Professor John (JD) Davis is the Technical Director in the Department of Drama. He is currently working on scenery for JSU’s upcoming musical, Once upon a Mattress. 

What are some of your hobbies and interests? 

I’m a hiking and specifically backpacking fiend. But I’m really just a sucker for anything outside.

Do you have any pets? 

I do. Between my wife and myself, we have 3 dogs: a Pembroke Welsh Corgi boy, an Australian Kelpie girl, and a Cowboy Corgi boy (½ Blue Heeler and ½ Corgi)

Where are you from?

I’m from pretty much all over Alabama. I was born in Birmingham, but most recently considered Montgomery home before a 3-year stint in Tallahassee during grad school.

Did you always plan on teaching? 

I did not. I expected to move into teaching at a later point in my career, but I intended to work in the industry for several years before I began teaching. I hadn’t considered teaching this early in my career until I came to visit JSU and realized how good of a fit it felt like. It didn’t take long to fall in love with the community and the program and the idea of preparing these students for their own careers.

What is your favorite class to teach, and why? 

So far, my favorite class to teach is Stage Crafts. I relish the opportunity to introduce students to the technical side of theatrical production and show them all the opportunities for getting involved with live entertainment beyond performing.

What is your specialization in? 

I have a Masters of Fine Arts in Technical Production from Florida State University. My focus is on live event production and project management, shop management, technical drafting, and scenic carpentry.

Do you have a favorite play? 

I do! Ever since I worked as the sound engineer for it during undergrad at Troy, I have absolutely loved The Drowsy Chaperone. It’s such a fun, romping, all-over-the-place musical with tons of fun little gags and neat technical opportunities.

Do you sponsor any clubs or organizations? 

Not at the moment, but I am a journeyman in the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) union.

What do you love most about working at JSU? 

My favorite part of being here at this University is the potential. We have great students who all have such great possibilities to accomplish wonderful things with their careers if they continue to apply themselves and search out the opportunities they want.

What are you currently working on with your classes? 

We are currently working on building the scenery for our spring musical in the Drama Department: Once upon a Mattress, as well as preparing to hang and focus all of the lighting instruments, locating and modifying the furniture and hand props needed for the set dressing, and getting everything painted and installed for the production. It’s quite a busy time in what I call the JSU Drama Scenic Studios.

Do you have any recent professional accomplishments? 

I was recently featured in an article of Southern Theatre called “The Technical Director Drought: A Career Opportunity for Students and a Challenge for the Industry.” https://issuu.com/setc.org/docs/2020-winterst-toweb-smaller/19