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Mary Gwen Owen and the Little Theater
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Mary Gwen Owen’s sympathy
My father died in February 1956. Mary Gwen Owen’s husband had died just shortly before that. My work contract was working for her in the Little Theatre. My conversations with her and her sympathy toward my mother were very comforting. She was a stimulating teacher who introduced me to many avenues of progressive thinking. I also have used many techniques I learned being in Drama Chorus in teaching and directing religious drama.
Ann Beran Jones
Feeling like I belonged
The biggest impression on me was Mary Gwen Owen & her Drama Chorus. I felt a part of a group and I belonged.
Dixie Lee Douglas Schamens
Being a good fairy caught without her wings
In one of the Children's productions, I was cast as the "Fourth Good Fairy". We wore wings that were attached around the shoulders with elastic. During one performance, I decided the elastic was too tight and very uncomfortable so I went back to the dressing room and removed the wings. Imagine my horror when I heard my "cue" line from on stage and I was backstage, unable to get to the stage on time! I know Doug Hatfield was not amused.
Lyn Arey Pewitt
That red smock and hat
Mary Gwen Owen was a remarkable person. Her ever-present red smock and hat were symbols of a flamboyant but caring personality. I was fortunate enough to have been in her classes, plays and Choral Readers. I’ll never forget her recommending me for a part as a giggling baby in a WTCN radio commercial.
Lois Johnson Burnes
Discovering Dr. Seuss
I remember having Mary Gwen Owen for a teacher (Choral Reading). She introduced us to Dr. Seuss
Elizabeth (Liz) Smith
That old Quonset hut
I spent a lot of time in the Little Theater for I was a Speech minor — almost a major — and most of my classes were there. I learned so much in that old wooden Quonset hut, especially from Doug Hatfield, who taught Play Production, and from Mary Gwen Owen, who taught me how to read aloud effectively (Choral Reading & Oral Interpretation). For a couple of years my friends and I tried out for most of the plays put on in that old barn and if we didn’t get a part, we’d just build scenery or run lights or make costumes; anything to participate and learn the art/craft of theater.
Carol Smythe McClellan
Mary Gwen Owen’s bulletin board
Mary Gwen used to post articles on her bulletin board complete with heavy underlining and marginal commentary. Politics mostly, so I didn’t pay much attention then. I was looking for her posting of opportunities to sign up to usher in the local auditoriums when road companies brought Broadway shows like “Pajama Game” to town, or jazz concerts with artists like Dave Brubeck and Ella Fitzgerald. What a wonderful and affordable way to whet the appetite for good live entertainment!
Carol Smythe McClellan
Touring with the Choral Readers
The Choral Readers often performed in various places locally in addition to regular concerts on campus. What fun it was to ride a bus with such entertaining fellow students as Bev Briggs ’55 and John Lewin ’55 (who went on to perform in repertory at the Guthrie in later years). John taught us all the verses to “It Was Sad When the Great Ship Went Down,” which we sang lustily en route to a gig at — for example — KSTP-TV. What a great group of people were in that class! I would have continued to take it forever, but after two years, one could only audit it non-credit, which I could not afford to do.
Carol Smythe McClellan
My one line in Sleeping Beauty
Having the audience laugh at my one line in Sleeping Beauty, when they weren’t supposed to, for two shows, until Ruthie Beiswenger straightened out how I said it.
Barbara James Schue
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