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Theatre JM Directors and Producers
Eric Decker — Musical Director
Eric is now in his 5th season at JM after directing RAGS here last spring, while also teaching AP English and Speech. He has directed 41 shows in the area for theatres as varied as the Rochester Civic Theatre (Mainstage and STI), Masque Youth Theatre, Mantorville Theatre Company, K-M High School, Rushford Area Society for the Arts, Lanesboro Community Theater, and also a staged reading at The Commonweal and mentor-directing at the Rochester Repertory Theatre. Favorite productions include An Enemy of the People and Babes in Arms. He received his B.A. in Theatre and Secondary Education from Augustana College (IL), and is currently working on his M.A. in Directing from the Chicago College of Performing Arts.
Paul Cox — Producer
Paul's support for the theater dates back to building sets for The Sound of Music when he was in high school. As John Marshall Activities Director, Paul has been instrumental in over two dozen theatrical productions. He currently serves as the Section IAA Visual Arts Coordinator and developed the Visual Arts Comptetition.
Laurie Cassman — Director
Laurie Cassman has directed two productions at John Marshall. In addition to directing the plays, she teaches American Studies and ninth grade English. Before taking on directing responsibilities at JM, Laurie worked as a director at Jamestown Middle School and Ulen-Hitterdal High School. She attended Bismarck State College on a Presidential drama scholarship and received her degree in English from the University of Minnesota, Moorhead and a Masters in Education from Winona State University. Her favorite show of all time is Alan Ayckbourns Absurd Person Singular.
Jennifer Ryg — Director
Jennifer Ryg has now directed three one-act plays at John Marshall. This year's Scenes from Uncommon Women and Others by Wendy Wasserstein proved to be a very rewarding challenge for the students and is Jennifer's favorite directing experience so far. Before coming to John Marshall, Jennifer taught acting and directed youth in Madison, Wisconsin. She earned a degree in theatre arts from the University of WI, Stevens Point where she was recognized by her peers with an outstanding actress award for her role as Anna in Closer by Patrick Marber. She has recently worked as a writing tutor at John Marshall and Augsburg College and is currently working on her master of arts degree in education. When she is not directing, she stays busy raising her own little uncommon woman.