Faculty Spotlight
Jesse Wade
by: Greta Allen, PR student intern
Jesse Wade is a native of Fort Valley, Ga., and has been a part of MSU’s Department of Communication for two years. Wade received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, Communication, and Media Arts at Georgia Southwestern State University. He then received a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Design and Technology at Northern Illinois University. During his time in the MSU communication department, Wade has taught Introduction to Theatre, Theatre Practicum, Drawing for the Stage and Stagecraft.
Wade’s favorite part about working in the communication field is the ability to collaborate with many different professionals in many different fields.
Tonya Hays, theatre concentration coordinator, said, “Jesse serves as our technical director and he is an absolute delight to work with. The students enjoy him and he inspires them. His enthusiasm is contagious among his faculty colleagues as well as the students. I’m so honored to call him my colleague and my friend.”
Favorite memory in the Department of Communication?
The Lab Rats did a Halloween show where the bit was that everyone was dressed as Dr. House. I surprised them by showing up to the show in a matching costume and they all lost it!
Best advice you have for communication students?
Don't let your artistic urges fall to the wayside. Embrace those tendencies and use them to enhance your work.
Any funny stories from McComas?
During a late night tech rehearsal, our tech students swapped places with our actors and performed the whole show in reversed roles. Sleep deprivation is a powerful force.
If you didn't work in communication, what could you see yourself doing?
Were I not in this field, I would almost certainly have been either a lawyer or a musician.
Favorite part of being a professor?
I love teaching and finding moments when students who had no prior interest in theatre discover that they want to engage with it on a deeper level.
If you could only watch one film for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
I could watch any Muppets movie over and over and never get bored.
What's your favorite spot in Starkville?
I'm a big fan of Dave's. Good food, live music, what's not to like?
How do you spend your free time?
I volunteer at Starkville Community Theatre when I'm not working, otherwise I'm probably listening to music or playing a game of some sort.
Do you have human or furry children?
I have a dog, Coda, who is very nice. I also have a cat, Alfie, who is not nice at all.
What is your favorite location you have ever traveled to and why?
I love The Rocky Mountains in Colorado and have been working for a theatre there for the past couple of years. No matter where you look, you are treated to a vision of exactly how beautiful nature can really be.