April 17, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

5 questions with Mallory Wagner

Mallory Wagner plays Jay in St. Joseph-Ogden’s “The Descendents”. We asked Mallory five questions before the final show today at 2 p.m. Here are the answers.

What is Jay like?
Jay is a rough-housing, tough, stealing jerk who ultimately realizes that a team and friendship is more important than his preconceived values.

Was it challenging doing a play that people are so familiar with?
Honestly, no, because I was so familiar with it. I knew what was required of me and that made it easier to get a handle on what I needed to do. It was a little nerve-racking getting into costume for the first time and realizing I’m not exactly like the Jay in the movie and trying to get over that was probably the hardest part. It was helpful realizing that I can take the character and make it my own.

What was the most challenging part of the production?
Learning all the dances. Alayna and I are the only ones in every big dance number, so showing up and having the energy to learn it all and do it well was the most difficult, not to mention, remembering it all. But it was definitely worth it!

What was your favorite part?
Probably getting to jump around on stage with my friends was my favorite part. Being able to look around and see the people I love smiling and dancing, having fun. That, or getting to see kids’ eyes light up when they see their favorite characters. We got to sign autographs, it was really cool! I felt like a Disney Princess!

What can people expect from the play?
A cheesy, heartwarming story about breaking down stereotypes. It was a lot of fun making, so it should be a lot of fun to watch!

in Schools
Banner
Related Posts

SJO third-quarter high honor roll

March 30, 2022

March 30, 2022

FreshmenBeckett, EJBenoit, AudreyBesson, WillBonny, SarahBrown, LandonClampitt, MadisonDavenport, AerolynDietiker, EllaDitchfield, LukeEnnis, JacksonFranzen, SavannaFunk, AddisonGerdes, TaytonGetty, OliviaHamilton, MakennahHarris, LaurenHesterberg, HaleyHouston, MaebreeKearney, SaraKindle,...

St. Joseph Middle School 7th grade honor rolls

January 19, 2022

January 19, 2022

7th Grade High Honor Roll Ahart, Lillian Albrecht, Samuel Bello, Abigail Benoit, Zachary Burnett, Colin Clark, Elizabeth Crider, Abigail Dahl,...

Franzen finds freedom in music

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Dakota Franzen is an inspiration. Marching Band Director Chuck Hess said Franzen’s efforts to be the best he can be...

SJO Fourth Quarter High Honor Roll

July 11, 2023

July 11, 2023

FRESHMANAmes, TrevorBarrowman, KylieBarrowman, LexieBeyers, KaitlynBird, EmilyBlackburn-Kelley, TimBonny, AidenBrooks, AddisonBytnar, SaraCampbell, ShelbyCarlson, JacobCarlson, WilliamChaudhary, RudraChilders, AdelynEricksen, KatieEvans, CallieGetty, AbigailGetty, CamdenHaley, WilliamHarper,...

Live at SJO School Board, Dec.19, 2023

December 19, 2023

December 19, 2023

It’s time for the Ag Curriculum review. These are always really interesting and showcase what strong academic programs SJO has....

‘It could allow us to avoid having our school year extended past Memorial Day’

February 3, 2022

February 3, 2022

St. Joseph-Ogden Superintendent Brian Brooks said that having an E-learning day yesterday and today made sense for the district. “We...

White reflects on time at PVO

May 26, 2020

May 26, 2020

By DAVE HINTONRantoul Press editor ROYAL — Earlier in the week, Vic White, retiring superintendent of Prairieview-Ogden school district, said...

SJO honor roll

July 9, 2019

July 9, 2019

Fourth quarter honor rollFreshmenBarton, Jaden Bensyl, Alanna Besson, Ella Burnett, Kennedi Fulk, Mackenzie Hamilton, Alyssa Ingram, Kailyn Klotz, Olivia Lannert,...

Franzen chosen to lead middle school

March 30, 2021

March 30, 2021

The new St. Joseph Middle School Principal will be a familiar face. The St. Joseph Consolidated Community School Board voted...

PVO to honor beloved teacher

March 13, 2019

March 13, 2019

Prairieview-Ogden will have a new award to honor one of their most beloved teachers. Kathy Klauda, the mother of Jennifer...

SJO honors night recipients announced

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

The following students were honored in mid-May by St. Joseph-Ogden High School during the high school honors night. • EIU...

Heritage High School Third Quarter Honor Roll

April 27, 2023

April 27, 2023

High Honors: Freshman: Kierra Dunlap, Anthony Happ, Tyler Ingerson, Faith Latham,Isabelle Lawrence, Ethan Lyons, Lukas Miller, Joshua Stierwalt, Leigha Tatar,...

Harper brings Wednesday Addams to life

April 2, 2022

April 2, 2022

The characters in the Addams Family are well known. But that didn’t stop the actors at St. Joseph-Ogden from putting...

‘This role has been an amazing one to take on’

April 1, 2022

April 1, 2022

Wyatt Loghry has loved the Addams Family since he was little. And now, he is playing the patriarch, Gomez Addams....

Comments
Leave a Reply