You’ve read about my beloved theatre professor, Jim Cavanaugh, many times throughout the years on these pages. I graduated from college decades ago, and he is still an active cheerleader and mentor for me. Hardly a post of mine goes online without a comment from Jim. It means so much to me to have his acknowledgment and praise.

A couple of years back, Jim flew to NYC to visit his son, see plays, and get together with former students and associates from the summer theatre he established in 1970. Although he’d planned another trip this spring, he was not able to travel this time. A few of my theatre buds made the brilliant decision to bring the group to him. The Texas Caper was born.

When your working population consists of producers, directors and actors (I was a designer), you are guaranteed a well-executed event and remarkable story telling. I received a 4-page, single-spaced agenda outlining meals, hotel info, attire and timetable for our two days with Jim.

See if you can match up the people above with their younger selves.

Included was a request for my t-shirt size. The summer theatre logo that I designed was the centerpiece of our get-ups. Not to mention masks!

It was a blast! We shared several meals together, visited Jim at his lovely home which is entirely decorated with Mount Holyoke College theatre memorabilia. He even saved a thank you note I’d written him after our first production together–Caucasian Chalk Circle–for which I’d designed the logo and props (over 100). I wanted to let him know how much his presence meant to me. He arrived my senior year and changed everything, particularly my outlook on creativity.

“Now I know what all the work is for and whom to thank–you–for coming to Mount Holyoke.”

Last week, we all thanked him again. Reunions are extraordinary. If you have the opportunity, attend yours.