Sep 08, 2025 Teamwork, Talent and Celebrating the U’s 175th Anniversary
The U’s 175th anniversary has been celebrated in grand style over the past year. There have been multiple festivities for students, staff, alumni and the community, as well as a feature in the winter 2025 issue of Utah Magazine. Now, as things wrap-up, let’s take a closer look, though this video, made possible by the teamwork and collaboration of University Marketing and Communications (UMC), Pioneer Theatre Company and the Marriott Library.
According to Jeff Bagley, chief creative officer in UMC, “This video is one of the most complex productions we’ve done. Because it was a period piece, it had a lot of moving pieces and demanded close attention to detail, but I think the effort really paid off. Clearly, “divide and conquer” is the label that fits this one.”
Bagley is referring to the three-pronged approach involving UMC, the Marriott Library and Pioneer Theatre Company, who provided all of the costumes. Because the video spans from the early 20th century to modern day, the attire needed to cover several decades.
“The other challenge was finding all the individuals to play characters,” explains Jeff Hanson, executive producer and writer. “We needed to depict a lively library setting and that meant finding lots of actors to play the student roles.”
“Anyone who has poured time and attention into something they love knows the satisfaction of seeing it come together. While I had the chance to pull costumes for this film, it was the enthusiasm and expertise of Jeff Hansen, Jeff Bagley, and Jessica Taylor in U Marketing that made the project a success. In just 30 minutes—without prior fittings—Jeff and Jessica sorted through decades’ worth of options, grouping looks and assigning ensembles with remarkable speed and precision. In theatre, those decisions often take days, but their quick thinking ensured every actor had the right fit, proving their skill would shine in any setting. For me, as a costume rental coordinator, this was a delightful project. The professionalism and collaborative spirit of the team gave me clarity, preparation time and creative freedom—making the process not only smooth but joyful. It’s a reminder of why theatre is so special: when everyone brings their talents and gratitude to the table, remarkable things happen. I’m grateful Pioneer Theatre could play a part in that success.”
Fortunately the library – which employs more than 100 students – was able to recruit several of their student employees along with a handful of staff.
“I had such fun playing Esther Nelson, the first librarian to serve at the U in 1906,” comments Sarah Shreeves, Alice Sheets Marriott Dean of Libraries. The teamwork involved in creating this video was truly amazing; it makes me feel grateful to be a part of an organization where we come together to help one another, to make things happen.”
Congratulations to the University of Utah on 175 years of excellence in education, research and service to the community.
“Pioneer Theatre Company is proud to house an extraordinary archive of costumes and props, a living collection that has clothed generations of stories on our stage and beyond. These treasures are more than fabric and objects—they represent decades of Utah’s theatre history, carefully preserved and continually brought to life,” notes Karen Azenberg, PTC artistic director. “None of this would be possible without the skilled artisans and dedicated staff who serve as guardians of this legacy, ensuring its vitality for artists and audiences alike. We extend special thanks to Do Ault, our Costume Rental Coordinator, for her generosity and expertise in assisting the Marriott Library with this celebratory short film.”
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