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100 Years of Theatre at Taylor
The Importance of Being Earnest. The Taming of the Shrew. The Crucible. Peter Pan.
The Taylor theatre program turned 100 this year. During the past century, hundreds of productions have both entertained and challenged theatre goers while playing a significant role in shaping the lives of the thousands of Taylor students who acted in and worked to support them.
During his student days Joe Maniglia '88 was drawn to theatre participation by longtime directors Oliver Hubbard and Jessica Rousselow-Winquist. "Their love of theatre and the way they cared for the students there was so evident," he said.
By the time he graduated, Maniglia had acted in eight productions and worked technical support for three more. "Taylor at the time did not have a premiere theatre facility," he reflected, "but what we lacked in lights and stage space was certainly made up for in heart and spirit...My faith was challenged and stretched through the theatre."
Donald McLaughlin '75, regional director for advancement, played Petruchio in his favorite Taylor performance, The Taming of the Shrew, in 1973. Although McLaughlin never pursued theatre professionally, he says he treasured his friendships with fellow cast members.
"TU theatre also increased my self-confidence, which has helped me greatly through the years since Taylor," he stated. "I gained a lifelong love of the arts as well, which has greatly enriched my life."
"(Theatre) asked something of me and demanded things from me that challenged me. I still function well in that kind of arena where there are things put before me that are bigger than me," said Tracy (Tobey '92) Manning, Taylor's theatre director.
"We're still pursuing all of those same things. Students are struggling with those same things, walking on those same roads and we're still sending out people who can make a difference for the cause of Christ in whatever discipline they're pursuing."
Two devastating fires in Helena Memorial Hall, which used the theatre facility during most of the program's first 80 years, threatened its existence, said Rousselow-Winquist. "Those were the toughest times," she said. "It is a memory that shaped the program."
Rousselow-Winquist, who directed more than 30 plays prior to her retirement from that role n 2005, now serves as professor and communications department chair. She said the criteria for play selection included a fit with Taylor's liberal arts tradition and a script that spoke authentically to the human condition.
"The last one I directed like that was Copenhagen - I like to have the audience walking out of the theatre talking about - and arguing about - the concepts of the play," she said. "The theatre program has had a significant impact on a lot of people over time and I believe that will continue."
