Wayne Beach

He was an enormous presence who cast a spell in the lives of many. He took drama seriously, while simultaneously making it fun. He had the gift of bringing together so many different personalities in the pursuit of putting on a show. Having to memorize lines, get onstage, and perform before an audience was a great equalizer. One that took down the barriers between different cliques and, as a result, we got to know peers we never thought we'd know. He inspired more than a few people to pursue a career in the performing arts, and gave permission to many more to take risks that helped them see what they were capable of. He was a formative figure in my life. 

I really enjoyed knowing Larry and stayed in touch with him (through Christmas cards) for many years. He was always supportive of my early filmmaking attempts and became the "star" of a couple of them. How many teachers would be willing to get up at 7 a.m. on their day off to show up at Lords Park in Elgin on the coldest day of the year to act in a student film? He had a great sense of humor.

Diana was a wonderful person and an inspiring teacher. She gave me permission to follow my creative instincts. In high school, I also considered her a model of maturity, and I admired her for the way that she maintained her artistic practice even as she was also teaching full-time.