“I love what I do and it’s fun,” said Wes Haskell, assistant professor in the Department of Theatre. “Hopefully our audiences come away learning something; maybe moved or challenged in some way.”
Haskell graduated from Michigan State in May with a Master of Fine Arts degree and was offered a position as an assistant professor for the summer, an opportunity he eagerly accepted.
“I came to Michigan State to get more training as an actor and also to get training as a teacher — we really get a chance to hone our craft,” Haskell said.
Haskell is teaching Theatre 101, an acting class for non-theater majors. Haskell said teaching for the first time as a professor has been an easy transition since he was able to get experience before graduating as a teacher’s assistant.
“We combine my class with a directing class so there are students who are directing for the first time and then there are my students who are acting for the first time,” Haskell said. “It’s a good opportunity for them to really understand the process of creating a character and really putting a scene together.”
Since the position is only temporary, Haskell said he will be moving to New York in a couple of weeks to pursue his acting career.
But, Haskell admits that finding steady work as an actor right away could be difficult, so he plans to supplement his income by teaching as opposed to waiting tables.
“Since I have my MFA, hopefully I will be able to teach at a community college or at a university in New York,” he said. “I am really excited to try to use all the tools and skills I’ve learned at Michigan State.”
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