January 13, 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

Hallett is new SRO in place at St. Joseph, PVO schools

September 10, 2019

September 10, 2019

Champaign County Sheriff’s Deputy Shawn Hallett has always held the police in high regard. “As a child, I remember having...

St. Joseph Middle School 8th Grade Honor Roll

November 2, 2021

November 2, 2021

Barrowman, Kylie Barrowman, Lexie Blackburn-Kelley, Timera Blackburn-Kelley, Timothy Carlson, Jacob Chaudhary, Rudra Clark, Joshua Ericksen, Katherine Getty, Camden Haley, William...

SJO HONOR ROLL

November 5, 2020

November 5, 2020

FreshmenAllen, ChloeAllinger, KadenBott, MyaBrown, KylerCarter, PaytonChahine, MayaHarbourt, JamesHayes, JayciJones, HoldenLannert, LaurenLeVeck, JakeMaroon, CarsonMcBride, SethMcMahon, ShannonStevens, MadisonSweet, ZoeyWaller, BraxtonWilson, Spencer SophomoresActon,...

Voters approve referendum

June 30, 2022

June 30, 2022

Superintendent Todd Pence is thankful. Thankful that a referendum asking voters to approve their tax rate by .22 percent passed....

St. Joseph Middle School 6th grade high honor roll

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

LAST NAME FIRST NAME Barbee Charlene Bewley Reid Blunier Brady Buckley Nora Buhs Ella Chahine Sophia Christians Charlotte Clark Grant...

‘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...

SJO first quarter high honor roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

Freshmen Ahart, LillianBarbee, ZhouBenoit, ZacharyBowlin, AlecBurnett, ColinClark, ElizabethCrider, AbigailDahl, HaydenDavis, IrisDitchfield, NickDowns, JustinFarber, MadisonFarney, NathanielFranzen, NolanGraham, SkylerHammond, AnnaHarbourt, MarkHarris, NicholasHess,...

PVO Junior High 7th grade honor roll

November 8, 2023

November 8, 2023

7th Grade Highest HonorsSydney AbernathyJebb AdenKolbie BusboomElla GerdesElla MohrAlea RashEaston RayCaylah RobertsRyan Schmitz 7th Grade High HonorsAllie BottAvary BuhrMax BuhrChase...

Prairieview-Ogden first quarter 7th and 8th grade honor roll

October 21, 2024

October 21, 2024

Highest Honors (GPA greater than or equal to 3.7) Sydney Abernathy Reagan Blakey Allie Bott Chloe Bressner Ava Buhr Kolbie...

Live at SJO School Board

June 27, 2022

June 27, 2022

I am the only one in the audience. The House on Main Street is coming down this week or next....

SJO hopeful to keep in-person learning through end of semester

December 9, 2020

December 9, 2020

Six staff members at St. Joseph-Ogden High School are currently in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 or being a...

St. Joseph Middle School 7th grade honor roll

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

LAST NAME FIRST NAME Aase Kira Alexander Ava Atwood Miles Barton Lucas Beckett Coleton Cavanaugh Blake Cler Hunter Combs Alivia...

St. Joseph middle school 8th grade high honor roll

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

LAST NAME FIRST NAME Ahart Lillian Benoit Zachary Burnett Colin Clark Elizabeth Crider Abigail Dahl Hayden Davis Iris Downs Justin...

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...

Harper finds positive outlet in music

December 10, 2019

December 10, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden sophomore Lauren Harper loves to sing. That is why she loves the choir. “It’s basically the time where...

Comments
Leave a Reply