Dr. Lisa B. Thompson

Setting the Stage: Dr. Lisa B. Thompson on theater, pursuing joy, and “Black Austin Matters” podcast 

By Jacqueline Magno | Social Media Intern

June 10, 2022

 

When Lisa B. Thompson began her studies at University of California, Los Angeles, she never expected to turn her passion for the performing arts into a full-time job. 

“I began my studies as an English major and was curious about theater, but I was hesitant,” Dr. Thompson shared. “As a first-generation college student, I thought I couldn’t pursue my passion for the arts because I wanted to have a financially stable life. I eventually pursued becoming a scholar, which was another one of my passions, but I feel so blessed to now be involved in both scholarly and creative work today.” 

Having earned her master’s degree in African-American/Black Studies from UCLA and her doctorate degree in Philosophy, Modern Thought & Literature from Stanford, Dr. Thompson now wears many hats in her professional day-to-day. She currently serves as the Bobby and Sherri Patton Professor of African & African Diaspora Studies; she works as the Advisor to the Dean for Faculty Mentoring and Support in the College of Liberal Arts. She even makes time to pursue her own creative work in the performing arts and beyond. 

“Every day looks different,” Dr. Thompson admitted when asked about her typical workday. “I usually eat a healthy breakfast of steel cut oats to keep me fueled. I grade papers; I check in with graduate students to see how they’re doing with their dissertations. I take time out of my day to work on my own writing projects.” 

Thus far, Dr. Thompson has written several satirical and dramatic plays about the Black experience in America, including The Mamalogues, Monroe, Mother's Day, and Single Black Female as well as the political thriller Underground. She attributes her passion as a playwright to the joy she feels witnessing and creating live theater. 

“I’m the kind of person who loves sitting in the theater alongside people I don’t know, watching a performance unfold. It’s like magic to me,” Dr. Thompson shared. “It’s also wonderful to work with actors, directors, set designers, and lighting technicians – all of whom are all experts in their field and help bring your vision to life.” 

Beyond her work in the theater, Dr. Thompson is also making bold strides in the field of audio production. She currently co-hosts "Black Austin Matters," a KUT & KUTX Studios podcast highlighting the Black community and Black culture in Central Texas. 

“My colleague and co-host Professor Richard Reddick wrote a Tweet the day the Black Austin Matters mural was painted downtown. He said that we should have more conversations about what it’s like to be Black in Austin,” Dr. Thompson explained. “Later that day, I responded to his Tweet saying that we absolutely should. I tagged KUT, and the rest was history.” 

In producing "Black Austin Matters," Dr. Thompson hopes to showcase the diversity of the Black community in Austin. 

“It has been really exciting for us to interview people of different faiths, sexualities, genders, and backgrounds. We want to capture the complexity and wholeness of Black folks in Austin and instill this idea that our community is not a monolith, but a mosaic.” 

Dr. Thompson attributes her success in academia and the creative industry to her family members, all of whom have supported her throughout her professional pursuits. 

“I went to an event recently celebrating Black women in Austin, and I wore my mother’s pearls, my grandmother’s clutch purse, and a bracelet my son gifted to me. Those people – alongside my siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles – are all integral to my life. They are etched onto my heart, and I bring them with me wherever I go.” 

As an experienced educator, Dr. Thompson encourages students in the College of Liberal Arts to pursue the activities and fields of study that bring them joy. 

“You know in your heart what makes you joyful, so pursue that. Don’t pursue a certain career based on what you’ll gain from it financially, because if you are living your joy, you’ll draw people towards you, you’ll be in your purpose, and the accolades and rewards – financial or otherwise – will come.” 

She also advises students to uplift and support their peers whenever possible.  

“When I was a freshman at UCLA, we were told to look to our left and to our right – because not everyone was going to be here come graduation. And I thought, ‘What a horrible message to tell people.’ But it was true; a lot of students dropped out,” she recalled. “It’s like going to a party by yourself, and that’s not it. I want life to be a party where everybody has something to eat and drink – so when thinking about the work you want to pursue, think about how it can help the collective. Make sure the people to your left, to your right, and even behind you make it as well.” 

You can listen to "Black Austin Matters" by visiting the NPR website. To learn more about Dr. Thompson, you can visit her website.