FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From: Students and Alumni of Texas Tech University’s School of Theatre and Dance

CALL TO ACTION FOR TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY J.T. AND MARGARET

TALKINGTON COLLEGE OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL OF
THEATRE AND DANCE

[Lubbock, TX, June 30] We, the students and alumni of Texas Tech University’s School of
Theatre and Dance (as well as students and alumni from the College of Visual and Performing
Arts at large), believe that silence is not an option when BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and/or
People of Color) lives are on the line. After reviewing the written statement the College of
Visual and Performing Arts (TCVPA) released a staggering three weeks after George Floyd’s
death, it appeared evident that the safety, comfort, and equity of BIPOC students, faculty, and
staff were not a priority. Therefore, we have joined together to demand that changes be enacted
to make the School of Theatre and Dance a safer and more inclusive space for our BIPOC
population.

The School of Theatre and Dance (formerly known as the Department of Theatre and Dance) has
historically lacked diversity in faculty, staff, and season selection which has resulted in displays
of tokenism, racist depictions of BIPOC individuals on stage, and the further perpetuation of
systemic racism, among other problematic behaviors. For years, both undergraduate and graduate
students have requested the hiring of BIPOC individuals, as well as highlighting more stories
about and/or by BIPOC individuals on our stages. These requests have been ignored, and this
negligence has contributed to the trauma of numerous students. Currently, the School of Theatre
and Dance has not put in place any multicultural competency training for staff, faculty, and
students. Additionally, in 2017, Texas Tech University was designated a Hispanic Serving
Institute yet the Department has shown no real effort in hiring any Latinx Faculty or designed
any programs or courses to serve Latinx students.

Our vision for Texas Tech University’s School of Theatre and Dance is one where BIPOC
students, faculty, and staff feel included, safe, heard, and celebrated. We implore you to meet the
demands below to accomplish this exceedingly important vision.
1. We Demand Reparations and Ongoing Accountability
● The School of Theatre and Dance will offer a public apology to students for being
complicit in the systemic racism and oppression of its BIPOC students, faculty, and
staff.
● The School of Theatre and Dance will investigate any/all accusations of racism,
sexual harassment, misconduct, or assault included in the attached reports and take
necessary actions if needed.
● The School of Theatre and Dance graduate and undergraduate elected representatives
will add a mandatory agenda item to their cohort meetings addressing diversity,
equity, and inclusion within the School. The representatives will report all grievances,
injustices, and/or new action items directly to the Director of the School of Theatre
and Dance.

2. We Demand Changes in Institutional Structure, Leadership, and Recruitment

● The School of Theatre and Dance will actively recruit and support BIPOC students in
all programs, beginning with plans to create at least one scholarship offered to BIPOC
students.
● The School of Theatre and Dance will appoint a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
(DEI) Officer who will offer transparent updates to faculty, staff, and students
biannually on opportunities and challenges in the area of DEI and this action plan.
● The School of Theatre and Dance will immediately investigate the reason for the
hiring committee’s failure to recruit BIPOC faculty.
● The School of Theatre and Dance will create a diversity inclusion plan with the intent
to hire and seek out BIPOC faculty and staff over the course of 10 years.
● The School of Theatre and Dance will commit to a goal of at least 50% BIPOC
faculty, staff, and guest artists by 2031.

3. We Demand Focused Education and Programming

● The School of Theatre and Dance will require curriculums to incorporate discussions
of race, multicultural, and gender studies in at least 50% of theatre and dance courses.
● The School of Theatre and Dance will offer teachings outside of a Western-centric
perspective. Including the incorporation of intersectional feminism to counter an
otherwise white heteronormative patriarchal canon.
● The School of Theatre and Dance will incorporate a syllabus requirement of 50/50
breakdown of books and resources by BIPOC and non-BIPOC authors.
● The School of Theatre and Dance will offer a season composed of at least half
BIPOC writers and/or directors in theatre productions, and BIPOC-inspired stories in
dance productions.
● The School of Theatre and Dance will offer a mandatory microaggression and
diversity training for all faculty, staff, and students.
● The School of Theatre and Dance will form a committee of two (2) faculty, two (2)
undergraduate students, and two (2) graduate students to draft by-laws emphasizing
color-conscious casting, as well as guidelines for identifying and prohibiting the
production of plays and musicals that maliciously portray BIPOC individuals in a
stereotypical or racist manner.
As a student body, it is our job to hold Texas Tech University and the School of Theatre and
Dance accountable for their injustices and incite positive change. We want the School of Theatre
and Dance to be committed to creating a path toward dismantling the mechanism of cultural
appropriation and systemic oppression within its walls. Current and future Red Raiders deserve
better. We understand that these changes will not happen overnight, but we cannot continue to sit
idly by. We look forward to your response.

Signed,
Angela Aguilera, BA 2021
Teddy A. Rodriguez-Velez, PhD 2013 Meagan Pierce, BFA 2021
Mackenzie Duke, BA 2021 Rafael Aviles, BFA
Amanda Espinoza, MFA 2015 Callie Watson IAS BA 2021
Sharai Bohannon, MFA 2016 Molly Glueck, BFA 2022
Keandra Hunt, BFA 2022 Magailie Bouillion, BA 2020
Kalee Grimsley, BA 2021 Makenzie Patton, BA 2020
Logan Smith, BA 2021 Hannah Turell, BFA 2022
Tucker Young, BA 2021 Miera Garcia, BA 2021
Cassandra Trautman, MFA 2018 Alexa Teleki, BFA 2022
Mariah Solis, BA 2021 Ebony Madry, BFA 2012
Collyn Glaspie, BA 2019 Andria Miller, MFA 2013
Jordan Gargiulo BA 2019 Robyn R. Huizinga, MFA Performance and
Madeleine Nutt, BA 2019 Pedagogy 2011 & MA Interdisciplinary
Michael Moriearty, BA 2018 Studies 2014
Jennifer Ringer, BA 2017 Taralynn Francis, BFA 2019
Kaylee Underwood BFA 2022 Erin Grogan, PhD 2019
Ryan Fay, MFA 2020 Zachery Ell, BA 2019
Savannah Cooper, BFA 2017 Luke Weber, BFA 2021
Sonora Ruelas, MFA 2018 Ashley Love, PhD candidate & MA 2014
Joel Palma, BA 2022 Diana Lee, BA 2019
Alec Gallardo, BFA 2019 Elizabeth Bruce, MFA 2013
Lexi Qaiyyim, BFA 2017 Jamy Gillespie, BFA 2013
Elyse Dixon, BFA 2024 Melissa Miller, MFA 2018
Rick (Richard) Reeves, MFA 2017 Ryan Bruce, MFA 2013
Emmalee Schooler, BA 2019 Maigan McPherson, MFA 2013
Emily Martinez, BA 2022 Melanie Threatt, BA 2018
Allaina Capili, BA 2020 Cinthya Hernandez, MFA 2014
Kerstin Vaughn, MFA 2022 Alicia Jade Martin, BA 2015
Colin Thomas, BA 2022 Omar Samad, MC-BA-COMS, 2020
Nate Hall, BFA 2017 Katie Hahn, MFA 2018
Kacey Gore, BA 2020 Ashley Sawatzke, PhD 2020
Hannah Holtz, Theatre Minor 2021 Hannah Schweinfurth, MFA 2011
Kietraille Sutton, BFA 2021 Sara Skar, MFA 2017
Baylee Hale, BFA 2020 Macey Waid, Theatre Minor 2021
Delaney O’Neal, BFA 2021 Teri Bocko, BA 2009
Sarah Jones, BA 2017 Becca Worthington, BFA MT 2024
Lauren Voigt, Theatre Minor 2021 Alex Moore, MFA 2011
Adam Gallegos, BA 2010 Sherry R. Boyd, PhD 2016
DeRon S. Williams, PhD 2018 Hannah Fallstrom, BA 2018
Charlotte Harris, BFA 2018 Sydney Dotson, BFA 2023
Jennifer Morazan, Theatre Minor 2015 Malāna Wilson, BFA 2021
Mitej Dongarkar, BA 2021 Kolton Robertson, BFA 2018
Connor Lee Myers, BA 2015 Lauren Hartley, BFA 2014
Julia Rhea, BFA 2018 Briana Moody, BA 2012
Alec Lee Williams, MFA 2020 Matt Russo, BFA 2016
Carlos Medina Maldonado, MFA 2022 Christina Jones, BA 2011
Matthew Cubillos, BFA 2019 Leni Morales, BA 2014
Kimberly Powers, BFA 2016 G. Dean McBride, MFA 2018
Jamal Hutcherson, BFA 2020 Susan Stone-Lawrence, PhD candidate
Kenney Morris, BA 2019 Natalie Mayo, BA 2017
Cameron Blackmun, BFA 2020 Audry Goodwin, BA 2021
Katy Mitchell, BFA 2022 Joshua Servantez, BFA 2014
Laureen Karichu, BFA 2022 Zoey Steck, Theatre Minor, 2020
Gracie Wilson, BFA 2022 Lauren V. Miller, MFA 2018
Elliot Esquivel, BFA 2022 Gerardo Carreón, BFA 2020
Emily Swenskie, MFA 2022 Kate Dressler, BFA 2014
Jared Strange, MFA. 2014 &TCVPA staff Brook Barrett, BFA Acting Pursued 2014-
2014-2018 2017
Kevan Dunkelberg, MFA 2018 Stephen McClure, BFA 2012
Sarah Jackson, MFA 2022 Virginia McGuire, BA 2016
Ethan Beam, BA 2020 Margie Rodriguez, BFA 2021
Scott Ferrell, BFA 2015 Cara Ellison, BFA 2021
Anthony Burton, MFA 2018 David Hartley, BFA 2013
Lauren Robinson, BFA 2022 Jessica Garcia Mabray, BA 2017
Marla Britton-Johnson, PhD 2013 Rachel Campoli, BA 2017
Maddie Bryan, BFA 2019 Maria Albutra, BFA 2015
Lauren Lynch, MFA 2018 Reese Thompson, MFA 2018
Kylie Zweifel, BA 2019 Charlie Schwieterman, BA 2014
Joshua Barrett, BFA 2015 John Godoy, BA 2020
Mildrett Parsons, BFA 2009 Hunter Jones, BFA 2022
Joryhebel, BFA 2023 Michael Zak, BFA 2018
Michelle Benson, MFA 2019 Anna Ruth Aaron-DeSpain, BFA 2020
Ian Olsen, MFA 2021 Christie Connolly, MFA 2019
Shane Roberie, MFA 2009 Allison Roberts, MFA 2020
Michael Yarick, MFA 2021 Genevie Peterson, BFA 2020
Emily Sitton, BFA 2014 Stefanie Infante, BFA 2019
China Young, BFA 2010 Aubrey Tunnell, BA Pursued 2008-2011
Jordan Shaw, BFA 2017 Cedisha Pitts, BFA 2018
Francesca Breig, BA 2017 Erin Cawley, MA 2021
Garrett Dean Hollis, BA 2017 John Conner, MFA 2016
Abigail Bugh, MFA 2019 Steven Weatherbee, MFA 2021
Chloe Pope, BA 2020 Estevan Rivera BA 2020
Paul Kortemeier, MFA 2021
Sadie Nickerson, MFA 2021
Kaycee Patterson, BA 2016
Jarrett Hatcher, Music Education 2019
Anonymous Graduate Student
Anonymous Graduate Student
Anonymous Graduate Student
Anonymous Graduate Student.