WHO WE ARE
The mission of the Outside In Festival here in Lubbock is to showcase devised works through the fostering and presentation of both national and international artists. We serve as a bridge between these artists and audiences outside of the established artistic centers in order to expose more communities to non-traditional avenues of artistic expression.
Our objective is to bring different styles of theatrical conventions to the South Plains, establishing our festival as a premier national platform for devised theatre, bringing new audiences to the Lubbock area. In addition to the international artists, we are selecting local performers from the Lubbock area, as well as others from across the country to participate in the Outside In Festival.
Our objective for the Outside In Festival is to cultivate a collaboration between national and international artists in order to showcase new and exciting works and establish Lubbock as a leading destination for devised theatre. We will achieve this goal by bringing established artists from around the world to the festival and giving them a platform to expose their work to new audiences. By implementing the Over Het IJ model, we will strive to achieve similar results, bringing more cultural tourism and allowing the Lubbock community to experience other forms of entertainment and education.
MEET THE TEAM
CORY LAWSON
Artistic Director
JEHAN HORMAZDI
Executive Director
Jehan Hormazdi is arts administrator that serves as the Executive Director for the Outside In Festival where he oversees the long term planning, development, budgeting, and logistics of the annual festival. He is an MFA in Arts Administration and MBA candidate at Texas Tech University where he learned the many nuances of operating a nonprofit, from budgets and grants, to donor relations and advocacy. Jehan earned his BSc in Mechanical Engineering at the American University of Sharjah, U.A.E with a minor in theatre. He served various technical and management roles at his universities theatre during his time there. He currently serves as the Assistant Box Office manager at The School of Theatre and Dance at Tech. This festival serves as a bridge between these artists and audiences outside of the established artistic centers in order to expose more communities to non-traditional avenues of artistic expression.
Cory is an actor, director, fight choreographer and current PHD student in Interdisciplinary Fine Arts at Texas Tech University. He has created and performed in shows with the Dutch theatre company Orkater, in both Amsterdam and New York City. Cory has also created work with The Living Theatre and helped to found Ready Set Go Theatre, which created the world’s first Shakespeare Webisodes. He has also appeared in national commercials and various television episodes. Cory holds his MFA in acting from The New School for Drama and a BA in Theatre: Performance and Dramaturgy from Roanoke College. Currently, Cory serves as the Director of Theatre at The Wallace Theatre in Levelland Texas. Most recently, Cory Co-Founded and serves as the Artistic Director of The Outside In Festival, a new venue committed to the showcasing of devised works through the fostering and presentation of both national and international artists. www.CoryLawson.com
RACHEL PHILLIPS
Development & Marketing Director
Rachel Phillips is currently in second year as an MFA Arts Administration candidate at Texas Tech University, where she also serves as a research assistant in the J.T. and Margaret Talkington College of Visual and Performing Arts working on development and grant writing. Prior to coming to Lubbock, she attended the University of Missouri where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in theatre and a Bachelor of Journalism. She began her journey into arts administration while still an undergraduate student, serving as an administrative assistant for summer camps at First Act Theatre Arts and a PR intern for “We Always Swing” Jazz Series. Following her graduation, she began working with First Acts as the communications assistant and summer camp coordinator, eventually becoming the organization’s communications director. Since moving to Texas, she has continued her passion for working for arts organizations, including Texans for the Arts, WildWind Performance Lab, and now the Outside In Festival. She is excited to help this festival establish its roots here in Lubbock, bringing together top-class talent from across the globe and incredible Lubbock artists to create a unique artistic experience for our community.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We are so thankful for our amazing Board and all of the hard work they have put in to making this festival a success!
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DORI BOSNYAK
President
Lead Administrator - Presidential Lecture and Performance Series - Texas Tech University
KELSIE JACKSON
Vice President
Grants, Research, and Innovation Coordinator - Texas Tech University - J.T. and Margaret Talkington College of Visual and Performing Arts
MIGUEL (MICHAEL) CERVANTES
Treasurer
Business Coordinator - Texas Tech University - School of Theatre and Dance
ANNA HOGAN
Board Member
Artistic Director - The Wallace Theater Company
CHAD PLUNKET
Board Member
Director - Charles Adams Studio Project
SETH WARREN-CROW
Board Member
Associate Professor - Texas Tech University - School of Theatre and Dance
ADVISORS
Committee and Community Members
DR. LINDA DONAHUE
Head of Arts Administration
Texas Tech University
School of Theatre & Dance
(retired)
REBECCA GILMAN
Playwright
Head of Playwrighting
Texas Tech University
School of Theatre & Dance
(retired)
SIMONE HOGENDIJK
Artistic Director
Over Het IJ Festival
Amsterdam
MELISSA GRIMES
Principal/President
Studio West Interior Design
Lubbock, TX
If you are interested in working with the Outside In Festival in any capacity, please don't hesitate to reach out to us!