A Conversation With...
Dr. J. Don Luna

Q: Where did you grow up and how did you get here, (A&M-CC)?

A: I’m from a poor family in a small farming town in Mississippi. Although I worked in the fields from the age of 5, I started working after school at 13. I have an older brother, younger brother, and a twin sister. I graduated from high school at age 17 and attended Northeast Mississippi Junior College but I dropped out of school for the next six years. I became addicted to drugs and witnessed the drug-related suicides of three of my best friends. That was a very dark period in my life. Having gone through this, I have a great compassion for people who think they have to use drugs and feel that they can’t live drug free. As a matter of fact, that’s one of the reasons I’m an educator today. I feel that I’ve got to give back to society. When I got my life back on track, I moved to Memphis and graduated in 1980. I began to substitute teach when I moved to Phoenix and fell in love with teaching. I didn’t find teaching - it found me. I taught high school for four years and then decided I wanted to teach at the University level. It was at the University of Arizona that I received my M.F.A., a Masters of Fine Arts, which is a degree in Acting and Directing. It was a three-year program and I completed the program in two years. From 1990 to 1994, I was teaching at ASU, Arizona State University West, with the most incredible artists from all over the world. Then, I came to Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi. I began working here in 1994, the same year this institution took in it’s first freshman class.

Q: What motivates you and has helped you become who you are today?

A: There are two things that motivate me. One, I HAVE TO GIVE BACK TO THE WORLD. I took so much, and now that my life has changed for the better, I’ve just got to give back in a positive way. Two, I truly believe that one person can make a difference and I sincerely want to do that. I want to make things different, better. I believe that art and especially theatre can do that.

Q: What makes you passionate about your field and teaching students?

A: My passion is that I LOVE TO TEACH, DIRECT, and ACT. All these things keep me passionate about my work. There is that “ah ha” moment when someone understands something or a moment of creation occurs. I live for that in myself and to be privileged enough to witness it in others..

Q: What course(s) are your favorite to teach?

A: My favorite courses to teach are all the performance courses. I truly enjoy teaching the “acting” course for non-majors. Students have a very different idea about what that course is going to be like. Often times they don’t realize that to be an actor you have to be a good person. You have to stay focused, be strong-willed, articulate, and intelligent. You also have to have good concentration, have an investigative mind, and deal with both verbal and non-verbal communication. I teach the course for everyone, regardless of his or her degree of “talent”. The course is more the exploration of the self.

Q: What co-curricular activities are you involved in, and how can students become involved with you in those activities?

A: Students can become involved in Theatre Productions, both on and off stage at the University Theatre. They can call me at 825-5988 to learn more about the Theatre on campus. Also, I’m developing the downtown theatre, Antelope Performance and Art Space. This is a new venue that presents experimental and non-traditional works. They can call 882-0778 for more information on upcoming productions.

Q: Outside of TAMUCC, what extracurricular activities are you involved in; what do you do for fun?

A: I like doing projects. A project I’m working on right now is redesigning my kitchen. My entire kitchen will be galvanized steel. I have an old 1938 stove and refrigerator, matching set. I like working on my car, (a 1997 Z3 convertible, and my 1994 Ford Ranger pick up truck), walking along the beach, movies both at home and out, and finally, I work out (exercise) at least 3 times a week.

Q: Who inspired you the most or had the greatest impact during your collegiate experience which directed you to your field of study?

A: Dick Hansen, my faculty advisor during graduate school had the greatest impact on me. He knew when to praise, when to criticize, and when to use silence to motivate.

Q: What is your greatest achievement and whom do you attribute this to?

A: I have two categories for achievements, personal and academics. On a personal level, I’d have to say I’ve been an incredibly lucky person to be in the right place, right time to help people. At age 11, I saved my twin sister and a cousin from drowning; I also pulled a woman from a swollen creek in the Grand Canyon. She was being swept away by the current and was barely hanging on a bridge wire and I jumped in and helped her out. Three years ago there was a fire in my apartment complex. I ran back into the building and helped four people out. It’s all about being in the right place at the right time, not being afraid to walk the path. If God will show me the path, I’ll walk it. Academically, at age 36, I went back to graduate school and received my Masters in Fine Arts, which I consider an achievement. Never give up!

Q: What question does the study of Theatre Art attempt to answer?

A: What is the nature of Art and why we (as social beings) need it. I feel that art not only helps us to know who we are and why we’re here but it holds a mirror to nature, makes the unknown – known, the untouchable – touchable, and the unseen – seen. It helps us to understand the universal nature in all of us. Art moves us forward in our evolution as better beings.

Q: Wouldn’t be caught dead wearing?

A: I’m in theatre and I’ve worn just about everything! I’m not a “fashion hound”. If I’m comfortable in it, I’ll wear it!