Jaclyn Backhaus’ Men On Boats delves into the dynamics
of ten explorers on the first expedition (of white men) down
the Colorado River to a “big” canyon. Raised in Arizona,
Backhaus had heard about the journey during her child-
hood and wanted to adapt it for the stage. In the process
she realized that she was interested in the story in part
because she felt that she would never play the part of a
nineteenth-century explorer—and that writing it was her way
of vicariously living their adventure.
-From an essay by Summer Banks

Mississippi State’s Theatre MSU—the Department of Communication’s production division that recently garnered a 2021 School of Excellence Award in Higher Education from the Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education—debuts its new season this month.

Mississippi State’s Theatre MSU—the Department of Communication’s production division—has received a portion of more than $1.4 million in funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission to support the creation and performance of an original theatrical production.

Theatre MSU faculty member, Tonya Hays, along with theatre student, Jade Keaton, recently discussed the upcoming 2021-22 Theatre MSU season on the College of Arts & Sciences Vision Podcast with John Burrow. Use the link to listen to the podcast!