January 14, 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

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...

Grade school collecting items for food pantry

January 28, 2020

January 28, 2020

The students at St. Joseph Grade School are doing more than celebrating their 100th day of school—they are helping their...

Longview Bank helps area schools

July 15, 2020

July 15, 2020

Longview Bank is helping local schools. The bank donated $2,500 to eight school districts. Shiloh, Villa Grove, Unity, Heritage, St....

St. Joseph Middle School 8th grade high honor roll

April 7, 2022

April 7, 2022

ST. JOSEPH MIDDLE SCHOOL —  3rd Quarter, 2021-2022 8th Grade High Honor Roll Ames, Trevor Barrowman, Lexie Beyers, Kaitlyn Bird,...

St. Joseph Middle School 7th grade high honor roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

FIRST NAME LAST NAME Charlene Barbee Callie Barnett Reid Bewley Brady Blunier Tabbitha Brown Ella Buhs Sophia Chahine Charlotte Christians...

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....

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...

St. Joseph Middle School 5th grade honor roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

FIRST NAME LAST NAME Sophia Albrecht Madison Beeler Abigail Bewley Kynleigh Blunier Connor Bowman Naomi Cavanaugh Konlee Christians Henry Cluver...

‘I am proud of all of us’ by Kristen Costa

June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

To the St. Joseph-Ogden High School Class of 2020, when I began writing this speech, I didn’t even know where...

Emmert expresses himself via artwork

May 1, 2019

May 1, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden senior Nathan Emmert loves creating art work. “I have always enjoyed making different kinds of art,” he said....

An end of an era at St. Joseph Middle School

August 11, 2021

August 11, 2021

For the first time since 1994, Chris Graham won’t be greeting St. Joseph students on the first day of school...

We the People holding one final fundraiser

April 2, 2019

April 2, 2019

There is one final chance to help the St. Joseph-Ogden We the People Civics Team fund their trip to Nationals...

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....

SJO announces academic letter winners

May 17, 2021

May 17, 2021

Academic Letter Winners for the 2019-2020 Academic Year Class of 2020 (Graduates)Lindsey Aden Jenna Albrecht Michara AllenMallory Ames Kendall Ayers...

SJO 2022-2023 2nd Quarter High Honor Roll

January 13, 2023

January 13, 2023

FRESHMANAden, CarolineAmes, TrevorBarrowman, KylieBarrowman, LexieBeyers, KaitlynBird, EmilyBlackburn-Kelley, TimBonny, AidenBrooks, AddisonBytnar, SaraCampbell, ShelbyCarlson, JacobChaudhary, RudraChilders, AdelynCoffey, ChristopherEvans, CallieGetty, AbigailGetty, CamdenHardimon, EricaHarper,...

Comments
Leave a Reply