Reader Responses to “That Changed Everything”

Thank you for the wonderful obituary on theater director Jim Barnhill, which captures how much he cared about students, and how he expanded theater not only at Brown, but also locally. While former students are mentioned, one of his great accomplishments was working with the young John .F Kennedy, Jr. One day, I mentioned to our neighbor Jim that it was interesting that John was in his acting class. I saw Jim’s mind working and the next thing I knew Kennedy was starring in a Brown play. By the time I tried to get tickets, they were sold out. Jackie of course discouraged this as a career path, but I’m sure Jim helped John in many ways, as he did for so many students whom he loved working with.

Christina Haag’s Farewell to Jim Barnhill combined perceptive and sensitive observations with beautiful writing. She captured and let us see a true, rare giant. Loved the last graf. Thank you so much.

Christina Haag’s moving Farewell essay, “That Changed Everything” on Professor James O. Barnhill is a fitting tribute to one of the most fascinating members of the Brown faculty even when I was an undergraduate student there. I wish to point out, however, that in her list of star Barnhill alumni/ae one is conspicuously missing, owing undoubtedly to the fact that he graduated 18 years prior to Ms. Haag’s matriculation.Will MacKenzie ’60, a Providence native and an early Barnhill protege, nearly flunked out of Brown because of his immersion in the University’s production company, Sock & Buskin. He went on to play multiple roles on Broadway before turning to TV acting and directing at the age of 38. Now, at age 83, Will continues to add credits to his long and distinguished career.