Archive
Jackie McCall Directs Aesop's (Oh So Slightly) Updated Fables at Augustana College
1. What show are you directing?
Aesop's (Oh So Slightly) Updated Fables
2. How many actors are you working with?
Nine student actors who play multiple roles in six fables.
3. What is it like to be back at your alma mater?
Walking into the theatre office for the first production meeting was a surprisingly emotional moment for me. I felt so lucky that I had been able to use everything I had learned there to build a career in theatre. And I feel honored to be able to come back and pass some of my knowledge and experience on to the next generation of Augie theatre students.
4. Why did you agree to direct this show?
Theatre for Young Audiences has always been one of my passions and I think it's wonderful that Augustana has starting incorporating TYA shows into their season. I was also very excited when I found out that two other Augustana theatre alums were going to be a part of the project. (The Playwright, Kim Esop-Wylie, and the set designer, Susan Holgersson.)
5. What do you enjoy about directing this show?
Of course I love all of the time I spend working on shows at The Old Creamery, but it's re-energizing to get to work on a project in a new place with an entirely new group of people. I'm sure I'll be bringing back lots of new tips, tricks, ideas, and contacts that will help me do my job at The Creamery even better.
6. Does the program at Augustana feel similar to how it felt when you were going through it or do you notice an abundance of differences?
A lot has changed, but a lot has stayed the same. I'm very impressed by the progress and updates that my alma mater has made while still retaining the identity of the college I remembering attending. Most importantly, I'm glad that the feeling that each student is special and not just a number still remains.
7. Have you gotten to see any of your old professors? If so, what has it been like to interact with them?
I've had the chance to catch up with a number of people from my past while here on campus, which has been wonderful, but the former professor I've gotten to spend time with is Jeff Coussens, the head of the theatre department. It's kind of funny, but even after so many years, it feels like we're just picking up where we left off. I owe so much of my success to Jeff, so I hope the show makes him proud.
The show opens on December 11, 2014. For more information please visit Augustana’s Theatre Calendar by clicking HERE.