January 30, 2026
For Faith Harris, theatre has always been a place of belonging, creativity, and growth. Now a senior theatre arts education major at East Texas Baptist University, Harris is stepping into a new role this semester as a student director.
Harris will complete her coursework this spring before beginning student teaching in the fall. As part of her preparation for teaching theatre in the classroom, she is directing a student production, an experience that has invited her to see both the art form and her own leadership in a new way.
“I've always been a very visual and hands-on learner,” Harris explained. “I like to build things. I'm crafty, I draw, I sew. That really spurred my interest in technical theatre. Professor Yenish and Dr. Wampler have been such good role models and genuinely care about each of us. They allow us to do the things we’re interested in but also push us to expand our knowledge through other parts of the process. I took a directing class with Dr. Wampler and a stage management course with Professor Yenish and they really helped prepare me for this directing role. I’m more inclined to think about subtle things I can do to change things visually, how to communicate with actors, and collaborating as a team to uncover ideas I may not have thought about initially.”
Harris began participating in formal theatre productions when her family moved from Nevada to East Texas near the end of her high school years. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a calling through community theatre opportunities with Tyler Civic Theater and Arts View in Longview.
“That space became my safe place,” she said. “It was where I could express myself and have fun.”
After earning an associate degree in fine arts from Kilgore College, Harris transferred to ETBU, where she found a program that aligned with both her creative instincts and her desire to teach. Throughout her time at ETBU she has worked in numerous areas such as props, costumes, sound, and backstage support.
“In technical theatre, our whole job is to support the actors,” Harris explained. “If we do our job well, no one notices. It’s been really cool to explore.”
The show Harris is directing, “Future, Here,” centers on five teenagers who have been completely isolated as part of an experiment designed to create ideal members of society. The story unfolds on the final day of the experiment as the characters wrestle with fear, identity, and an uncertain future.
“When I was looking through plays, I probably pulled five or six different ones,” Harris said. I gravitated toward this one because I felt like it would resonate with emerging adults and parents and family who are watching their students step into a new coming of age.”
Harris hopes audiences walk away with an understanding that fear is natural, but it does not have to be paralyzing, especially when experienced within a supportive community.
“It's a very cool message, I think, especially for this time that we're in, with so much of life being lived through the lens of social media and so many things outside of our control,” Harris explained. “It’s a reminder that at the heart of it is friendship and community. Ultimately, a relationship with Christ and relationships with people that support you is what will push you to overcome fear.”
The close-knit nature of ETBU’s School of Communication and Performing Arts has played a significant role in shaping Harris’ experience. Harris says that the opportunities to collaborate closely with other students across disciplines has helped her form strong relationships while doing the work she loves.
“Being able to make friends in this community and craft something that we're all so passionate about is really fun,” Harris said. “It's so cool to, at the end of the day, see a show finished. There's also something very bittersweet about when it does end. I think it’s a reflection of how we live our lives. We have little joys we experience that are fleeting, but that doesn't void the purpose and fulfillment they can bring to us in the moment. Getting to know these people and getting to know where their purpose lies with their connection to Christ has been really awesome.”
As Harris prepares for a future in theatre education, she feels equipped through the ways she has been involved at every level when preparing for a show and through the people who have been alongside her for it all.
“I'm just thankful, honestly,” Harris said. “Directing is something that I was really scared of initially, because it's not something I have done before. But at the same time, I'm so excited about it now. It has been interesting to explore a new side of theatre and begin to fully understand what goes into something like this. There are so many moving pieces, so looking at it through the director's lens, I’ve gained even more respect for Dr. Wampler and other faculty and directors that I know, because it's a lot of work. I hope to always lead with grace, have fun, and make cool things with other people.”
Tickets to the upcoming production of “Future, Here,” are available at www.ETBU.edu/boxoffice. The show will run February 5-8, 2026 in Mabee Recital Hall of ETBU’s Jenna Guest Music Building. Admission is $10 or free with a valid ETBU ID.