Jean Rahner (Jean Agnes Ann Pelicone) graduated Ketterlinus High School in June 1959.
Originally from Schenectady, NY, Jean and her family moved to St. Augustine in the summer of 1957. Her family discovered the charm and beauty of the city and St. Augustine Beach where there seemed to always be a breeze. She and her family resided at 5 Cincinnati Ave, within walking distance of Jerry & Rita Kass’s grocery store, St. George Street and Ketterlinus High School.
Jean has been directing plays since childhood, has loved movies and would make up plays with neighborhood kids including writing plays for elementary school classes and for the Girl Scouts meetings.
Attending an unfamiliar school, new teachers and the absence of friends proved to be a very difficult couple of years. Teachers of influence at Ketterlinus High School that guided her into her post high school career included her English Teacher, Ellender Alden. This was not always the best relationship…for some reason she kept calling Jean…that Yankee…but she opened the eyes of her students to literature, poetry and reading which in turn eventually lead to Jean’s interest in theatre. Mrs. Erkelens was also of great influence where she was the director of the school chorus and taught music appreciation. Jean prior to moving had some experience with Chorale singing and joined as a member of the chorus which resulted in a continued love of music, and proved to be helpful later on in her career in directing musical theatre.
Jean joined the “Little Theatre of St. Augustine “ at Davenport Park Waterworks building until it closed (circa)1966. The Little Theatre of St. Augustine was where Jean met her future husband Tom Rahner where he was starring in a production of “Stalag 17”. Rahner’s studio of photography was located just opposite the Fort on Fort Marion Circle.
She graduating high school Jean left for Germany July 2, 1959 to marry Thomas P. Rahner who was stationed in Germany in the U.S. Army. They traveled extensively to France, Italy, Spain, and Germany, before returning to St. Augustine. In 1964 she re-established the Little Theatre of St. Augustine and performed throughout the city.
In 1965, Jean Joined the cast of Florida’s Official State Play “Cross & Sword” written by Paul Green and performed in the newly built St. Augustine Amphitheater. She performed and sang in the chorus and later years acted in major roles. She served as public relations director for Cross & Sword until it closed. The entire family was involved over the years including her children Laura and Philip Rahner. Jean and Tom traveled from Florida to Canada, publicizing the city of St. Augustine and Cross & Sword over many years in full 1565 costumes.
In 1965 Jean was able to secure a position at the new Flagler College, established in the Ponce de Leon hotel, in the office of Mr. Charles Colee. As an employee of the college, she was allowed to take classes during her lunch hour. Jean’s interest was in literature and Theatre. She finished her studies and graduated Flagler College in 1978 with a Degree in Theatre Arts.
Post college, Jean worked as a director, stage manager, and actor at the Monson Bayfront Dinner theatre in 1989 with James Melfi and Michael Osborn and also worked with them publishing the “Real Estate Buyers” newspaper. When the Monson Bayfront Dinner theatre closed, another door opened for more theatrical possibilities.
Jean and Anne Kraft (KHS graduate 1957) met and worked together on a play for Little Theatre of St. Augustine and soon joined forces to open the “Limelight Dinner Theatre” in 1992 in the Monson Motor Lodge. It continued at that location until the Monson closed the dinner theatre. The Limelight Theatre became a nomad theatre performing in many locations through out the city: including several bars (in rooms above the bar) and courtyards. Visiting well known actors as: Patricia Neale and Rue McClanahan attended some performances .
Proceeds from the production “Flagler Empire Builder of Florida” (written by Tom Rahner and music by Daniel Humbert and performed in Flagler College Lewis Auditorium) allowed Limelight to rent a building on U.S. 1 (behind KK’s Tires) until 2001 when the Limelight finally moved into a building on Old Mission Avenue where it now is a successful, fully operating live (semi professional) theatre….now celebrating 30 years.
Jean worked at that location as Artistic Director, actor, producer and stagehand on many productions. She retired from Limelight Theatre as Artistic Director/co Producer in 2004, and quickly established “A Classic Theatre, Inc.” in 2005, producing a number of plays, beginning performances in the St. Johns Cultural Council building at St. Augustine Beach.
A Classic Theatre was invited by Mr. Otis Mason to use the second floor of the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center on MLK Avenue. From 2014 until 2022 ACT produced a number of plays at that location. The first play at that location was “Tea with Zora and Marjorie” a play about the friendship between Zora Neale Hurston and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.
Among the many performances, Jean has appeared in the production “Dog in the Manger” directed by Richard Boone and performed in the pool area of Alcazar hotel for the bicentennial. Another was appearing in a production of “Romeo and Juliet”, the first performance in the new Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College. Jean has directed and/or produced in over 40 plays and directing credits including playhouses throughout Florida such as the Theatre Jax, Players By The Sea, and Flagler Playhouse.
Honors and Recognitions of Jean include:
- *Was honored to be placed on the photo wall of Fame for Flagler College Theatre department in Lewis Auditorium.
- *Received the ROWITA award: Recognizing Outstanding Women in the Arts. Leadership award 2014.
- *Limelight Theatre award as co-founder of Limelight from Board of Directors
- *City of St. Augustine: “La Florida” Award, with Tom Rahner, Sept 9, 2019 for contributions to the Arts for St. Augustine and the state of Florida.
- *EWLI: Enterprising Women’s Leadership Institute 2014.
- *Flagler College. Awarded “Alumni of Distinction” May 2019.
- *Recognized for service of many years for WFCF (88.5) radio for years of Broadcasting the program “Kaleidoscope.” Also produced the radio play “War of the Worlds” for WFCF which airs every Halloween, produced by ACT.
Jean has continued to act and direct on occasion for Flagler College Theatre Department as a guest artist as well as working as an adjunct teacher for Flagler College in Broadcast Communications and Public Speaking. Throughout her career she has continued her education taking various classes at Jones College of Broadcasting, UNF Communications/Broadcasting, JU Communications and photography classes at First Coast Technical College.
Currently Jean is co-directing the play “Lifespan of a Fact” for ACT to be presented at the Waterworks building on San Marco. She will be directing the one man play “Tru” about Truman Capote for Limelight Theatre in November.
Her family includes daughter Laura Rahner Olsen (graduated SAHS 1978) and her husband, Mr. James Olsen. Laura & Jim have 2 daughters: Diana Olsen and Maggie Olsen Smith and one grandson Sawyer Smith. Son Philip Rahner (graduated SAHS 1980) and wife Abigail Santiago. Twin daughters: Lindsey Rahner Augustine, husband Seth. (one son, Slater), Ashley Rahner Spears, husband Jamie (one son, Leo).
Jean serves as Vice President for First Coast Opera (has directed for FCO and now works on opera performance backstage. She served on the Board for St. Johns Cultural Council, was a member of the Flagler College “Visual and Performing Arts Committee,” and a member of EMMA music association.