Backstage at the Egyptian: An interview with NIU’s Gillian King-Cargile

Interview conducted by Brandon Pugh- Egyptian Theatre Intern.

Gillian King-Cargile is a faculty member in the Office of the Vice-President at Northern Illinois University. She is currently the Outreach and Engagement Communications Coordinator. The theatre will be hosting Horror Night: The Science of the Scare and will be presented by the NIU STEM Read program on Thursday, November 19th, 2015 at 7:00pm. 

Brandon:  How did the idea of this event come to life?

Gillian:  I run NIU’s STEM Read program, which explores the science behind fiction books. This November, our selection is Quarantine: The Loners by Lex Thomas (the pen name for authors Lex Hrabe and Thomas Voorhies). They will be in town for our field trip for high school students—we’re “quarantining 200 high school students in an empty school for a day-long game based on the science concepts from the book. Because Lex and Tom are horror writers and film buffs, I thought it would be great to have them pick and present a public screening of one of the horror movies that influences their writing. They chose John Carpenter’s cult classic In the Mouth of Madness.

Brandon: Who are you trying to reach with this event? What is your target audience?

Gillian: This event is for horror fans from teens to adults. In addition to screening the movie and having the authors present, we’re going to have interactive booths that explore the science behind scaring people.

Brandon: What is one thing you are looking forward to in hosting the event at the theatre?

Gillian: I’m looking forward to introducing new fans to In the Mouth of Madness. It’s so twisted and awesome. I can see why it appeals to Lex and Tom as horror writers. The movie is all about a book that is so terrifying that its ideas ooze off the pages and drives people insane.

Brandon: How long have you been with NIU? What is your position in the University?

Gillian: I have been with the university for five years. I’m the director of the STEM Read program for University Outreach.

Brandon:  If you could possess one talent that you don’t already have, what would it be and why?

Gillian:  I would want Hermione Granger’s time turner so that I could get more done.

Brandon:  If there was one person you could bring back to life, who would it be and why?

Gillian: Kurt Vonnegut. I want to read more books from him and bring him to NIU.

Brandon: Have you attended any events at the Egyptian in the past?

Gillian: Yes! I’m always up for seeing Brian Regan and I’ve seen some great movies at the Egyptian over the years.

Interested in attending Horror Night: The Science of the Scare? Visit our website for more information and to purchase your tickets! Tickets for this event are $15 for regular admittance, and $10 for students and seniors 65+.