Thanks for sharing this, Casey. I'm eager to read this issue. I didn't know James as well as many on this thread, but I liked him immensely. He made me feel so welcome the last time I was at Winedale. I always felt that the program was in good hands with him, and I'm sad at both the personal loss and the program's loss. Laurel's quote from Romeo and Juliet about James was perfectly on point - even I, with my limited knowledge of James, could see that. What a great soul. Amy Carreon Oberst (summer 1989)
On Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 08:52:02 AM EDT, Casey Caldwell w.casey.caldwell@gmail.com wrote:
Hi, family, a short note on the issue of The Hare: I organized this when I learned of James's diagnosis and it features reflections from one of James's first students (Carra), a now director of an MFA program with similar values to Winedale (Matt), Paul Woodruff (who shares memories of James as his student (!) and notes from years of Winedale summers), and myself. James had the chance to read the issue before it went to virtual presses and shared his reflections on it and Winedale more generally. It is characteristically self-effacing but that self shines through all the more brightly for it. Link to the issue is here: https://thehareonline.com/
I love James, I miss him, and I grieve with you. All my love, Casey On Thu, Sep 21, 2023 at 7:11 AM Joshua Eveleth joshua.eveleth@gmail.com wrote:
James was my primary thesis advisor (at Doc’s wise counsel). His gentle, thoughtful, thorough guidance helped me steer my incoherent thoughts into a readable, defensible argument. I’ll miss him.
Josh
On Wed, Sep 20, 2023 at 20:37 Anne Engelking Smith ankleking@gmail.com wrote:
Adding my voice to echo here. I’ve also not had the words that I felt were quite right. With Heather and Doc’s invitation, I now add my words and loving thoughts in memory of James. I always found him gentle, heartfelt, yet powerful and empowered. It is a tribute indeed to read all the thoughts here. We few, we happy few. Indeed. With love, Anne
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 20, 2023, at 12:15 AM, 'Alice Gordon' via Shakespeare at Winedale Email List shakespeare-at-winedale-email-list@googlegroups.com wrote:
Thank you both, Heather and Doc, for this call and response. It’s a gift.
Love,Alice
On Sep 19, 2023, at 3:14 PM, James Ayres jayres@cvctx.com wrote: Thank you, Heather. Your letter prompted this: by John Donne No man is an island, Entire of itself. Each is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manor of thine own Or of thine friend's were. Each man's death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind.
On Sep 19, 2023, at 1:07 PM, Heather Dolstra heather@democracytravel.com wrote: Dearest Doc, I have struggled for the past 4 days with such sadness over this news and didn’t know what to do with that feeling, considering that I never met James. It didn’t even seem right to join in with my own message of condolence. However, it occurred to me that in the theatre, as in all art, we may not “know” the actor, performer, or artist but that doesn’t mean that we are not profoundly moved by their existence. In reading all the lovely messages from Ancianos (and those of more recent vintage) I realize that the Winedale family is like a big pool and everything that happens to one of us creates a ripple that is felt by all. A palpable loss to those of you who had known James for years is also a loss felt by those of us who passed through prior to his arrival on the Winedale stage. With much love to all, Heather Dolstra From: James Ayres jayres@cvctx.com Sent: Friday, September 15, 2023 7:05 PM To: Shakespeare at Winedale 1970-2000 alums winedale-l@lists.wikimedia.org; Shakespeare Winedale shakespeare-at-winedale-email-list@googlegroups.com Subject: [Winedale-l] James Loehlin After a lengthy and bold struggle with pancreatic cancer, James has passed away. We have lost a brilliant colleague, scholar, actor, director, student, and kind friend. He loved Shakespeare, teaching, and all of his students. And he loved the barn at Winedale. This is a very sad time. Please keep Laurel in your thoughts and prayers. Peace and love to every one of you. Love, Doc Jim (Doc) AyresProfessor Emeritus, The University of TexasFounding Director, Shakespeare at Winedale and Camp ShakespeareDirector of Mission, Camp Shakespeare
Jim (Doc) AyresProfessor Emeritus, The University of TexasFounding Director, Shakespeare at Winedale and Camp ShakespeareDirector of Mission, Camp Shakespeare