Patrick Alan

MFA Performance & Pedagogy

Thesis: As You Like It and Making All the World a Stage

Favorite school of Theatre and Dance Memory:
“Congreve's Mellow Electric Skate-O-Rama. Alice Bryant created this hilarious piece that was filmed in one shot in a skating rink while we were roller skating around. I watch this once a month because it was truly some of our best work.”

Impact of the School of Theatre and Dance: 
“The School of Theatre and Dance provided the wonderful opportunity to lead multiple classrooms and gave me the skills to cultivate joy, knowledge, and experience for my students in theatre. Throughout the classes I took as a student, I was encouraged to take up space with my voice and helped to build the confidence needed to be a leader in this industry.”

Post-grad plans: 
“I've accepted a contract as a performer at Dolly Parton's Stampede in Branson, Missouri. I'll be there for the next year learning all the roles of the show, so I'll be performing numerous tracks in the production. While I'm there, I'll begin to apply for a teaching position at universities.”

Julia Anderson

MFA Playwriting

Thesis: A Feminine Touch: An Exploration of Intersectional Femme Rage

Favorite school of Theatre and Dance Memory:
“Watching my play at Frontier Fest!!!”

Impact of the School of Theatre and Dance:
“The School of Theatre and Dance has made me a better theatre scholar.”

Post Grad Plans:
“I will be continuing my studies at University of Colorado Boulder as a PhD candidate!!!”

Lauren Biediger

MA Dance Studies

Thesis: "Alsatian Influence in Texas Dance Halls"

Favorite School of Theatre and Dance Memory:
“I was a remote student, so meeting professors and classmates in person for the first time at my thesis defense was amazing! We knew each other very well but had not been in the same room together until that moment. It felt like old friends meeting up after years apart.”

Impact of the School of Theatre and Dance: 
“The structure of coursework for the MA Dance program flowed well and built on itself, which made the final thesis manageable with working full time and living life. Getting to know my professors and classmates also created a bond and expanded the network, providing opportunities to share my research and grow as a scholar.”

Post-Grad Plans:
“Pursuing a PhD in Dance History”

Cody Blythe

BFA Dance

Favorite School of Theatre and Dance Memory:
“One of my favorite memories with the School of Theatre and Dance was when our improv class went and danced around Memorial Circle.”

Impact of the School of Theatre and Dance: 
“The School of Theater and Dance has brought me out of my shell, and I have discovered new pieces of myself in this program that I will take with me for the rest of my life.”

Post-Grad Plans:
“I plan to dance professionally with a dance company or with a theme park.”

Alice Bryant (they/them)

MFA Performance and Pedagogy

Thesis: Playing Susan in The Secretaries and defending that acting process in my defense entitled "The Bloody Truth"

Favorite School of Theatre and Dance Memory:
 “There are honestly so many good memories that I've made here, but the one that stands out most in my brain is the final that I created for Seminar in Directing during my first year here. It was a reimagining of the classical play Wonder of the World set in the roller rink here in town! I cast all my classmates and friends who had the time to participate, and we went to the rink to perform! We all almost peed our pants laughing at how absurd and hilarious the setting was and how bad we all were at skating. I filmed it, since it was during covid, so we all often watch that video to laugh and remember how fun it was!

Impact of the School of Theatre & Dance:
“I have grown and learned so much in my time here. There are innumerable ways that this program has affected me, but I think one of the primary ones has been a boost in confidence. I am leaving this program feeling as though I truly have lots to offer the theatrical world outside of this department. My teachers, mentors, and peers with whom I have spent the last three years have shaped me for the better and I am so glad to have earned my masters at Tech!”

Post-Grad Plans:
 “My immediate post grad plans are to work at Tent Theatre in Springfield, MO as a draper for their summer season- I'll be heading there after graduation! After that, I plan to teach and work for at least a year before I hopefully head into a doctorate program! I look forward to using everything I learned here in the future!”

Samantha D. Cooper

BA Theatre Arts

Favorite School of Theatre & Dance Memory:
“Implementing my directing techniques in my first classroom and receiving positive feedback with my kids and the audience.”

Impact of the School of Theatre & Dance:
“Transferring to Texas Tech alone was a jump for me. Since being at the school and overcoming many obstacles along the way, I have learned that I am never alone. This program has shown me as an educator that just being there for your students impacts not only their work in your class but also their view of the world.”

Post-Grad Plans:
“I will teach in Frenship ISD at Alcove Trails Middle School. I am excited to be able to aid these kids, not only in the theatre, but as the people they strive to be when they leave my classroom.”

Melanie Frasca

MFA Performance & Pedagogy

Thesis: Rosalind in As You Like It

Favorite School of Theatre and Dance Memory: 
“My favorite memory would have to be directing the BurkTech Players first Shakespeare show and serving as artistic director for the past year. It is such an amazing program that never fails to remind me of the joy found in theatre.”

Impact of the School of Theatre & Dance:
“The biggest impact for me is finding new avenues and research. I found my love of intimacy choreography and vocal coaching here. I am also developing research in using burlesque as a movement method for the performer, and that is definitely a path I never would have found without the graduate movement course.”

Post-Grad Plans:
“Right now, I am still figuring out exactly where I am headed as I am waiting to hear back from some companies, but my goal is to work as an actress and intimacy choreographer. I am also looking into fringe festivals for my one-woman show, and I will be continuing my research in using burlesque for the performer at the National Women's Theatre Festival.”

Mackenzie Hammonds

BA Dance

Favorite School of Theatre and Dance Memory:
“My favorite memories are all the fun times backstage with the casts of each dance performance and realizing my own works on a stage.”

Impact of the School of Theatre and Dance:
“This program has connected me to so many individuals and new ideas. I am thankful for the positive growth that this community fosters.

Post-Grad Plans:
“In the fall I will begin my career as the Pom Coach at Lubbock Cooper Liberty High School.”

Justin M. Krall

MFA Performance and Pedagogy

Thesis: Cycle(s) Thesis Presentation: The Struggle for Meaningful Spectacle.

Favorite School of Theatre & Dance Memory: 
“Developing new works like Cycle(s)”

Post-Grad Plans:
“Move home to my wife in Atlanta where I'll pursue stunt work and fight direction. Start an action theatre company and training studio.”

Sarah Mayhew

MFA Performance and Pedagogy

Thesis: Directing The Secretaries in Spring 2023

Favorite School of Theatre and Dance Memory: 
“Every class with Jesse Jou; performing a Congreve piece on roller skates with Alice Bryant, and fighting desperately to act even though I cannot rollerskate; directing The Snake Eater for Frontier Fest; creating a sad werewolf character for a WildWind workshop on motion-capture movement performance; devising immersive and unconventional performance pieces at the Marfa Intensive; meeting my wonderful cohort and building lifelong relationships.”

Impact of School of Theatre and Dance: 
“This program pushes students to find their niche and explore outside their expertise. I've discovered so many passions within my time here that I never would have had the opportunity to nurture on my own or in a different program. Additionally, the teacher training that this school affords is unmatched. I feel so incredibly prepared to go and educate the future theatre makers after graduation. I'm so grateful for my time here and everything I've learned and experienced through Tech.”

Post-Grad Plans: 
“I recently accepted a job working with Birmingham Children's Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama as a teaching artist for their arts academy!”

Sydney Rood

BFA Dance

Favorite School of Theatre & Dance Memory: 
“My favorite memories made while in the program were at ACDA. I got to go 2 times while being here and each time it was a blast! It was so fun to travel with my classmates and showcase the work we've produced this year, all while watching what the rest of the schools in our conference have done as well. 

Impact of School of Theatre and Dance:
This program has impacted me immensely; before coming here I did not know my own leadership capabilities. The leadership roles I experienced have given me so much experience that fostered my growth in unexpected ways. I grew not only as an artist in my craft but also a young adult. I feel ready for what happens next (whatever it may be).”

Post-Grad Plans:
“My post-grad plans are to this summer choreograph Oklahoma! for Moonlight Musicals in Lubbock, TX. Then, I will continue to audition for performance opportunities as well as apply for arts administration jobs as well!”

Nicolette “Birdie” Stabeno

BFA Acting

My Favorite School of Theatre and Dance Memory: Many of my favorite memories are from classes because, every day, I was able to learn and play with my closest friends. I am fortunate to have found a community that made these past four years as special as they were.

Impact of the School of Theatre & Dance:
“During my time in the SoTD, I have collected a toolbox of training from voice to period styles to Meisner. I owe all this to the fantastic professors, faculty, and mentors who pushed me forward and expanded my thinking. It has been a joy to learn from them every day.”

Post-Grad Plans:
“I am excited to announce that I will be moving to Los Angeles in the fall to pursue a career in movies and television! Closing this chapter has been very hard as I end my time here in Loop 289. But with the help of my amazing family, friends, and packed toolbox, I look forward to pursuing a dream I have had since I was a little girl.”