Interviewer: HC 407 Students and Instructors: Maya Bergmann, Anastasia Fitkin, Anna Roth, McGwire Smith, Chris Petersen and Tiah Edmunson-Morton
Interview Date: March 5, 2019
Location: Learning Innovation Center, Oregon State University
Duration: 1:47:31
Headrick begins her interview by talking about her early memories, including her family life and ancestry. She proudly notes that hers was a "first family" of Tennessee, and notes other historical facts about her ancestors. As part of this, she tells her interviewers the story of the sinking of the Sultana steamboat and the role it plays in her family history.
Next, Headrick talks about how she became interested in studying theater while attending the University of Tennessee. She also recounts her summer exchange experience in Denmark; the first time that she came to the Northwest in the 1970s; and her experience of dining with musician Frank Zappa.
From there she begins a discussion of her teaching career, going over the academic jobs she had before she came to Oregon State. She then transitions to her journey into Oregon State, discussing important colleagues and connections she made during her career, and talking about the many challenges she experienced as the first woman director in the theater program at OSU.
In reflecting on her OSU years, she speaks of her interest in Irish theater, and touches on essays she's written about famous playwrights and research she's done on Southern women playwrights. She also talks about a book that she co-edited with colleague Eileen Kearney.
The interview then moves to the subject of the Mitchell Playhouse at OSU, its closure, and the relocation of the theater program to Withycombe Hall. She shares her dissatisfaction with this change and details the history of the Withycombe facility.
As the session nears its conclusion, Headrick talks about her sabbatical experiences, and the connections they brought her. She also reflects on the advancements that she made during her time as a faculty member, and speaks proudly about becoming the first woman faculty member to be tenured in the theater program. The interview ends with Headrick expressing her uncertainty and concern about the future of the theater program at Oregon State.
Dublin Core
Title
Description
Next, Headrick talks about how she became interested in studying theater while attending the University of Tennessee. She also recounts her summer exchange experience in Denmark; the first time that she came to the Northwest in the 1970s; and her experience of dining with musician Frank Zappa.
From there she begins a discussion of her teaching career, going over the academic jobs she had before she came to Oregon State. She then transitions to her journey into Oregon State, discussing important colleagues and connections she made during her career, and talking about the many challenges she experienced as the first woman director in the theater program at OSU.
In reflecting on her OSU years, she speaks of her interest in Irish theater, and touches on essays she's written about famous playwrights and research she's done on Southern women playwrights. She also talks about a book that she co-edited with colleague Eileen Kearney.
The interview then moves to the subject of the Mitchell Playhouse at OSU, its closure, and the relocation of the theater program to Withycombe Hall. She shares her dissatisfaction with this change and details the history of the Withycombe facility.
As the session nears its conclusion, Headrick talks about her sabbatical experiences, and the connections they brought her. She also reflects on the advancements that she made during her time as a faculty member, and speaks proudly about becoming the first woman faculty member to be tenured in the theater program. The interview ends with Headrick expressing her uncertainty and concern about the future of the theater program at Oregon State.