In MPT’s production of Parade, Meghan Stecker plays Iola Stover — a young factory worker who is friends with the murdered Mary Phagan, and whose testimony is paramount to the story’s outcome. Read on to find out more about Meghan and how she feels about playing such a weighty character.

Are you originally from Madison?

I am originally from Appleton, Wisconsin but have lived in Madison since beginning school in 2016. I’m a student at UW—Madison, where I am earning a Bachelor of Music in Vocal and General Music Education.

Have you done a show with Middleton Players before?

I joined Middleton Players Theatre in 2018 as an ensemble member in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street — because it is my favorite musical and because the timeframe of the show worked with my schedule. I had such a fun time getting to know the wonderful and kind people in the company that I knew I had to audition for all three shows this season!

What do you do when you’re not performing?

In addition to my school work, I have worked as an intern for the past year with the Madison Youth Choirs.

How do you feel about your character Iola Stover?

I find this character particularly interesting in its comparison to the current political climate; people in power pressure Iola to testify against Leo Frank and through the course of the trial, her narrative is taken away from her to be used as political ammunition. The character deals with an impossibly complicated situation and the consequences of her actions severely affect the life of another human being. The difficult subject matter makes this role expressly challenging, and I am excited to have a role in telling this important story. I hope you enjoy the show!

Come see Meghan on stage in Parade next weekend only! Tickets are on sale now at www.middletonplayers.com/tickets.