Today’s guest is the Jana Schmieding, the breakout star and a writer on NBC Peacocks’ sitcom, Rutherford Falls. Jana is a member of the Lakota tribe and is a comedian, actress, podcaster, and writer. She graduated from the university with a degree in theatre arts in 2005. In this episode, Jana speaks will fellow alumna Tahira Hayes, BA '05 (journalism), who is the host of the Tall Hungry Girl Talks podcast.
Rutherford Falls centers around two best friends, Nathan Rutherford (Ed Helms) and Reagan Wells (played by Jana), who find themselves at a crossroads – quite literally – when their sleepy town gets an unexpected wakeup call. Jana and Tahira discuss the success of the sitcom, and how it is breaking barriers as the first tv show picked up by a major network that was co-created and written by Indigenous people and features Indigenous lead characters. During the interview, Jana also reflects on some of her favorite memories from attending the University of Oregon, her experience navigating Hollywood as a Native woman, and the importance of opening doors for women of color in the entertainment industry.
Since the interview taping, Rutherford Falls was renewed for a second season.
Rutherford Falls www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/rutherford-falls
Woman of Size Podcast www.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/woman-of-size/id1319140670
Tall Hungry Girl Talks Podcast www.tallhungrygirl.com/
Follow Jana on social media Instagram: janaunplgd Twitter: janaunplgd
About the Podcast The Duck Stops Here is brought to you by the Regional Engagement Team within University Development. This episode was done in partnership with the UO Alumni Association (www.uoalumni.com).
Michelle Joyce-Fyffe, the Director of Regional Engagement, is the show's host and executive producer.
Keep in touch! Follow the team @uo_the_duck_stops_here on IG to stay up on the latest podcast and alumni news and events.
Shoot us an email at engagement@uoregon.edu
Music credits: "Luminous Rain" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Cmmons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, "Funkorama" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
