Texas Tech University. Theatre

The Theatre program at Texas Tech began in 1925, as part of the Speech Division. The first official production was The Youngest performed May 4, 1928, in the school gym. Over the years the program has grown and expanded. In 1964, the University Theatre was built and in 1986 the addition of the laboratory theatre gave Tech its present Theatre facilities. In the Summer of 1967, the Theatre expanded its regular season to include a yearly Summer Repertory Theatre. Currently the students who participate in the Rep Theatre can get class credit, then follow the Theatre to Angel Fire, NM for paid theatre experience. It is now part of the Department of Theatre and Dance.

The Theatre program at Texas Tech began in 1925, as part of the Speech Division. The first official production was The Youngest performed May 4, 1928, in the school gym. Over the years the program has grown and expanded. In 1964 the University Theatre was built and in 1986 the addition of the laboratory theatre gave Tech its present Theatre facilities. In the Summer of 1967 the Theatre expanded its regular season to include a yearly Summer Repertory Theatre. Currently the students who participate in the Rep Theatre can get class credit, then follow the Theatre to Angel Fire, NM for paid theatre experience. It is now part of the Department of Theatre and Dance.

The Theatre program at Texas Tech began in 1925, as part of the Speech Division. The first official production was The Youngest performed May 4, 1928, in the school gym. Over the years the program has grown and expanded. In 1964 the University Theatre was built and in 1986 the addition of the laboratory theatre gave Tech its present Theatre facilities. In the Summer of 1967 the Theatre expanded its regular season to include a yearly Summer Repertory Theatre. Currently the students who participate in the Rep Theatre can get class credit, then follow the Theatre to Angel Fire, NM for paid theatre experience. It is now part of the Department of Theatre and Dance.

The Sock and Buskin Club was a theatrical club at Texas Tech from the beginning to the 1970s.

In 2001 and 2002, Peter Harris interviewed various persons associated with Texas Tech University Department of Theatre and Dance. He also donated older interviews, though the person doing the interviewing has not been identified. Individuals interviewed include:

Richard A. Weaver was a professor, department chair and director of the department from 1972-1997. During Weaver's tenure a department chair, several degree programs were created, including a theatre management program.

Professor George W. Sorensen directed more than 125 productions during his tenure at Texas Tech from 1976-1996. Sorensen also taught theatre arts at Abilene Cooper High School, Hardin Simmons University and Texas Christian University.

Norman A. Bert was chair of the theatre department from 1995-2001, and is currently still a professor there.

Dorothy (Rushing) Walton was part of the Texas Technological College class of 1932. In her oral history, she discusses the very earliest period of Theatre at Texas Tech, including profiles of Professors Ruth Pirtle and Annah Jo Pendleton, the first two directors of Speech, and anecdotes about plays presented by Sock and Buskin, a theatre organization set up in the first days of the college. Mrs. Walton was present when Texas Tech's location was first announced in 1923, and took part in a parade preceding the laying of the Administration Building cornerstone in 1924.

Thomas V. (Jeff) Coffey, class of 1942, and his wife, Kiti, were also members of Sock and Buskin. Their most important theatrical work was with The Varsity Show, a major student-produced variety show in 1941-1942.

Dr. Roland Myers was a theatre student from 1956 to 1965 and frequently participant in theatrical shows as actor, director, and designer.