With a passionate, enthusiastic, persuading yet informative and dignified voice that could grasp the entire student population at any university in a matter of seconds, it's not surprising that Tyler Smith chose to become a professor.
Smith was inspired to teach after completing a general theater education class during his undergraduate years at Denison University, where Smith was an English creative writing major and a theater minor to begin. That is, until his professor presented theater in a whole new way.
"Basically [my professor] just sort of opened the door to the craft for me," Smith said. "It allowed me to see theater in a different light than I had before. His belief in theater as a way of teaching ... when he directed productions at Denison, just like any good academic director he wasn't just directing for an artistic result, he was directing for teaching."
Shifting from a desire to become a writer, Smith discovered theater was "a more exciting version of art."
Whereas in writing, the audience reads and creates an image in their mind, theater gives the audience a lively performance with visual elements, such as lights, scenic designs and sound effects.
While there were many paths Smith could have taken in the theater world — the obvious being acting or possibly entertainment law — Smith wanted to teach in some form. He debated between English or theater and then between a high school or college setting.
Deciding to teach at the university level, he would find himself still teaching theater eight years later, now for Ball State University's Department of Theatre and Dance where he teaches European theater history. Smith believes it's essential to teach European theater to students because it affects the modern practice so much.
"I think the relationship between America and Europe is completely fascinating," he said, his strong energetic voice rising with passion as he speaks. "The cultural links primarily between America and Britain are fascinating to me. ... I love the interplay between New World, us, and Old World culture. If you look at Shakespeare or if you look at the English restoration and see the influences they have on later American forms, that's completely fascinating."
Smith wants students to understand the impact of European theater, so when they perform they have an understanding of the cultural context of the play and aren't simply acting to entertain.
"As an artist, I think art should not exist in a vacuum," he said. "It's my goal to communicate that linkage to my students because I don't think our culture promotes that."
When asked if he would take a job with a higher salary and more recognition, he responded "absolutely not." He said he would rather do something he loves.
He's taken this love further by dedicating two years to a master's program and six years to obtain a doctorate, which already puts him eight years behind on retirement savings and income growth.
"Dr. Tyler Smith is an extraordinarily dedicated teacher in a department filled with extraordinarily dedicated teachers," Michael O'Hara, the associate dean of the College of Fine Arts, said. "He has a gift for making complex material accessible to undergraduates, partly because he is such a good listener. He is one of those rare teachers who are academically difficult, but students nevertheless flock to them for advice, mentorship and guidance."
It's essential that artists understand the meaning behind their craft. It's really only when we understand where we come from that we can create something in the present that will last forever. And Smith is able to embody those ideas in his teaching.
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