Reynolds College Blog

Archives for June 2024

Tent veteran Adora Lorae Snead celebrates final student performance with “Mystic Pizza”

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Missouri State University’s Tent Theatre will wrap up its 62nd season with the musical “Mystic Pizza.”

Adapted from the 1988 romantic comedy film, the “Mystic Pizza” musical is a coming-of-age story of three young women set to a soundtrack of hits from the 1980s and 1990s.

The story is especially poignant for student actor Adora Lorae Snead, who will continue her own life adventures as a newly minted acting professional after the Tent season closes.

Showtimes are 8 p.m. July 5-6 and 8-13.

“Mystic Pizza” is directed by Professor Sarah Wiggin of MSU’s Department of Theatre and Dance.

New adventures ahead, but one more Tent in store

Snead, who graduated in Spring 2024 with a BFA in Musical Theatre, will head to New York City this August to pursue a career in the performing arts while also working as a grant writer.

Food server promotional graphic for "Mystic Pizza"

“I hope to help organizations that provide equity, diversity and access to arts education in communities across the nation,” Snead said.

But for now, her focus is on Tent and helping to create an amazing experience for the “Mystic Pizza” audiences.

Snead described “Mystic Pizza” as a story of sisterhood, friendship and community.

“It’s also full of your favorite ’80s pop/rock numbers,” she added. “The cast is stellar, the story is fun, and it’s truly a feel-good musical for all to enjoy.”

Creating “fun stories” builds professional portfolio

Snead describes herself as “lucky” to have worked most summers with Tent in some capacity since she began her college life at MSU.

“I couldn’t be more proud or grateful to get to share a part in creating these fun stories,” she said.

In addition to her dual roles as intimacy captain and ensemble cast in “Mystic Pizza,” some of Snead’s other stints as a Tent Theatre performer include “Beehive: the 60s Musical,” “Xanadu” and “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.”

“As an intimacy captain, my job is to take the choreography provided to the actors by our director and make sure it stays consistent, safe and comfortable for them throughout the run,” Snead explained. “Think dance captain, but with intimacy choreography rather than dance choreography.”

While all her ensemble roles have complimented her musical theatre career goals, identifying a favorite role is a challenge, Snead admitted.

“Choosing a favorite role is really tricky because each show is attached to a special part of my life and growth as an actor,” Snead said. “Not to mention that all of these shows are set in the 1960s-1980s, which means the music rocks!” [Read more…] about Tent veteran Adora Lorae Snead celebrates final student performance with “Mystic Pizza”

From nurse to advocate

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With a new degree in hand and a passion for change, Missouri State University alumna Cheri Montgomery is committed to improving accessibility and empowering people with disabilities.

Spurred on by her desire to advocate for the disabled community, Montgomery enrolled in MSU’s master’s program in communication in 2022 and graduated in spring 2024.

Montgomery had previously worked as a nurse specializing in special needs/disabled pediatrics for about 20 years, but she could not continue and decided to pursue graduate studies instead.

“I had to stop working as a nurse because my condition changed from walking to needing a wheelchair due to multiple sclerosis,” Montgomery said.

Montgomery cited high-performing students, a convenient location, affordability and the institution’s commitment to quality education as factors influencing her choice to attend.

Also, having children who graduated from MSU made her a longstanding supporter of the university.

Commitment to inclusion

Since graduating in the spring, Montgomery has dedicated herself to advocating for people with disabilities.

“My history is with pediatric disability, so I’m staying committed to advocating for an inclusive society,” Montgomery said. “There are no reasons for anyone to be left behind.”

Photo of Cheri Montgomery
Cheri Montgomery

Currently, she works with Rides 4 Ability, a company that provides non-emergency transportation for those with or without disabilities, particularly in rural areas. The organization serves people of all ages, helping them get to medical appointments, meetings, grocery stores and more.

“I do administrative work like updating contracts and applying for new ones. We’re currently applying to establish a contract with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,” Montgomery said.

She enjoys the services of Empower: abilities, a Springfield nonprofit offering services that empower people with disabilities to thrive in the community.

“This organization helps disabled people in various ways such as house modifications — building ramps and installing grab bars in bathrooms and showers. They helped me find employment with Rides 4 Ability,” Montgomery said.

She described a current initiative of Rides 4 Ability that trains individuals to evaluate restaurants, providing them $15 for their efforts.

The evaluations cover aspects like wheelchair accessibility of doors and bathrooms, respectful treatment by wait staff and the presence of accessible sidewalks to the restaurant.

“They’re compiling a database of disability-friendly restaurants in Springfield. This effort will enhance the dining experiences of individuals with disabilities, enabling them to enjoy meals with friends and family,” she said.

Montgomery has received her training and awaits the opportunity to participate in the survey. [Read more…] about From nurse to advocate

Talent and persuasion on display at Vicki Stanton Public Speaking Showcase

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The Vicki Stanton Public Speaking Showcase (VSPSS), hosted by Missouri State University’s Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film (CMJF), gives Fundamentals of Public Speaking (COM 115) students the opportunity to practice what they have learned in class.

The students were assigned different instructors who guided their practice and gave feedback. They then presented their best persuasive speeches to their peers and a panel of judges made up of MSU faculty members and other public speaking experts.

This year’s Spring VSPSS took place on April 29 in the Plaster Student Union.

The judges were Dr. Carrisa Hoelscher, Dr. Kelly Wood and Tyler Curran from MSU and public speakers Chris Roberds and Ethan Gambriel.

Christian Byndom, a psychology major from Nixa, Missouri, presented a speech titled, “Seeing People for Who They Are.” Byndom emerged as first place and audience choice award winner.

“Being surrounded by such talented people, not only in the finals but in the first two rounds, motivated me to become better and I’m honored to have been among such phenomenal competitors,” Byndom said.

Gavin Robertson, Lauren Painter, Faith Hinrichs and Maddux Radosevic finished second, third, fourth and fifth, respectively. [Read more…] about Talent and persuasion on display at Vicki Stanton Public Speaking Showcase

Dr. Heidi Backes publishes book on Spanish Gothic fiction

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Associate professor Dr. Heidi Backes has published her first book, “Spectral Spain: Haunted Houses, Silent Spaces and Traumatic Memories in Post-Franco Gothic Fiction,” through the University of Wales press.

“Spectral Spain” uses Spanish Gothic fiction to explore the connections between historical memory and the effects of twentieth-century Spanish fascism under Francisco Franco.

First published in the United Kingdom in May, the book will appear in North America in August through the University of Chicago Press, which is an affiliate of the University of Wales Press.

Backes said she felt “quite humbled” when she learned her book had been accepted for publication.

“The Gothic Literary Studies series at the University of Wales Press is one of the best academic series in the world for studies of Gothic fiction, and to have my scholarship selected to form part of that series has been a tremendous honor,” she said.

“Spectral Spain” incorporates Backes’ research and teaching at Missouri State University. She presented her initial research for the book in 2023 at the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Symposium.

Backes has taught at MSU for eight years in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions.

A fascination with Gothic fiction

Ever since she was a child reading R. L. Stine’s “Goosebumps” series, Backes has been fascinated by Gothic literature.

That fascination translated into an academic career. Backes earned her master’s and doctorate degrees in modern Spanish literature, specializing in Spanish Gothic fiction and twentieth century Spanish history.

“I am especially interested in twentieth century history and the Francisco Franco dictatorship (1939-1975),” she explained. “Many Gothic authors in Spain have written novels that take on the traumatic past in monstrous, ghostly forms.”

Backes is also drawn to how Gothic fiction explores themes of human psychology.

“There is something particularly meaningful about the way that the Gothic uses human psychology to teach us about ourselves and our societies — things that we may choose to ignore because they are too painful to acknowledge, things that frighten us, things that make us question the reality around us,” Backes said. [Read more…] about Dr. Heidi Backes publishes book on Spanish Gothic fiction

Lights, camera, Chiefs!

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A focus on maximizing opportunities and networking has led Austin Wood from Missouri State University football games to working for the Kansas City Chiefs franchise as part of its video production team.

Wood, who majored in digital film and television production in the Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film, began working for the Chiefs in 2022.

Working with the Chiefs’ video team

After graduating from MSU, Wood collaborated with Caleb Stillians to co-produce the hunting documentary series, “Rise Up” in Alaska, which paved the way for his position with the Kansas City Chiefs.

“Caleb is a hunting guide in Alaska and we decided that pairing our skill sets could make something beautiful. What came out of it were two seasons of the show that propelled us into new opportunities,” Wood said.

“He got more brand deals and I got my position with the Kansas City Chiefs. My work on the show stood out to them and the rest is history.”

Now as part of the Chiefs team, Wood said he mainly works on “The Franchise,” a seasonal documentary that records and highlights the team’s stories. The series captures the essence of what the Chiefs are as a franchise and showcases the winning culture of the organization.

Austin Wood on football field
Austin Wood at Super Bowl LVIII on the field of Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo credit: David Gray.

“The beauty of the show lies in the off-field features, where we go to the homes of players and staff to interview them and tell their story. We even go on a duck hunt with them out in the country,” Wood said.

He also films every home game and many away games all over the country.

“Before every game, I spend time brainstorming, editing and preparing. There’s always a lot to do, but I’m always grateful to work for a team in Kansas City — the town I was born in — that just won back-to-back Super Bowls and is making history every day,” Wood said. [Read more…] about Lights, camera, Chiefs!