Faculty Spotlight
Tonya Hays
By: Zoie Henson, student PR Intern
Tonya Hays joined the Department of Communication’s faculty in the fall of 2020 and worked the previous semester as a lecturer. Hays received her B.A from Oklahoma Baptist University and her MFA in Texas Christian University. At MSU, Hays teaches acting, playwriting, directing, theatre for young audiences and theatre for change.
Hays recently worked on Theatre MSU’s production of Banner: A Sea Turtle Saga, which she wrote to educate change within oceans. The production was performed in November of 2021 for local schools and for the public with the help of the Northern Gulf Institute. The play focused on the health of oceans and included life-sized, hand-made puppets.
Hays enjoys the field of communication because, “The enthusiasm of my colleagues and the students as wells how all explore how we interact with each other and our world.”
Hays was nominated to be featured as a spotlight because of her outstanding work with Theatre MSU. Dr. Terry Likes, Department Head for the Department of Communication, said “Tonya Hays walked into Theatre MSU last year at a difficult time with two faculty leaving and amid the pandemic. To use a baseball analogy, she knocked it out of the park. She has produced innovative ideas, plays that are far reaching into the community and has secured grant money. She has helped recruit additional, diverse students to the program. Tonya has a wonderful rapport with faculty and students. She has been a welcome addition to Theatre MSU.”
Favorite part of being a professor?
Learning from and with my students.
Favorite memory in the department?
The audience dance with the cast of A Midsummer Nights Dream at our production at North Farm Last year AND the star gazing scene from Anne and Emmett.
Any funny stories from McComas?
It is inhabited by bats! One got lost last year on its way out at night and was flying around during our rehearsal of Anne and Emmett.
Best advice you have for communication students?
Be open and just say yes!
If you didn’t work in communication, what could you see yourself doing?
I would work in the music industry as a composer and jazz musician.
Favorite part of working in communication?
The enthusiasm of my colleagues and the students as wells how all explore how we interact with each other and our world.
If you could only watch one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
I LOVE films. So many I can't name a favorite BUT my favorite Broadway Show is The Lion King. It is absolutely beautiful and magical. If I could've worked on one show on Broadway in my entire life, I would've been proud to be a part of The Lion King in any way.
Favorite spot in Starkville?
Noxubee Wildlife Refuge—a place of peace and beauty.
Do you have human or furry children?
I have two daughters, Aubrey and Gracie, who are out of college and work in the music industry in Austin, TX and Nashville, TN. I have some plant babies, but no fur babies yet! I’m on the lookout!
How do you spend your free time?
I love hiking, skiing, walking, mountain climbing, or anything outdoors.