Communication & Performance Studies

Degrees Offered

In the Communication & Performance Studies Program, we offer 4 different degrees. Options are below.

• Art
• ​Communication
• Musical Theatre
• Theatre

Click here for details and links to Degree Sheets - Under Communication and Performance Studies 

​The course offerings in the Communication & Performance Studies Program have these objectives:

1. to provide students with the basic courses in Art, Music, Theatre and Communications, which are prerequisite to more advanced study in these fields;

2. to increase students appreciation and enjoyment of the arts in all their forms;

3. to provide opportunities for self-expression and artistic development.

Murray State College Faculty is united in the goal of student accomplishment and advancement of the Arts in all their forms.

Faculty Members

Susan Pfau Yeager (Dean & Program Chair)

Musical Theatre Ensemble, Applied Vocal Music, Voice & Diction, Oral Interpretation, Acting I & II, Humanities I & II, Play & Musical

Susan Pfau Yeager has been performing professionally for over 20 years all over the world. She toured extensively in Europe as Christine in Phantom and in Canada as a soloist in Andrew Lloyd Weber: Music of the Night. Here, in the States, Susan has been seen in such shows as The Hunchback of Notre Dame (NY Workshop), A Little Night Music, Forbidden Broadway, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Du Barry was a Lady(Broadway), Hot n’ Cole, and Candide to name a few. She appeared in Tiptoes as part of the Gershwin Celebration at Carnegie Hall and in Stephen Schwartz’ Children of Eden (She is featured on the cast recording). Other recordings include Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Yuletide Recording 2004 with Sandi Patty and Daniel Rodriguez as well as Stephen Sondheim’s The Frogs. Susan was noted in The New York Times for her performance in Gay Divorce at Carnegie Hall and for her “strong portrayal of Bathsheba” in The Eternal Road at Avery Fisher Hall. Since moving to Ardmore, Susan has been busy directing for Ardmore Little Theatre. Her directing credits include Spamalot, Young Frankenstein, 9 to 5, Bye Bye Birdie, Jekyll & Hyde, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Annie Get Your Gun, Wizard of Oz and Cinderella. She was the music director for Hairspray and Evita.  In April 2013, she created Noel Productions, Inc. a professional theatre company in Ardmore. Through Noel Productions, Inc., Susan produced, wrote, directed and performed in Noël: A Celebration of Christmas 2013 as well as The Life That Late I Led - A One Woman Show about her life and career in Show business. She is the owner of Susan Pfau Yeager Studios, and is the co-owner of Marvin's Place Art Gallery both located in Ardmore's Depot District.  In 2015, Susan was hired by Murray State College as the Chair of the Arts & Humanities Division. She earned her Bachelor of Music Degree at Arizona State University, and her Master of Music Degree and Artist Diploma at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Susan is a proud member of Actor’s Equity.

Email: syeager@mscok.edu

Adjunct Faculty Members

Fred Collins

Speech, Oral Interpretation 

Email: fcollins@mscok.edu

Noel Collins

Stagecraft, Acting I & II, Intro to Theatre, Speech

Email: ncollins@mscok.edu

Dr. Danise Gallaway

Fundamentals of Music, Theory I & II, Piano, Accompanist: Applied Vocal Music, Musical Theatre Ensemble

Dr. Danise Gallaway holds degrees in piano performance and pedagogy from Eastern New Mexico University and the University of Oklahoma. She has extensive experience teaching piano to students of all ages in her independent studio and in group settings in private and public schools, colleges, and universities. Her students consistently earn awards and top honors at festivals and competitions. Dr. Gallaway is also a collaborative pianist in various vocal and instrumental departments in the area. She is committed to mentoring aspiring musicians, helping them to develop essential skills to become successful performers and teachers.

Dr. Gallaway has had articles published in Keyboard Companion and American Music Teacher and has presented papers and workshops at several conferences including the Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities, National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, College Music Society, and at state conference for the Oklahoma Music Teachers Association, Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association, Professional Music Teachers of New Mexico, and the Texas Music Teachers Association. Her research interests include teaching techniques for special-needs students, four-hand piano teaching literature, and historical aspects of piano pedagogy.

Dr. Gallaway holds affiliations with Music Teachers National Association and the Oklahoma Music Teachers Association, College Music Society, National Piano Foundation, as well as memberships in Phi Kappa Lambda and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. Additionally, in 2008, Dr. Gallaway received the Gail Boyd deStwolinski Award from the University of Oklahoma for outstanding promise for exceptional achievement in the profession of music research and education.

Email: gallawaystudio@yahoo.com

Cole Hackett

Writing for Mass Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Photojournalism 

Cole Hackett serves as an Adjunct Instructor in Murray State's Arts and Humanities Department, teaching courses in mass communication, interpersonal communication as well as photojournalism. While serving previously as MSC's Communication Coordinator, he was the author/editor of MSC's weekly newsletter, the Aggielite. He also provided content for and coordinated MSC social media accounts, website content, and acted as campus photographer in addition to press release writing, graphic design and video production. He has more than 15 years' experience in public relations, marketing and journalism and has worked in the private and public sector in media relations, marketing, business management and grant writing. As an adjunct instructor, he has taught classes in writing for mass communications, public speaking, interpersonal communications, photojournalism, business communication, media culture, and public relations.

Hackett earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism/public relations with a minor in philosophy and a Master of Arts degree in strategic communications from the University of Oklahoma. His areas of academic and research interest include higher education and government public relations/communication, crisis communications, mediated communications, and rhetoric. Recipient of the 2014 Bronze Quill Award of Excellence from the International Association of Business Communicators-Central Oklahoma Chapter for his work coordinating ODOT/FHWA's Oklahoma Progress press conference and subsequent press release, Hackett enjoys reading, hiking and gardening in his free time. He and his wife, Jeni, have twin sons and live in Ada.

Email: chackett@mscok.edu

Mika Knight

Humanities I & II

Hi, my name is Mika Knight! I am in the Humanities Adjunct and this is my second year teaching at Murray State College. I received my BA at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and my MA at University of Texas in Dallas. I recently got married and just moved to the Ada area. We have 2 dogs, Maise May and Shadow Mo. My hobbies include crafts, reading, writing, singing, and quoting movies on the daily.

Email: mknight@mscok.edu

Amanda Terrell

Online Art Appreciation

Amanda Terrell is an online adjunct Art Appreciation instructor at Murray State College. She also is an adjunct instructor at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. She earned her B.A in Art History from the University of Toledo and her M.A in Art History from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

Mrs. Terrell resides in Orlando, Florida with her husband and son.

Email: aterrell@mscok.edu