Hayden is graduating with a BS Theater degree and a minor in Agriculture. During his time at Missouri State, Hayden was a follow spot operator in the mainstage production of Pippin, gender-bended a role in The Effects of Gamma Rays as Tillie (Matilda), and portrayed Hunsdorfer in the Directing I One-Acts. With the help of Kyle Thomas, Hayden almost created a piece of monologues, similar to the work of Anna Deavere Smith, playing the parts of many people in his hometown affected by the flooding of 2019 and showcasing the importance of small farming towns. He has been a member of the Missouri State Chorus for three years, being a part of such works as “Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9,” “The Chichester Psalms” by Leonard Bernstein, “Domine Ad Adjuvandum Me Festina” by G.B. Martini, and “The Carmina Burana” by Carl Orff. Hayden was even able to stand on stage with John Goodman and sing “High, High Hopes” by Panic! at the Disco for the “Its On” event. Upon graduating, he hopes to find a job either singing or trying his hand at comedy. He would like to thank Dr. Kyle Thomas for showing him exactly what “Theater” could be during his Creative Leadership in Theater lecture and for pushing him to be as creative as possible with his Senior Project. Hayden would also like to thank Melony for being such an awesome advisor and helping him through an extremely rough patch when he first moved down to Springfield.
Congratulations, Hayden! You will do great things.