Peggy Ferguson Biography 

November 2007 Interview with Peggy Ferguson:

Q: What was your first memorable theater experience? 

A: I organized a high school class trip to rent a bus in my small rural Minnesota town and travel to the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis to see its grand opening production of HAMLET, directed by Sir Tyrone Guthrie.  The next year we traveled to see “The Miser” by Moliere starring Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronin.   This was GREAT theatre and I was forever hooked.

Q: When did you first realize your love for the theatrical art form? 

A: When I sat in the brand new Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis at its grand opening production of HAMLET, which was directed by Sir Tyrone Guthrie.  Later that same year, I attended a professional touring company’s THE SOUND OF MUSIC and was enthralled by the leading actress, Jeannie Carson.  She was a true triple threat – actor/singer/dancer and I fell crashingly in love with musical theatre.

Q: When how did the transition from performer to director take place? 

A: Following high school, I attended the University of Minnesota and majored in Speech and Theatre Arts.   I acted in various roles during college, but I also loved to learn about leadership behind the scenes.  I also did a lot of stage managing and directing.

Q: What motivates you in your efforts to vitalize theater in Fairbanks?

A: We have such a deep and lovely talent pool here.  Also, live theatre is the most exciting, immediate and intense form of the ancient art of story telling and all folks relate to a well-told tale.   I think it’s in our collective verbal & imaginative DNA as a species, don’t you?

Q: What is the funniest thing you’ve seen happen on stage? 

A: An actor’s pants accidentally came unfastened and he lost his drawers during a fast and furious dance number (“Get Me to the Church On Time” )  in my 1975 production (a FLOT production) of MY FAIR LADY.   It really wasn’t funny for the actor, but he stayed in character and while dancing, managed to pull his pants back up.  Also, during that same production – which we had toured to Pt. Barrow that year to perform for the community in the high school gymnasium – during one of the teaching scenes between Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle (Bob Howard and Theresa Reed), about 35 very small and beautiful Eskimo children crawled from the bleachers to seat themselves on the set on the various furniture pieces in Higgin’s study and all around the floor at the feet of the two actors.  (Bob and Theresa)   It was funny and charming and spontaneous and the actors did great maintaining with this sudden crowd of children who were simply mesmerized.  I do believe that this FLOT 1975 production of MY FAIR LADY was the first ever live musical theatre performance given in Point Barrow, Alaska.

Q: What is the most magical moment you’ve seen on stage? 

A: Oh – there are so many.  How do I even begin?  Here are some:   The final scene in SOUTH PACIFIC when Emile DeBeque (Jim Holm) returned to his waiting love, Nellie Forbush (Melinda Gordon) fresh from his WWII combat stint.  Nellie thinks Emile has been killed in combat, but he returns.  It was heartbreakingly beautiful (This was a FLOT show in 1976.)  Another:  in RIVERSONG, a world premiere produced by FLOT in 1983 and revived in 1993 & 1994, the village elder Isaac, (played by Hap Ryder) raised his hand and declared ‘Fish Coming.”    Also in same production, the young (21 year old Johan Brun) singing the powerful “Cold Stars” standing on a log which spanned the ‘river.’  Also - there were many magical moments between Steve Mitchell and Theresa Reed during last year’s THE SUNSET CLAUSE, written by Fairbanks playwright Anne Hanley.  I had the pleasure to direct this very dark, very intelligent comedy and Theresa and Steve had many magical moments.  They are both GREAT actors.

Q: What is your dream role?  

A: I personally loved playing Mrs. Peachum in THE THREEPENNY OPERA.  It was directed by Lee Salisbury.

Q: What is your dream show?    

A: Sunday in the Park With George, Jesus Christ Superstar, Kiss Me Kate  -  Oh my, I have so many dreams.  Too many to list here.

Q: What do you have to say to the next generation of actors and directors? 

A: First, go to school and get professional training.  This is your framework upon which you will build all of your future work.   You need to do this so you have a theatre vocabulary and a theatre skills tool bag to help you find your way.

Q: You are known for your tenacity, how did you get to be so fearless? 

A: By just jumping in and asking ‘how deep?” afterward.   Sometimes I am a fool for my love.

Q: How did your hometown growing up compare to Fairbanks? 

A: Only 942 people in my hometown.  No comparison.

Q: What figures have influenced you most in your life?

A: First of all, my Dad.  He was very bright, but unschooled.  He was a farmer and he loved the soil.  He was a people person and an optimist.  He had a perfect balance of sweetness and strength.  Then, my theatre teachers and mentors, especially Susan Watson and Lawrence Guittard.   Lee Salisbury was a wonderful and positive influence.

Q: Where do you turn for inspiration, in life or art? 

A: To the poetry of Walt Whitman and Maya Angelou,  the writings of Mark Twain, Willa Cather and William Shakespeare.  The writings of great theatre teachers Uta Hagen and Harold Clurman.   Also – the beauty of our planet is astounding.   I am inspired daily by the changing light and sky colors here in Alaska’s Great Interior.  I am inspired by the acts of kindness and compassion of fellow human beings, most of all.  I think the expression of compassion and of kindness is God working through humanity.