When “Teen” Means Top Talent: The Cast of Hadestown: Teen Edition

From the Left:  Maggie McGoldrick, Vinson Jin,  Jayden Wynn, Aaron Ruiz, and Evie Barnett

Tickets

When audiences hear “Teen Edition” in the title of a musical, it’s easy to make assumptions. Maybe the music will be simplified, the performances rough around the edges, or the experience somehow “less than” what you’d expect from a mainstage production. But step into Woodland Opera House’s Hadestown: Teen Edition and those assumptions are immediately, joyfully shattered. Here, what’s on display is a level of artistry and maturity that makes the “teen” tag seem almost incidental—except for the fact that this production might be the ideal way to experience Anaïs Mitchell’s mythic musical.

More Than Teen Talent: A Cast of Pre-Professionals

From the first rehearsal, it was clear that the principal actors of Woodland’s Hadestown weren’t just passionate teenagers—they’re emerging professionals, already boasting years of training and a depth of insight rare at any age.

For instance, Maggie McGoldrick, who plays Eurydice, has been performing since the age of four. “I’ve been taking weekly private voice lessons since I was four years old. I have trained in tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, hip hop and have been taking dance consistently since I was three. I have recently added weekly private acting lessons,” she shares. Her resume rivals many adults, but it’s her resilience—learning to dance again after major reconstructive hip surgery and spinal fusion—that makes her performance unforgettable. “The strength I developed through all of this helps me relate to Eurydice. We are both fighters.”

Jayden Wynn, stepping into the shoes of Hermes, brings a distinct combination of musicality and life experience. “I’ve just recently started my acting journey with about 2 years now of performing. But before that I was really into jazz, playing for my high school and still playing jazz now,” Jayden explains. His transition from music to acting was guided by college-level training: “I’ve had the great opportunity of taking a couple of Ryan Adame’s classes. I learned not only about how to move on stage but also the awareness needed to work a stage and work with others.” Jayden’s personal connection to Hermes runs deep: “I relate to Hermes, because of the aspect of being a guardian or ‘parental’ guide. My life as an older brother, I had to help raise my younger siblings. So with Hermes not being Orpheus’s dad but still guiding him with life, I see bits and pieces of my life in him.”

Vinson Jin, our Orpheus, comes from a background in theatre and pop music but approaches his role with a professional’s self-awareness and emotional depth. “Orpheus is a very emotionally in-tune person, and I draw a lot from my own personal experiences and life into my portrayal of the character. He is a true representation of that inner child in many people, and that’s how I hope to portray him: to demonstrate the shift between that inner child within us and our coming to terms with the way reality can sometimes be.” Vinson’s maturity as an artist is matched by his technical training, including private vocal and acting lessons, honed through a long history of performance.

Aaron Ruiz’s Hades is shaped by years of rigorous training and a nuanced understanding of character. “I’ve had vocal lessons with the amazing Carrie Hennessey for four years. Acting classes for four years at performing and fine arts academy, under Rick Gott, and Karen Pollard. Three years of ballet training with Abelardo Cisneros. And a Sac Ballet summer intensive!” he lists. Aaron is drawn to the complexity of Hades: “He is a god, but feels very human emotions, of love, loss, and jealousy. I think I can relate to some of those strong feelings.”

And then there’s Evie Barnett as Persephone, whose artistry is inseparable from her curiosity about the world. “Persephone is such a wonderful character, because she holds life not only in her most vibrant moments, but in the fact that she has deep layers like the rest of us. I relate to Persephone’s appreciation for the world around her, and her love for connection with others.” Evie’s passion for both theatre and marine biology speaks to a performer—and a person—who finds wonder everywhere.

Complex Stories, Intelligent Storytellers

What becomes clear as you talk to these young artists is how seriously they take their craft. They see themselves on a professional trajectory. “I hope to have graduated from college with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, and start working full time in the industry,” says Maggie. Vinson echoes this ambition: “Performance of some sort, hopefully based in LA or NYC.”

But it’s not just about talent and training—it’s about insight. These performers are thinkers, storytellers, and collaborators. They speak with a maturity that belies their years, reflecting on the show’s themes and their own journeys with eloquence. As Jayden puts it, “During the end of the show when everyone is on stage as an actor, harmonizing and singing about telling a great story again and again really resonates with me. At that moment, we are more than just our characters, we are all storytellers. Bringing the audience along a journey with us as we show them just a bit of what theatre is about.”

For this ensemble, Hadestown is personal. Maggie is moved by “watching Hades and Persephone remember their love for each other. This scene is so moving because it pulls at your heart strings and gives you hope when you thought it was lost.” Vinson finds the show’s duality in its music: “It’s the form of unconditional love that I think makes it one of the most gorgeous songs and moments in the show… If It’s True, however, is almost the opposite. For the first time, Orpheus is pushed into reality, he is at the lowest point he has ever been at, everything has been taken from him and it’s reflected in the words, you feel the immense pain, loss and heartache he suffers.”

A Mainstage Experience—In Every Sense

Co-Director Tom Burmester notes, “There’s a persistent bias out there: some folks believe ‘teen’ productions are somehow lesser… I want to assure you—and ask you to help spread the word—that our production features the FULL score. The only thing ‘teen’ about it is the ages of the talented cast.” While the Woodland Opera House production is affiliated with their education program, unlike many other “Hadestown: Teen Edition” productions that charge significant tuition and a scaled back the experience, Woodland Opera House has invested in this show as a true mainstage event--tuition-free, with the same production budget as adult-cast shows. “This is not a student showcase. This is a Main Stage Production—and these young artists have poured their entire summer into making it unforgettable,” says Burmester.

In fact, Hadestown was almost meant to be performed by young actors. After all, if you were a god and could manifest as any age, would you be in your 19 year-old body or your 50 year-old body? There is a raw energy, an immediacy, and a sense of possibility in this cast that brings a fresh urgency to the story.

Why You Can’t Miss This

These performers are not just promising—they’re already performing at a level that rivals professional productions. “The people in this show are names you’ll be hearing more in the musical theater world,” says Aaron. Jayden offers a playful challenge: “YOU HAVE TO SEE THE FATES. They are amazing. ALL 600 of them.” And Evie adds, “There’s a ‘wow’ moment around every corner! Whether you know the show and already love it, or are looking for something to enjoy, Hadestown is deliciously relatable and heartfelt, and the music will get you humming on the car ride home!”

The “Teen Edition” addendum in the title is a licensing requirement, not a reflection of ability. Audiences will find themselves swept into an experience that’s as polished, moving, and unforgettable as any other. As Burmester reminds us, “When you sit in the audience, you will be swept away by the music and the storytelling. You’ll forget you’re watching teenagers, and then at some point, you’ll remember—and it will blow your mind.”