INTERVIEWS
So far our team has interviewed seventeen subjects, with plans to collect more interviews with Jim’s family and former colleagues. You can view our interviewed subjects below, as well as a short description of their relationship to Jim.
Alyce Scott
Alyce Scott is a former student of Jim Jewell’s. While at IVCC, she participated in Readers Theater, which was led by Jim. She was directed by him in the Stage 212 production Vanities in 1979.
Brian Risley
Brian is Jim’s second cousin. In his interview he noted that anytime something special in his life happened, whether it be a holiday, graduation, or big game, his cousin Jim was always there.
David Liesse
David Liesse first met Jim Jewell at his apartment building that they were both living at in the 1970’s. He went on to work with Jim at Stage 212, and was chosen by Jim to be the executor of his estate.
Deb Lenhausen Krueger
Deb Lenhausen Krueger met Jim Jewell at Stage 212, and the two went on to form a continuing artistic relationship. There most notable partnership was when Deb directed Jim in Whose Life is It Anyway (1985).
Don Zellmer
Don Zellmer is a former student of Jim Jewell’s. They later were neighbors and shared a condo wall. Both of them served on the Stage 212 management board. Don directed Jim in the production Cactus Flower (1981)
Kim Howard Johnson
Kim Howard Johnson is a former student of Jim Jewell’s. While at IVCC, she participated in Readers Theater, which was led by Jim. They shared the stage in Stage 212’s production of The Odd Couple (1981).
Jessica Kreiser
Jessica Kreiser knew Jim Jewell from Stage 212, although never having worked on a production together. After Jim’s passing, his piano went to her daughter Sarah, before it was donated to Stage 212
Joseph Ennenbach
Joseph Ennenbach has been involved at Stage 212 since the very beginning. In 1972, when Jim first came to the organization, the two were introduced and would participate at Stage 212 alongside one another until Jim’s passing.
Joel Stevenor
Joel Stevenor is a more recent 212 participant, coming to the area after a lengthy career in New York. He lived in the city during the epidemic and marched with Broadway Cares.
Lori Christopherson
Lori Christopherson is a long time participant at Stage 212, and served on the committee that would find a new home for the organization in 1997. The performance space would later be dedicated and named the “Jim Jewell Auditorium.”
Natalie Smigel
Natalie Smigel is the former Business Manager for Stage 212, and served on the Stage 212 board with Jim Jewell. Natalie was directed by Jim in Steel Magnolias (1990).
Dr. Rose Lynch
Dr. Rose Lynch worked alongside Jim in the Humanities Department at IVCC. The members of their department had a tight-knit friend group, and frequently went out after work and on the weekends.
Dr. Ross Slotten
Ross A. Slotten is a Chicago, Illinois, physician who specializes in the treatment and study of HIV. Within Slotten's family medicine practice, he has taken responsibility for more than one thousand patients with HIV.
Sara Risley
Sara is Jim’s second cousin, and has many fond memories of cousin Jimmy. Her favorite is listening to him play The Entertainer on their piano as she sat on the bench with him.
Scot Smigel
Scot Smigel is a Stage 212 alum who served on the Stage 212 board with Jim Jewell. They shared the stage in a handful of productions, including Deathtrap and Star Spangled Girl.
Suzanne Risley
Suzanne is Jim’s cousin and grew up next to him. They spent most of their childhood together, until Jim went to Fort Wayne for high school. She still resides in Indiana.
Thomas Bailey
Thomas Bailey is a local performer who has been involved at Stage 212 since 2007. Thomas will be taking on the titular role of Milo Lookingale in our one night only performance of Jim Jewell’s original play at Stage 212.