Way back, like when dinosaurs ruled the earth, I was in high school. I was not your typical child of the time. I had a thing for cars, fast cars, muscle cars, hot rods and always spent time wondering how things worked. What was behind everything that made it tick. I took wood shop in middle school and built a bookcase that I actually still have today (not that impressive, its plywood screwed together) I took a drafting class that I really enjoyed and got into drawing house plans. I took a small engine repair class which I learned a lot in. You would think with all these opportunities I would have realized potential earlier in life, and yet I didnt, but that is another story.
During my time in High School, the school I went to started offering a "technical theater" class. It was basically a class where they had the students build the sets and such for the plays that were going on. But we also created lighting plans for the shows, setup and ran all the audio, etc. Many of the people in the class were "actors" who thought it would be a good class to take and get them out of other things, so they were not that handy or that helpful. I would have to say this class was a life changing class for me. I ended up being involved in it more and more and even quit band for my senior year because my band director booted me out of varsity band (which I made as a freshman) because of my involvement in the theatre. To tell you how much of a tool type person I have always been, I still remember the Craftsman 10" radial arm saw we cut EVERYTHING on in that shop. Crosscut, rip, small wood, large wood, didnt matter. We cut it all with that tool. It scared the crap out of Jones and she was always worried about who was using it.
Jones, yes well thats the point of this isnt it. The woman behind all of this was named Jan Jones. We called her Jones. She was a woman with a rough exterior who pulled no punches. She told you how it was and did not care about your feelings. It was a good chance for people to grow up and be treated like adults. She had many years of experience and was the type of theatre professional that could pull off a major production with half a can of paint, a 2x4 and a flashlight. Her creativity and resourcefulness had no boundaries.
An interesting time that I remember from my senior year. I was a student assistant or tech for Jones for her drama class as one of my electives (since I had dumped band) and she gave a project out for the "actors" to complete. One of the "actors" that I thought was one of her favorites did this really artsy type project that I just didnt get (but that wasnt anything new) and I just figured it was me and that I didnt get all the artsy things. Jones said to me, somewhat under her breath, "some people just dont get it" That was one of the days I realized just how down to earth she was.
Why do I bring this up? She passed away yesterday, and I have to say, the world should be saddened to have lost her
Here is a link to a blog someone else wrote about Jones that my sister sent my way
15-things-i-learned-from-jan-jones
Jones will be missed, and I feel bad for the next set of students to come through that school who will miss what she could have provided them
UPDATE! - obit..
http://obituaries.tylerpaper.com/obituaries/tylerpaper/obituary.aspx?n=jan-e-jones&pid=153511616
DD
No comments:
Post a Comment