I’ve known James for years. His first two decades, he was called Jamie, and it’s taken me forever to think of that once adorable toddler as James. I remember as a young child, Jamie had the biggest, deepest brown eyes that peered out from dark lashes and shaggy bangs. When we talked during walks in the woods or while sitting in the backseat of the car,
he would turn up his face and look into my eyes. He asked me so many questions. I was always struck by the breadth of things he “wondered" about.
James never lost his curiosity, his ability to ask questions, or his expectation to learn from his friends' and colleagues’ responses.
Two summers ago, James and his dear friend, Luisa, lived in my house while directing a play in Buffalo. It was a complicated play set in some of the original ruins of the Erie Canal. The weather was tricky, and there were a few unreliable deadbeats in the cast. James, Luisa and I spent many hot summer rehearsal nights on my front porch eating "take out " while discussing the most recent “ challenges” of the day. James would look me in the eye and ask what I thought about a certain scene or song or dance. He was interested in my opinions and believed I had something of import to add to the discussion. I witnessed him demonstrate this questioning, inclusive quality with his actors, as well. He was a strong, passionate director who harbored no fear of sharing the growth and shape of the production. During rehearsals, he would squat down on his haunches surrounded by the cast and pose probing questions, aways expecting and listening to their input. There was a fierceness about his work. He was demanding, while at the same time able to respectfully include everyone in the process of bringing the production to life.
I learned a lot from James that summer. Never have I witnessed such passion and tenacity. He was determined to make that play with it’s crazy cast a success. And, of course, using his marvelous ability to tease ideas out of his team and incorporate them into the plan, he did it.
I love James, and still covet the Tree of Life earrings he and Luisa gave me at the end of the summer. Although James is no longer on Earth, he will always be part of the Tree of Life which is with us forever.
Cricket Gordon