Someone you should know: Jay Geller
Instructor of Theatre and Speech
Elizabeth Weber
Issue date: 11/10/05 Section: News
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The TARTAN
Jay Geller - the Chair for Theater, Speech, and Journalism - is our featured instructor this month. Gellerbegan his career at MCC in the year 2000. He came from a long history of teaching which included Oakton College, North Eastern, Wright, and Truman. Receiving his degrees from Northern and Illinois State, he began at McHenry County College as a full time instructor in theater and speech, and is now in his sixth year. The theater has greatly benefited and improved with Geller's experience and effort. This month marks the eleventh production in the Black Box Theater, all of which have been successful and on average have involved up to 60 students in all phases of the production. Geller says, "This is a community thing. A lot of the people, who come to see Black Box productions, are not students, but rather residents who count on us to give them a good product. They keep coming back to support us, which leads us to believe we are giving them that good product." This month's production is "Everything in the Garden," a 1960's Edward Albee play, set in an upscale community where the principal characters struggle to survive. The Black Box Theater is located in building D, (D167).
Geller is newly married. He and his wife Mary, who is herself a social worker, have four children ranging in age from seven to ten years. His activities include running, sports, and whatever he can do with his children. His focus outside of MCC is centered on family. He says, "Life is short enough and doesn't want valued times in it to slip by."
When asked, "What would you do to improve things around you at MCC?" He replied, "Communication is a big issue. I think departments ought to know what's going on with other departments. There are many things which departments can do to help one another, if the communication is right."
The current production opens October 27, and runs October 28, 29, then continues November 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m.
For tickets and detailed information contact Geller at (815) 455-8746.