Alumni are often invited to return the School of Theatre & Dance to share their real-world experiences. This is the case for our new lecturer at the School of Theatre and Dance, John Conner. He earned a BFA from Stephen F. Austin and an MFA with a focus in lighting design from Texas Tech University.
“I was accepted to two graduate programs, Lane College (Jackson, Tennessee) and Texas Tech,” said Conner. “For financial reasons, I decided to attend Texas Tech and could not be happier with my choice.”
John grew up in Texas. As a youth he lacked direction and was, at times, “unfocused.” His parents cared about his accomplishments and growth, helping him find a path while serving as important role models. While in school, John “tripped over” technical theatre, a discovery that sent him to “amazing places” and set him on a journey to become an educator:
The distance between my undergraduate and graduate degrees has made me a strange amalgam of an old schoolwork ethic and a new school education. Early in my career path, if you can call it that, I was easily distracted by opportunities that sent me far and wide from my goal of becoming an educator.
After earning his MFA, John landed a position at Pennsylvania State University-Altoona. When Penn State-Altoona decided to shutter its theatre program, John was asked to stay on and teach classes to the remaining cohort of students.
John knew he wanted to do more. After attending several conferences, he spoke off and on with Andrea Bilkey, now the Associate Dean for Students and Curricula in the J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual and Performing Arts at Texas Tech. She mentioned that a lecturer position in design was opening up, and John applied.
John teaches Theatre Appreciation for Majors, Elements of Design, and Principles of Lighting, and he also designed lights for Fall Dance Festival this fall. He's happy to be back in Lubbock, not only because of the world-class facilities and cutting-technology in the new Theatre & Dance Complex, but also because he will be much nearer to his first soon-to-be-born grandchild.
“I do not think I could find myself in a better position,” said Conner. The faculty here are welcoming, inclusive, and encouraging.”
John has a message for students.
He knows that school can be difficult, emotionally draining, and stressful. “If theatre has taught me anything,” explains Conner, “it is to be flexible. What worked last time might not work this time, or next time, or ever again. If your choices are not working, stop, take a breath, and try something else.”