Maybe it's because he was born and raised in Las Vegas, but senior acting student Jonathan Sangster says he has always had theatrical greasepaint in his blood.

"My great-grandmother was a famous tap dancer in the '20s in this country," Sangster said. "We would take walks in the backyard and she would show me little tap-dance steps."

Today, he has learned a step or two and is making his official debut as a director in the NAU Theatre production of "Catholic School Girls," which runs through Sunday at the Studio Theatre on campus (see box).

His turn as director is part of his work in his senior capstone course. A theater performance major, Sangster said he would ultimately like to be a director.

"I just love directing," he said. "The directing classes at NAU have been some of the best classes I've taken. I enjoy being so creative with a production. Where else would I get the opportunity to direct a main-stage show as an undergraduate?"

Sangster said he likes to confer with members of a show.