Texas Tech University

New Student Spotlights

Robyn Conner

September 18, 2023

This fall, the School of Theatre & Dance welcomed close to 50 new students in our undergraduate and graduate programs! We’d like to introduce you to a few students from each discipline so you can learn what excites them most about the upcoming semester.

 

Anna Anasti

ANNA ANASTI | BA DANCE 

When did you first get involved with theatre or dance?
I first got involved with dance when I joined my high school's drill team.

What is the best production you ever saw?
The best production I've ever seen was definitely Houston Ballet's performance of the Nutcracker.

What is the project you enjoyed working on the most?
I most enjoyed dancing in my high school marching band's show, titled 'USO Forever.'

What are you most excited for this semester?
I'm most excited for performing at Fall Dance Festival in November.

Now that you've spent some time in LBK, where do you like to eat?
My favorite place to eat has definitely been One Guy From Italy off of University.

Devin Henley

DEVIN HENELY | BFA ACTING

When did you first get involved with theatre or dance?
Middle School

What is the best production you ever saw?
Leading Ladies

What is the project you enjoyed working on the most?
The Crucible at Texas Tech UIL Theatre Camp

What are you most excited for this semester?
Finding more love for acting and performing

Now that you've spent some time in LBK, where do you like to eat?
Cane's

Liz Holt

ELIZABETH HOLT | MFA ARTS ADMINISTRATION

When did you first get involved with theatre or dance?
I danced in a youth ensemble when I was in Elementary and Middle school. I didn't get involved in theatre until freshman year of high school.

What is the best production you ever saw?
The Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular.

What is the project you enjoyed working on the most?
If it's helping with a production--Hamlet. Performance-wise, I loved dancing in Hairspray.

What are you most excited for this semester?
Attending all of our productions and getting involved in any way I can.

Now that you've spent some time in LBK, where do you like to eat?
Thai Pepper, Thai Thai, Hayashi and Harrigans.

Chelsea Lawrence

CHELSEA LAWRENCE | BA THEATRE ARTS

When did you first get involved with theatre or dance?
If you ask my parents, I've always been dramatic.

What is the best production you ever saw?
Pilobolus at the Allen Theatre last year was mind-bending.

What is the project you enjoyed working on the most?
The Best (Worst) Christmas Pageant Ever.

What are you most excited for this semester?
Playwriting. I hope to see my plays on the stage.

Now that you've spent some time in LBK, where do you like to eat?
Jalisco's on Ave. Q

Gavin Perez

GAVIN PEREZ | BFA MUSICAL THEATRE

When did you first get involved with theatre or dance?
My senior year of high school! Until then, I had never sung, acted, or danced on stage!

What is the best production you ever saw?
The Broadway tour of The Lion King at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio!

What is the project you enjoyed working on the most?
Lubbock Community Theatre's production of SpongeBob SquarePants the Musical!

What are you most excited for this semester?
I am most excited to meet and work with so many new and talented people in the School of Theatre & Dance!

Now that you've spent some time in LBK, where do you like to eat?
Definitely Fun Noodle. I LOVE ramen.

Ramsey Riley

RILEY RAMSEY | BFA DESIGN/TECHNOLOGY

When did you first get involved with theatre or dance?
I first got into theatre when I took a shot in the dark and went into technical theatre my freshman year of high school.

What is the best production you ever saw?
Phantom of the Opera performed on Broadway in New York

What is the project you enjoyed working on the most?
The Addams Family Musical

What are you most excited for this semester?
Being able to see the opportunities college has for me and the friends I will meet.

Now that you've spent some time in LBK, where do you like to eat?
Blue Sky

Josh Rapp

JOSH RAPP | PHD FINE ARTS

When did you first get involved with theatre or dance?
I didn't get involved in theatre until my sophomore year of college when I was begrudgingly convinced to audition for Star Spangled Girl.

What is the best production you ever saw?
The Broadway tour of Spamalot was pretty incredible, honestly.

What is the project you enjoyed working on the most?
I recently directed a production of Bright Star and I could not have been blessed with a more fearless cast and crew.

What are you most excited for this semester?
I think it's the thrill of being in a room full of incredibly bright artists and scholars.

Now that you've spent some time in LBK, where do you like to eat?
My culinary adventures in Lubbock have been extremely limited. If you have suggestions, feel free to help me out.

Robin Rhodes

ROBIN RHODES | MA DANCE STUDIES

When did you first get involved with theatre or dance?
Through my church! My Christian church had a thriving dance ministry.

What is the best production you ever saw?
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in Atlanta Georgia in 2003!

What is the project you enjoyed working on the most?
Spirit Wings Dance Company and Studio's 2008 dance recital.

What are you most excited for this semester?
Developing my thesis. There is so much from which to draw and glean, so I'm excited to watch all that come into fruition.

Now that you've spent some time in LBK, where do you like to eat?
Haven't been to Lubbock yet, but my favorite food is mediterranean food. Got any great mediterranean places there?

Ayanna Taylor

AYANNA TAYLOR | MFA PERFORMANCE & PEDAGOGY

When did you first get involved with theatre or dance?
I first got involved with theatre and dance when I was in elementary.

What is the best production you ever saw?
The best production I have ever seen was The Lion King.

What is the project you enjoyed working on the most?
The best project I enjoyed working on was The Wolves.

What are you most excited for this semester?
I am most excited to see the productions this semester.

Now that you've spent some time in LBK, where do you like to eat?
There is a food truck called Tacos El Paisa Lubbock. They have some delicious birria tacos.