Leah Johnson

Hometown: Okinawa, Japan

MFA Performance & Pedagogy

Thesis Project: Digital Madness: World Building through Video Art

"I would like to thank Rachel Hirshorn-Johnston & Jesse Jou for their consistent mentorship through my graduate education. I feel empowered by the spirit of innovation seen in my fellow classmates. I look forward to what the future holds knowing that I have this supportive community."

Paul Kortemeier

Hometown: Cuba City, Wisconsin

MFA Performance & Pedagogy

Thesis Project: Production of The Woman in Black

Paul is overjoyed, grateful, and primed for the future.  His three years at Tech have given specificity to his performance, clarity to his pedagogy, and direction to his future work.  He extends special thanks to Rachel Hirshorn-Johnston and his thesis committee for empowering and inspiring him!

April Langehennig

Hometown: Brownfield, TX

MFA Performance & Pedagogy

Thesis Project: Limbo: A Production in the Time of Covid

"I would like to thank my wonderful thesis committee members Dr. Bill Gelber, Jesse Jou, Kyla Olson and Charlotte Boye-Christensen for believing that a production of this size was possible. I would also like to thank Mallory Prucha for going above and beyond not only as a mentor, but as an amazing artist in contributing her wonderful composite sketches and artistic insight into the project."

Surasak Namwatsopon

Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand

MFA Arts Administration

Thesis Project: Strategic Planning for Thammasat University Theatre in Bangkok, Thailand

"I am proud to be a part of the Texas Tech community. The school provides me enormous opportunities to learn from classes, hands-on experiences, and connections to renowned professionals around the globe. I'll never forget pursuing my master's degree here at Tech."

Ian Olsen

Hometown: Skowhegan, ME

MFA Design

Thesis Project: Bachelors in Paradise: Developing "Penelope" by Enda Walsh

"During an apocalypse, the folks who are left are the folks who rebuild. My time at Tech culminated with this project exploring what it means to be on the brink, with limited choices to improve the future. We are the people chosen by history to rebuild. Let's do it!"

Emilia Richardson

Hometown: Sweetwater, TX

MFA Design

Thesis Project: Costume Designing in a World that Stopped…

"Thank you Texas Tech and all of its wonderful professors and staff for your lessons. I hope to have left this place slightly brighter, more body positive, and with a smile. I plan to go onto teach in higher education. Congratulations everyone! We did it!"

Christian Ruiz

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

MFA Performance & Pedagogy

Thesis Project: How to Have Conversations About Mental Health in the Black Community

Favorite quote from a professor: “Make everything you do in graduate school serve double duty. Both educationally and artistically.” - Dr. Sarah Johnson

Collin Vorbeck

Hometown: Raytown, Missouri

PhD Fine Arts

Dissertation: Applying Event Schema to the Evolving Dramaturgies of Dramatic Literature

"Many thanks to the faculty, staff, and fellow students for helping me cross the finish line and complete my dissertation this spring. From the moments of enlightenment in classrooms to the engaging conversations in the hallways (and, sadly, via Zoom), I'll forever cherish my time at Tech."

Tucker Young

Hometown: San Angelo, TX

BA Theatre Arts

Tucker is graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and minor in Secondary Education. Tucker has accepted a position as the Theatre Teacher at Breckenridge High School for the 2021-2022 school year. He would like to thank Beth Scheckel, Jesse Jou, and many other professors that have made at Tech memorable.