Joanna Maclay (1938-2024)
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Teacher, mentor, actor and southern dialect scholar Joanna Maclay, passed away on November 26 at the age of 86. With a focus on interpretation and adaptation of literary works for the stage, Joanna was a professor of speech communication and theater at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana for 36 years. During her tenure, she won the Dean’s Award and the Luckmann Award for excellence in teaching, among other accolades. She directed and acted in many productions at U. of I., including THIRD AND OAK: THE LAUDROMAT, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, PASSING BY THE DRAGON (her one-woman show about Flannery O’Connor), HER KIND (her one-woman show about Anne Sexton) and her adaptation of Eudora Welty’s WHY I LIVE AT THE P.O., which Ms. Welty saw her perform.
Upon her retirement from U. of I., Joanna and her husband, Howard, moved to Chicago, and she began performing in productions in and around the area. Highlights included WE ALL WENT DOWN TO AMSTERDAM (Steppenwolf), ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL (Chicago Shakespeare), SUPERIOR DONUTS (Mary-Arrchie), HENRY V (Milwaukee Shakespeare), SOME AMERICANS ABROAD (Remy Bumppo) and KEELY AND DU (Raven). In addition, Joanna was the southern dialect coach for several productions, including AS I LAY DYING (Steppenwolf), which was directed by her dear friend and Northwestern classmate, Frank Galati. She also acted in several independent and student films. Born and raised in Homewood, Alabama, just outside of Birmingham, Joanna received her AB and MA from the University of Alabama, and her PhD from Northwestern University. She taught at both universities while earning her degrees as well as a one-year stint at Northern Illinois University, before starting her work at U. of I. To earn scholarships while a student, she competed in the Miss Alabama contest for several years with her friend, Fannie Flagg. Joanna won Miss Congeniality, and Fannie memorialized their experience in her novel “Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man.” An inspired and inspiring teacher, Joanna continued to mentor students decades after her retirement, and her influence was felt by many in the Chicago theater community. She was known for her generosity, wit, sass, smarts, indefatigable spirit and deep love for her family, friends and students. She adored sports (especially her dear White Sox) and a well-made cocktail. No one could tell a Southern story better. Joanna was preceded in death by her husband Howard, and is survived by her daughter Barbara Cameron (Steve), son John Maclay (Jennifer), and grandchildren Cate and Anna Cameron, and Jackson and Grace Maclay, as well as stepdaughter Laura Maclay. Joanna’s son John said: “So have a scotch, tell somebody a great story, give somebody a hug and mean it. And keep taking stands and fighting the good fight with love and grit and humor because that’s what Joanna Hawkins Maclay would do. The world is less interesting today without you, Nana; but you spent your life lifting up legions of people who will carry on." |