Tess Evan-Shell almost has Milligan in her DNA. She knew she would attend here for college but never imagined she’d get to work here. She has a passion for Milligan and theatre which was evident as I talked with her.
Q: How did you get to Milligan?
I have always been connected to Milligan. My grandparents attended Milligan, my parents and all my dad’s siblings attended Milligan, and my brother and I attended Milligan. When I was a child, we lived over at Emmanuel for several years. During that time, I had the opportunity to assist backstage with one of Milligan’s Theatre Productions, and from then on, I knew I was hooked. Attending Milligan as an undergrad was inevitable, but returning to Milligan as a staff member has been an honor.
Q: What are you most excited about in your new position as the Technical Theatre Director and Artistic Designer?
A: I am most excited about meeting and working with my work study, theatre scholarship, and theatre major/minor students. I adore the craft of technical theatre and to be able to share that passion with them inspires me. On a selfish level, I am thrilled to have a shop space of my own! To be able to have a safe and beautiful space uniquely planned for theatrical design and fabrication is a real treat. I’ve worked in a number of theatres; none of which have a production and shop spaces that are as well maintained as the Milligan Scene Shop.
Q: What’s stood out to you the most since getting on campus?
A: How patient and gracious everyone is. Although I am very familiar with Milligan, I was a bit intimidated about becoming a staff member at such an incredible institution. However, I have felt nothing but love from the Milligan community. From President Greer and Dean Young, to the faculty and staff, to the housekeepers, all the way down to the freshmen that are joining me in the shop for the first time, everyone has been joyful, helpful, and authentic.
Q: What impact do you want to have on your students?
A: I want to empower them. I, like many of my students, walked though these shop doors not knowing how to use a power drill, how to sew, or how to rig equipment. I also thought that I couldn’t do the job because I am a woman. I thought surely they would only hire guys because of all the “heavy lifting.” Nevertheless, I left this space with more technical knowledge and emotional support that I ever could have imagined. I want to do that for my students. I want all of them to know they can build sets and communities, stitch garments and stories, lift up walls and people, and they can conquer anything they set their minds to. Including heavy lifting.
Q: What would you want someone to ask you if they were trying to get to know you?
A: If you really want to know me and why I’m passionate about theatre, pop by the shop and ask me why I do what I do. We sink nearly 4,380 man hours into every production, yet we only perform for 8 hours. We spend 8 weeks building, and it is demolished in less than a day. If you really want to know me, come ask why I dedicate myself to such a masochistic art from.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: It’s super nerdy, but I love playing Dungeons and Dragons. It’s good friends, good story, good food, and my dog falls asleep under the game table. I couldn’t ask for anything more.