Theatre MSU debuts spring semester with ‘Medea’ and ‘She Kills Monsters’

Mississippi State University’s Theatre MSU opens its spring season with productions of “Medea” and “She Kills Monsters,” showcasing the two most popular genres of theater—tragedy and comedy. “Medea,” running Feb. 26 through March 1, 7:30 p.m., and March 2, 2 p.m., is directed by senior Kylie Alyse Dowd of Clinton in her directorial debut. Dowd, a fine arts major, brings a fresh perspective to a bold reimagining of the Greek tragedy.

Theatre faculty earn prestigious awards

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.

CO Connection: Greg Thorn

Mississippi State University Department of Communication Head, Dr. Terry Likes, interviews CO assistant teaching professor, Greg Thorn, who shares information about the season for TheatreMSU which features a wide array of performances such as Charlotte’s Web, Medea – a classic Greek Tragedy, A Piece of My Heart, and She Kills Monster with a theme from Dungeons and Dragons. Thorn discusses his role as lighting designer, accolades he has earned for performances such as Legally Blonde and how plans to pass along this knowledge to students via experiential learning opportunities.

Charlotte's Web

Charlotte's Web, based on E.B. White’s novel, enchanted young audiences through the touching friendship between Charlotte, the spider, and Wilbur, the pig.

Jacob Uithoven

Mississippi State University student Jacob Uithoven loves acting, singing and performing. When he was cast as the lead, he said he was “super excited.” “I’ve never played a lead role before, so this is a whole new experience for me,” he said. The 22-year-old from Belden, is taking center stage as Wilbur in Theatre MSU’s upcoming production of “Charlotte’s Web,” premiering Friday [Sept. 27].

Beloved children’s classic ‘Charlotte’s Web’ opens 2024 Theatre MSU season this month

Mississippi State’s Theatre MSU—the production division of the Department of Communication—is launching its 2024-2025 season with a heartwarming classic, “Charlotte’s Web.” Part of the department’s Theatre for Young Adults program, the play based on E.B. White’s novel will enchant young audiences through the touching friendship between Charlotte, the spider, and Wilbur, the pig.

Pippin

Award-winning Theatre MSU continues 60-year milestone with coming-of-age dramatic comedy ‘The Wolves’

Mississippi State’s Theatre MSU continues its 60th season this month with a theatrical production highlighting the chaos and confusion of teenage life. Sarah DeLappe’s award-winning “The Wolves”—a Pulitzer Prize finalist script depicting young women of a high school soccer team as they gather weekly for practice—is presented on the McComas Hall main stage Feb. 28-March 2.

Hays receives community engagement award

Mississippi State is honoring eight outreach projects with the university’s sixth annual Excellence in Community Engagement Awards. Winners, awarded in four categories for 2023, include community-engaged research, service, and teaching and learning, and scholarship of engagement.

CO Connection: David Hintz

Mississippi State University Broadcast & Digital Journalism Instructor Victoria Bailey interviews Junior Theatre Major David Hintz. Hintz discusses his experiences as co-director of Pants on Fire, the Theatre Department Children's Show, and serving as stage manager on the production Puffs. Hintz talks about his time in MSU’s comedy improv group, Lab Rats, the inspiration behind his comedic style, and the importance of learning the craft of improv. Hintz talks about what we can expect from the Theatre Department in the Spring and the hard work it takes to get these various shows up and running.

Puffs

Pants on Fire

Award-winning Theatre MSU celebrates 60 years, opens 2023 season with improv

Mississippi State’s Theatre MSU debuts its 60th season this month with a play steeped in improvisation as part of its Theatre for Young Adults program. With four annual mainstage productions, the 2023-2024 season opens with “Pants on Fire: A totally made up musical for kids,” from Creede Repertory Theatre in Colorado. MSU’s Lab Rats Comedy—an improv student theatre club—also will sponsor the show.

Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Communication's Hays for contributions to the arts

Tonya S. Hays, assistant professor of theater performance in MSU’s Department of Communication, is a recipient of the Dr. Penny Wallin Lifetime Achievement in Arts Education Award for “consistently making meaningful contributions to her art form and advocating for the arts throughout her career.”

Paula Mabry directs award-winning play

Communication Lecturer Paula Mabry directed the Starkville Community Theatre play “Underneath the Lintel,” at the regional Southeastern Theatre Conference, and the performance won Best Actor and Best Director (Mabry).