Love of theater shows on professor's stage


Tuesday, Feb. 24, 1998	Love of theater shows on professor's stage Editor's Note: This is the fifth story in a weekly series profiling University professors and instructors. This story focuses on Annie McGregor, assistant professor of theatre arts. By MEREDITH O'DONNELL Collegian Staff Writer In front of a crowded Art of Theatre class in Forum, Annie McGregor's love of the theater is evident in her every movement. "She has a personal connection to everyone in the class, even though it's so big," said Chad Packer (junior-elementary education). McGregor's class, Theatre 100, combines her lectures and the performance of scenes by the class acting troupe, which attempts to expose students to a variety of theatrical forms, including realism, tragedy and other contemporary forms. Yet, teaching theater this way is innovative, she added.
Annie McGregor, assistant professor of theatre arts, instructs Theatre 100 in the Forum. Topics covered include both theatre theory and actual practice. (Collegian Photo/Mike Morones - click for full size image)	"Nobody else in the country does this," McGregor said. "It's the only way to (teach theater) as far as I'm concerned." The large class size is also an added benefit to the teaching form, McGregor said. "The company makes these large classes work better," she said. "The company's performances wouldn't be as good with only 20 people." A large audience makes the performances more of a theatrical event, she added.
	When McGregor came to the University Fall Semester 1996 to replace Helen Manfull, professor emeritus of theatre arts, who had taught Theatre 100 for many years, she said it was her lucky break. "It was like they had written the position for me. It was everything I wanted to do and continue doing," McGregor said. "I love it here -- it's a wonderful place for me to work." And when it comes to working at the University, it's the spontaneous atmosphere that McGregor enjoys the most. "I love that it's different every day and that you never know what's going to happen next," McGregor said. McGregor's interest in theater began at the University of Oregon, where she participated in a number of theater-related activities such as acting, costume-making, scenery design and directing, McGregor said. "Slowly over the years I found I was good at it," she said, "and able to pursue my dream."