Corey Ranson has been involved in theater since the first time he chased a girl into a drama class. Decades later, Ranson is the associate professor of theater and director of the theater program and has been building up its reputation since he arrived at Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2008.
The practical application of theater is performance. Typically the director of theater oversees the work being done in his or her department, but because TAMUK’s theater department is extremely limited in staff and has a small number of theater students, Ranson’s position is loaded with more than what is usual.
“Typically as a director of theater, you’re not as busy as I am…it’s fun, it’s not ideal, but that’s just where we are right now and we’re working on growing,” Ranson said.
Ranson is responsible for all the theater activity at TAMUK, teaches, performs scholarly activities, does research and works with the university as any associate professor would; but Ranson also chooses the season, directs at least one production a semester, designs the shows, oversees building construction, writes some of the plays performed by TAMUK students and is mentor to Alpha Psi Omega, the theater honor society.
On top of all that, he is in the process of bringing back something many students have been desiring: a Bachelors in Fine Arts in Theater and Film. When Ranson first arrived at TAMUK in 2008, there was such a major, but over the years through decisions made by the state, it was lost and Ranson believes the students deserve to have it again.
“It’s important because it helps the students get better chances in internships and in graduate studies,” Ranson said. “We spend a lot of time trying to educate our colleagues and our community on how the industry works.”
If students have an interest or desire to be in theater, the more students there are pushing for what they want, the faster they will get it. TAMUK may have few theater students, but they have an energy and strength that cannot be denied.
“The hope is we are adding and changing things for people to create better opportunities for students, because when you have great theater experiences you just don’t want to stop and it can be a career,” Ranson said.
In his youth, Ranson was constantly doing art work. Ranson would go to one of his high school teacher’s home studio, along with a friend, and work on various projects. Ranson also was a drummer in a band and was part of UIL performances.
Not receiving a good foundation in high school to perform, Ranson first went to a junior college to “catch up” with the others.
Just as most start in the theater industry, Ranson started as an actor, but he personally preferred the direction side.
“I always found myself having a better idea in my own mind about things and so in undergraduate school I took on a lot of directing and design work,” Ranson said.
Ranson’s childhood experience in an ill-supported UIL organization seems to be a foundation for his own mantra of life.
“I spent my life re-educating either colleagues or the community and students…about what it takes to put on a show,” Ranson said.
Spending over two decades in the theater world, Ranson makes a great effort to bring to light what theater truly is.
“People spend more money on a concert ticket than they will on their mother’s surgery. Who do you think runs that concert? A lighting designer, a set designer from theater created that,” Ranson said.
“When you’re looking at the entertainment industry we don’t think much of it because we’re so used to just seeing the final product, but when you see what goes into it you’re shocked.”
Even Ranson’s personal life reflects his feelings about theater. The girl Ranson chased into a drama class, which started it all for him? She eventually became his wife, and they’ve been married for 24 years.
“Life is very short, you never know how long you’re going to be here. Can you not wait for the weekend, or can you not wait until you go back to it?” Ranson said.