive, and it is a wonderful way to bring our Evergreen community together. I knew I had to be part of it! And since I can't act, working behind the scenes was a perfect fit. I am thrilled to be part of the Evergreen Players family." 

Leann Ritter grew up right here in Evergreen and has been part of the local theatre community for much of her life. She attended New York University, where she majored in acting, and spent eight years studying and working in theatre and film in New York City before making her way back home to Colorado.

From 2016–2021, Leann ran Evergreen Players’ Summer Drama Camp. You may also have seen her onstage in The Old Man and the Old Moon or alongside her now-husband, Eric Ritter, in The Explorers Club.

Leann continues to stay busy in the theatre world as a founding member of Third Side Theatre Company, a Denver-area group of actors, musicians, playwrights, designers, and other creative types who make unconventional, original theatre.

When she’s not involved in a production, Leann works with the Michele Vanags State Farm team and spends her time with Eric and their two kiddos, Tyler and James. Whether it’s theatre, family, work, or community, Leann always seems to have something going on—and we’re lucky Evergreen Players continues to be one of those things.

JJohn and his wife, Kathleen, became part of the Evergreen Players family when they moved to Evergreen more than 50 years ago. While the two shared the stage in many productions over the years, it soon became clear that John’s greatest theatre talents might just be behind the scenes.

From lighting and sound design to stage management and administrative duties, John became one of those people the Players could always count on. His love of community theatre extended beyond Evergreen as well, serving on the Boards of Directors for both the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) and the Colorado Community Theatre Coalition (CCTC).

John passed away in January 2023, leaving behind a remarkable legacy and a very big hole in the Evergreen Players family. His knowledge, dedication, humor, and friendship are deeply missed.

John was, and always will be, the “Heart of the Players.” In his honor, Evergreen Players will always hold a seat for him on our Board—a reminder of the many years he gave to this organization and the lasting place he holds in our hearts.

Marilyn has been part of Evergreen Players since 2011, when she first appeared on stage in The Women of Lockerbie. Since then, she has performed in many productions and has been involved in just about every area of the theatre, including props, set dressing, front of house, and, as we like to say, “volunteer of all trades.”

Today, Marilyn continues to be an important part of Evergreen Players. She serves on the Board of Directors and works as a production manager, actor, mentor, and whatever else might be needed to help get a show on stage.

Marilyn’s willingness to jump in, lend a hand, and share her experience has made her a valued part of the Players for more than 15 years. We’re lucky to have her!

Scott is a retired educator with more than 30 years of experience teaching theatre. Most recently, he was the theatre teacher and director at Evergreen High School, where he taught classes and directed plays, musicals, and improv.

Scott is also a founding member of EPiC, Evergreen Players’ improv comedy team. He directed the group for more than a decade and still enjoys taking the stage as an EPiC player.

Over the years, Scott has directed many productions for Evergreen Players, including The 39 Steps, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), The Big BM, and Leaving Iowa. His many years of experience, both as an educator and director, along with his love of theatre and comedy, have made him a wonderful part of the Evergreen Players community.

Matt Bachus is a full-time real estate broker and managing partner with Tupper’s Team in Evergreen, as well as a part-time stage and television commercial actor represented by Radical Artists Agency in Denver.

Matt has been involved with Evergreen Players for more than two decades as a board member, officer, actor, and founding member of EPiC, Evergreen Players’ improv comedy team.

Outside of the Players, Matt is a family man through and through—a proud dad to two outstanding young women and husband to an equally amazing woman. He has also served on the Jefferson County Cultural Council as part of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) and is a longtime supporter of the arts, his community, and just about anything that brings people together and makes them feel cared for.

Matt brings a lot of energy and passion to the Evergreen Players Board and is always ready to jump in, share an idea, or help move something forward.