To leave a lasting legacy at a flagship university is no small feat, but that’s what HopKins Black Box Theatre manager and communication studies professor John LeBret was able to do in his time at the University.
During his 42 years of life, LeBret opened people’s eyes to all sorts of creative possibilities and gained the respect and love of his students and colleagues. After his death March 11 after complications from pneumonia, those close to LeBret remember all they’ve learned from him and the effect he had on them that will never be forgotten.
Performance studies instructor Bonny McDonald worked with LeBret, and he often helped her with Black Box productions. She said he was a model and a mentor to her when it came to putting her own shows together.
“John’s style is very subtle and artistic, and my interest as an artist is to address political and social issues,” McDonald said. “Sometimes, it’s hard to make political issues artistic, but John really helped me.”
For her latest show, “Racy,” McDonald credits LeBret’s influence for being comfortable enough to tackle the topic of racism in a subtle and expressive way.
Now, when doing productions in the Black Box, McDonald said she often wonders, “Would John like this?” and “Would this be too cheesy for John?”
As the Black Box manager, he had a vision for everything from the staging to the lights, which McDonald said she will carry on with future endeavors.
LeBret’s artistic vision also affected performance studies graduate student Cynthia Sampson, who worked with him as a cast member in last semester’s “On a Snowy Evening,” which LeBret directed.
His creative mind is something Sampson said she will never forget.
“One of the really cool things about John is he was really great at taking whatever you had and making something really interesting out of it,” Sampson said.
For the show, LeBret, Sampson and the rest of the cast spent a great deal of time thinking about how to make the sound of snow using materials they already had or could easily obtain. He tested their creativity in trying to come up with inexpensive ways to make the sound of snow and other ambient noise.
Sampson said this creative challenge was important for her as a performer, as LeBret was helping her to become more inventive.
Being around LeBret and his wild imagination was important to Sampson, but what she said she’ll remember the most is his smile.
“He just had this really adorable little grin,” Sampson said. “The running joke we had for the show in the fall is that everything was ‘delightful,’ and now any time I use the word or hear it, I think about John and his smile.”
LeBret’s impact on the department has been huge. Sampson said students followed him from semester to semester and from class to class because they loved the way he was engaging as a teacher.
Part of the reason he was so loved, Sampson said, was the way he was able to connect with his students and co-workers, always making time for them. He was able to relate to them, not only professionally, but on a personal level
as well.
“Even if you haven’t talked in a month, he would still be like, ‘You know I’ve been thinking about you. We should talk,’” Sampson said. “Just knowing someone was thinking about me was really great.”
LeBret’s influence and ability to connect with students wasn’t confined to a classroom. He also managed to have an impact outside of the Black Box.
Communication studies senior Janae’ London became a mother at 17 years old, something she was always hesitant to tell people. She said she was afraid of being stereotyped and fearful of what people would think. After taking one of his classes, LeBret made her feel more comfortable about her situation.
“He taught me not to be apologetic for being who I am,” London said. “As I was looking at my daughter this morning, I thought about how John made it cool to be a mom.”
London said the major mark LeBret left on the department was teaching people that making mistakes is a part of what makes a person who they are. He taught students to be themselves and not to be afraid of putting themselves out there. LeBret’s motto was “It’s okay to play,” and they did so every class.
“The very first day of class he gave us invisible dogs, and I knew from then it would be a wild ride,” London said. “It’s crazy not having him here now.”
For London, LeBret’s importance can never be underestimated. She said he established irreplaceable relationships with his students and colleagues and opened their eyes and minds.
There will be an official tribute to LeBret in the HopKins Black Box Theatre in fall 2015.
You can reach Kayla Randall on Twitter @kay_ran21.
LSU professor John Lebret teaches Communication Studies 3900 in the Black Box Theatre where students build their own puppets and discuss puppet theory.
