Last weekend was the annual Wilhelm Tell Festival, held every Labor Day weekend since 1938. Along with the presentation of the Wilhelm Tell pageant, there were many other events for visitors to enjoy. See more photos in the photo gallery on this website.

Wilhelm Tell Drama 2016 Cast of Characters

We wish to remember Robbie Schneider, a long-time Tell Guild member who passed away recently

Herman Gessler, Governor of Schwyz and Uri: Paul Jennrich

Rudolph der Harras, his Lieutenant: Joe Mondloch

Werner, Baron von Attinghausen: Jim McNeill

Berta von Bruneck, a noble Austrian Heiress: Aimee Kujak

Ulrich von Rudenz: Gavin Binger

People from Uri

Wilhelm Tell: Matt Streiff

Hedwig, Tell’s Wife: Sara Siegenthaler

Walter Tell: Eli Zimmerman

Wilhelm Tell Jr .: Simon Zimmerman

Walter Furst, Hedwig’s Father: Jim Hoesly

Rosselman, the Priest: John Lienhardt

Kuoni, the Shepherd: Karl Lueschow

Ruodi: Ed Brand

Seppi, the Shepherd Boy: Clayton Streiff

Werni, the Hunter: Dean Streiff

Jenni, the Fisher Boy: Nathan Streiff

People from Schwyz

Werner Stauffacher: Mark O’Leary

Gertrude, Stauffacher’s Wife: Ann O’Leary

Itel Reding: Jonah Thompson

Hans auf der Mauer: Noah Zimmerman

People from Unterwalden

Arnold von Melchthal: Hunter Tierman

Konrad Baumgarten: Damien Babler

Strutt von Winkelreid: Chris Rear

Meier von Sarnen: Pat Slattery

Friesshardt: Mark Schafer

Leuthold: Braxton Schafer

Stuessi: Milo Hoesly, Jim Hoesly

Master Mason: Noah Meter Brooks, Dan Gartzke

Fronvogt: Eric Schween

Old Man: Dennis Streiff

First Worker: Braxton Schafer

Second Worker: Pat Slattery

Town Crier: Kevin Budsberg

Drummer: Brock Lueschow

Traveler: Braxton Schafer

Slater Boy: Braden Rear

Lady-In-Waiting: Miriam Seitz, Ellie Eichelkraut

Peasant Women:

Melchtild: Lauri Fuller, Betsy Meter Brooks

Elsbeth: Julie Johnson

Apple Woman: Becki Streiff

Attinghausen Servants: Jane Fahey, Mary Usher

Hay Woman: Jane Fahey

Armgard: Heidi Mondloch

Groom’s Father: Pat Slattery

Bride: Ellie Eichlkraut, Jenna Krantz

Groom: Taylor Funseth

Monks – Directed by John Lienhardt: Kevin Lienhardt, Ronald Legler, Jonah Thompson, Travis Zimmerman

Choir and Goat Boys – Directed by Kayla Zimmerman

Goat Boys: Beckett Malaise, Abraham Thompson, Eli Zimmerman, Simon Zimmerman, Jonah Thompson, Jessiah Tetner, Jacob Tetner, Clayton Streiff, Nathan Streiff, Jackson Julien, Cooper Julien, Braden Rear, Tyse Hoesly, Karson Wenger, Nathan Hendrickson, Cade Thayer, Andrew Nimtz, Austin Nimtz, Lance Brecklin

Choir Boys: Beckett Malaise, Abe Thompson, Simon Zimmerman, Clayton Streiff, Jackson Julien, Cooper Julien, Braden Rear, Tyse Hoesly, Karson Wenger, Cade Thayer, Nathan Hendrickson, Lance Brecklin

Riders: Bob Seitz, Toni Seitz, Miriam Seitz, Joy Walker

Animal Hauling: John Ott, Elliott Buol, Margot Eastham, Toni Seitz, Miriam Seitz, Joy Walker

Soldiers – Directed by Dan Gartzke and Chris Rear: Will Doeseckle, Karl Schwoerer, Jonah Thompson, Noah Zimmerman, Jessiah Tetner, Jake Tetner, Andrew Nimtz, Reeve Binger, Jared Martison

Peasants: Dedicated volunteers from the community of New Glarus and surrounding area, also other members of the cast serve as peasants throughout the play

Bell Ringers – Directed by Diane Bettin: Ava Boyle, Dakoda Baker, Annaka Boldebuck, Keatan Zimmerman, Helen Marty, Jordyn Runde, Annelise Smith, Jack Douman, Abraham Thompson, Jenna Krantz

Swiss Miss Dancers – Directed by Nicki Maynard and Aleta Martinson: Camryn Arnett, Lauryn Arnett, Adaline Bedward, Hannah Boldebuck, Ava Hendrickson, Allyson Judd, Leslie Krantz, Delaney Lynch, Ansley Lynch, Emma Martinson, Lily Maynard, Holly Maynard, Sophia Stecha, Emma Thompson, Paytin Vandegrift, Victoria Vandegrift

Wedding Dancers – Directed by Angie Rear: Taylor Carnes, Ellie Eichelkraut, Analise Fuller, Caroline Ingwell, Evelyn Bedward, Annaka Boldebuck, Abigail Hendrickson, Emily Julien, Jenna Krantz, Madeline Thomke, Keatan Zimmerman, Allison Baker, Alana Bay, Emma Martinson, Lily Maynard, Lucy Melvin, Ruby Righter, Victoria Vandegrift

Usherettes – Directed by Mary Funseth and Kristin Lueschow

Alphabetical by Cantonal Costume Worn

Aargau, Kendra Wenger; Appenzell, Abby Marty; Basel, Katherine Gregory; Bern, Kelly Fredrickson; Fribourg, Haiden Zimmerman; Glarus 13th Century, Emily Elkins; Glarus 20th Century, Karsten Rossing, Sidney Stecha; Graubunden, Amelia Newberry; Luzern, Devon Boll; Neuchatel, Celeste Thalhammer; New Glarus, Jenna Anderson; Schaffhausen, Jada Malaise; Schwyz 20th Century, Sydney Stecha; Solothurn, Samantha Burgess; Thurgau, Brooke Watrud; Ticino, Jill Marty; Vaud, Elizabeth Woerpel; Zug, Alexa Thayer; Zurich, Libby Fuller

Alphorns: George Albright, Ed Brand, Heinz Mattmann

Directors: Julie Johnson and Mark Schafer, assisted by Taylor Funseth

Wardrobe: Under the direction of Tiffany Schwoerer, assisted by Karen Wenger, Kathy Elkins, Teresa Pelton and Janet Kujak

Yodelers: New Glarus Yodel Club

Animals – Under the direction of Megan Scheele: Riding Soldiers, Toni Seitz, Miriam Seitz, Ellie Eichelkraut, Jackie Eichelkraut, Molly Hultine, Shannon Seitz

Registered Brown Swiss provided by Voegeli Farms and the Howard Voegeli Family

Special Props: Soldiers helms donated by Albion Armorers of New Glarus. Use of Swiss Cow Bells provided by the Hans and Ruth Anderegg Family

Sound: Kevin Lague, Ben Bedward and Taylor Funseth

Announcer: Jeff Eichelkraut

Grounds Preparation Crew: Lloyd Lueschow, Karl Lueschow, Alfred Zimmerman, Travis Zimmerman, Jonah Thompson, Noah Zimmerman. Chairs removed by Tiffany Schwoerer and the New Glarus-Monticello football team, and set up by Steve Wehrley and the New Glarus-Monticello cross country team. Mowing by Karl and Lloyd Lueschow and Gene Dahlk (Shooting Park)

Website: Kate Douma

Tickets and Customer Care: Mary Funseth, Abby Bergeron, Kris Anderson and Rebecca Thompson

Concessions were under the guidance of John Wright, Kaye Gmur and numerous helpful volunteers

Special Thanks To: New Glarus Concrete for road grading, New Glarus Brewing Company for prizes for the Yodel Showcase, Tofflers Pub and Grill for supplying beer for the cast picnic, Hoesly’s Meats of New Glarus for the use of their cooler, New Glarus Vision for its work on restoring the Schuetzenhaus on Hwy O, Swiss Center of North America for storage facilities for our costumes and props, Brenda’s Blumenladen for the loan of flowers, New Glarus Utilities for paying the costs of printing programs, Steve Streiff for donation of his golf cart to transport patrons, Tom and Carla Wolff and Jim Schwoerer for assistance on gate repair and Butch Kiesz and Richard Irland for the repair work on Schuetzenhaus.

Wilhelm Tell Board of Directors: President Kaye Gmur, Vice-President Ann O’Leary, Secretary Jeff Eichelkraut, Treasurer John Wright, and Kevin Lague, Karl Lueschow and Kayla Zimmerman