Faculty and Staff

Brent Menchinger is a scenic and lighting designer. Currently, he is the Chair of the Department of Global Languages and Theatre Arts. His research interests include world theatre, multi-media and art history.

Matthew Crider is a movement and acting teacher. His research interests include Stage Combat, Clown, and Suzuki Actor Training. He is an Advanced Actor/Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors.

Lissa L. Graham-Schneider is a full professor. She received her MFA in Directing from Virginia Commonwealth University. Lissa works across the country as a professional director, stage manager and actor. She teaches play analysis, and all levels of directing courses. In addition, she teaches children's theatre and puppetry. Lissa also teaches film history and pop culture classes on zombies and sci-fi films.

Debra is trained as a scenographer but focuses on lighting, scenery, and props. Her research interests include all manner puppets and she is a member of Alpha Psi Omega, Lambda Zeta cast. https://debrapholmes.weebly.com

Kevin Bradley Loveland Jr. is a choreographer, dancer, and teacher emphasizing in modern dance and movement for musical theatre. He continues to further his education and knowledge in dance, obtaining his certification in Horton Technique and Pedagogy, as well as, Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT). Kevin’s research interests include dance theatre, queer performative arts, queer history, and methodology of choreography.

Daryl W. Phillipy is an Associate Professor of Theatre Arts. Daryl specializes in teaching the Sanford Meisner approach to actor training. Daryl teaches Acting II, Acting III and Acting Shakespeare. He also teaches Voice and Diction and Stage Dialects. Daryl has studied with some of the top acting teachers in the world. This includes Ron Van Lieu, Christopher Bayes, Larry Silverberg and William Esper. Daryl has worked as professional actor and director for over 20 years on stages throughout the United States.

R. Wayne Hogue, Jr. received his Bachelors of Science in Theatre with a minor in Theatre Tech and Design at Murray State University, Spring 2021. Wayne directed and assistant directed many of our mainstage shows as well as acted in several throughout his time here.

Justin Walsh (Technical Director) is a tenured professor at Murray State University. He has worked in theatre since 1994. He earned his MFA at West Virginia University and his BFA at Miami University. His professional credits include: Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Long Wharf Theatre, Hartford Stage Company, Glimmerglass Opera, and University of Ohio