In memory of our dear friend and colleague, Jane Pesci-Townsend

Dori Legg, Carolyn Griffin and Jane Pesci-Townsend

I worked with Jane as an actor (Parallel Lives, 1994) and as a director (Last Five Years, 2004)— I only wish I had witnessed her as a teacher/mentor/friend and colleague for the thousands of students at Catholic University who will carry on her spirit and artistry and life lessons for generations to come. Jane was truly the most honest, authentic, genuine, generous --- there are simply not enough adjectives to describe her --- artist and, more importantly, person we will ever have the privilege of knowing. She was the funniest and the most heart-breaking— whether she was acting or singing or just being Jane --- which only comes from a place of absolute honesty and vulnerability. The loss for her friends, colleagues and students is immeasurable, but we can all be thankful that we knew her because her beauty and talent will live with us in our daily lives, in our art, and on the stage and will influence generations to come.

Carolyn Griffin
Producing Artistic Director