Rhiannon Mim

The theater arts department held a roast for Jane Dibbell, associate professor of theater arts, in honor of her retirement after more than 20 years of teaching at the University of La Verne. Many alumni, colleagues and friends joined Dibbell in the Cabaret Theatre Sept. 21 to share their memories of her both on and off the stage. President Stephen Morgan also announced the renaming of the Cabaret Theatre as the Jane Dibbell Cabaret Theatre.

Laura Bucio
News Editor

Red and purple ribbons were streamed across the walls of the Cabaret Theatre, Sept. 21 when approximately 50 University of La Verne students, faculty and administrators gathered to share memories, jokes and embarrassing stories about Jane Dibbell, associate professor of theater arts, who retired this summer after more than 20 years on faculty.

Old students had the chance to say goodbye and new students had the chance to meet Dibbell as she sat in the roasting seat “For the Spectacular Jane Dibbell.”

“It was a wonderful, well-deserved tribute to someone who has been a colleague and friend,” said David Flaten, professor of theater arts and department chair. “She didn’t want a tearful departure.”

Some people laughed as they remembered and others laughed at having the opportunity to know things about Dibbell they never imagined.

Lifetime friends told funny stories about Dibbell. A few of the stories told of one instance when she threw a zucchini at a man who didn’t give her son the lead role in a play, and how despite her love of theater, there was more than one instance when she fell asleep though plays.

Others made fun of her peaceful nature, and shared the top 10 “Janeisms” like, “breathe” and “trust the universe.”

Faculty also joined the roasting.

And even President Stephen Morgan did a little roasting of his own and made a surprising announcement.

“I hereby declare today that this is known as the Jane Dibbell Cabaret Theatre.” Morgan said. “Jane Dibbell owns the Cabaret Theatre, it is her’s, she has us all in the palm of her hand.”

Dibbell has left a permanent imprint in the minds of students and the Cabaret Theatre itself.

The Cabaret Theatre will now bare Dibbell’s name to honor the years she has contributed to the University.

Besides her work for ULV students, Dibbell created several programs to get the community of La Verne involved in theater.

Some programs included, “Stories Alive” for which students at ULV would act stories written by children from the elementary schools of the surrounding area.

Perhaps one of the most memorable programs was the reading of “Wit,” written by Margaret Edson, that Dibbell performed while being treated for cancer.

“She supported so many students and colleagues in times of need,” Flaten said. “It was important for her to see how loved she is.”

Students were thankful to have had the opportunity to meet her and work with her.

“She is a very lovely, lovely person,” said Melvin S. Ward, a senior theater arts major. “A very lovely human being.”

Even those who have not had an opportunity to share much time with Dibbell recognized her essence.

“I can tell coming into the department, what is lost with Jane leaving,” said Sean Dillon, assistant professor of theater arts who is taking over some of the classes Dibbell taught.

“She loves what she does and you can’t help love what you’re doing when you’re working with her,” he added.

Laura Bucio can be reached at lbucio@ulv.edu.