Spotlight on Excellence: MSU theater faculty earn prestigious awards
Contact: Sarah Nicholas
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Leaders in Mississippi State University’s theater program, part of the Department of Communication, are adding to their faculty awards this academic year, showcasing the program’s outstanding achievements in theater arts and dedication to creative excellence.
Assistant Clinical Professor Jesse Wade recently received a Meritorious Achievement in Scenic Design award from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for his contributions and work on the play, “A Piece of My Heart.” KCACTF is a national theater program involving 20,000 students from over 700 colleges and universities, dedicated to the improvement of collegiate theater in the U.S. The award recognizes outstanding contributions in areas such as acting, design and stage management.
Assistant Professor Tonya S. Hays was honored with the Tom Behm Award from the Southeastern Theatre Conference this past fall. This award provides professional development funds to individuals working or studying in the realm of Theatre for Youth, enabling them to attend conferences or pursue educational credits. Recipients receive a $1,000 honorarium, a one-year SETC membership, and registration to the SETC Teachers Institute and annual Convention.
“Jesse Wade and Tonya Hays continue to achieve at a high level, bringing great notoriety to MSU,” said Terry Likes, professor and head of the Department of Communication. “Their commitment to providing opportunities for students on stage and behind-the-scenes is commendable and evident in internship and job placement, along with those applying to graduate schools. In the last six years, theater students have earned more than 150 honors, with dozens of KCACTF nominations.”
For more information about the Department of Communication, part of the College of Arts and Sciences, visit www.comm.msstate.edu.
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