December 26, 2025 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

St. Joseph Middle School 6th grade honor roll

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

LAST NAME FIRST NAME Arnold Ramsay Barnett Callie Beeler Henry Bello Adam Blacker Teagan Blakley Bailey Brown Tabbitha Butts Logen...

SJO board approves back to school plan

July 27, 2021

July 27, 2021

St. Joseph-Ogden High School has created a plan for the 2021-22 school year. A plan that is subject to change....

St. Joseph Middle School 7th grade honor roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

FIRST NAME LAST NAME Ramsay Arnold Henry Beeler Adam Bello Teagan Blacker Bailey Blakley Nora Buckley Grant Clark Logan Crider...

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...

Live at SJO school board

December 20, 2022

December 20, 2022

I am just a tad late cause the husband was on radio. #wdwssportstalk They are doing a facilities update. Things...

Sorority gives grants to teachers

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

Psi Iota Xi is a National Sorority with local chapters in various midwestern states.  This philanthropic group helps people.  The...

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,...

SJO still waiting on property tax money

July 16, 2019

July 16, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden High School has only received roughly $22,000 of the money it is due from Champaign County property taxes....

Heritage First Quarter Honor Roll

November 8, 2023

November 8, 2023

High Honors: Freshmen: Ashley Barkley, Nathan Bensyl, Lillie Bishop, Erika Bonilla, Addison Hopper, Lillian Perkins, Breanna Ploense, Clark Roland, Jayden...

St. Joseph Middle School 7th grade high honor roll

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

LAST NAME FIRST NAME Bronowski Ava Carter Liam Clark Patrick Coffey Carly Dietiker Avarie Dirksmeyer Ainsley Divan Trey Eaton Connor...

SJO HIGH HONOR ROLL SECOND QUARTER

January 11, 2021

January 11, 2021

FreshmenAllen, LoganArmstrong, AdenBaltzell, OwenBeetz, SamanthaBurkhalter, ChloeDivan, RachelEricksen, SadieFrasca, JosephFrick, AddisonGetty, GraceHaake, LoganHarper, ChloeHarris, RachelHausman, BrodyHueber, AnnabelleJacob, TannerJolley, KyaJones, HeleneKibler, ToriLewis,...

Live at SJO school board

September 23, 2019

September 23, 2019

We are here at SJO school board. They are discussing the insurance group they belong to and their options. An...

SJO 2021-2022 1st Quarter High Honor Roll

October 29, 2021

October 29, 2021

Freshmen Barton, RylieBeckett, EJBenoit, AudreyBonny, SarahBrown, LandonClampitt, MadisonCoffey, HaydenDavenport, AerolynDewese, LaurenDietiker, EllaDitchfield, LukeEnnis, JacksonFranzen, SavannaFunk, AddisonGaines, KaidenGerdes, TaytonGetty, OliviaHamilton, MakennahHarms,...

‘Helping them reach their potential is humbling and rewarding at the same time’

January 26, 2023

January 26, 2023

A performance today will culminate one of the most powerful artistic and personal experiences Justin Lee has had in his...

‘I have absolutely loved portraying her’

April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022

Sophia McDade loves everything about the Addams Family production. The senior, who is acting in her second show with the...

Comments
Leave a Reply