After a journey spanning nearly 40 years, Jane A. Farris concluded her distinguished career in 2020 as a faculty member in the theater department at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas. During her tenure there, she was instrumental in shaping the school’s renowned theater program, teaching classes in miming, movement, acting and directing. While affiliated with Booker T. Washington High School, Ms. Farris directed approximately 10 major productions. She built a reputation for integrating mime into her performances and curriculum, fostering a unique environment where students could explore the expressive power of nonverbal communication.
Alongside her long-standing role with Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Ms. Farris established herself as a leader in performing arts through her work as owner of Mime on Stage. This company became her most notable achievement as she engaged in extensive community outreach. Ms. Farris produced two full-scale mime productions annually, including complex interpretations of such literary works as “Wuthering Heights” and “The Velveteen Rabbit,” accompanied by music that enhanced the emotional depth of each scene. Through Mime on Stage, she advanced the art of mime and provided meaningful cultural experiences to diverse audiences.
Ms. Farris’ approach to teaching was shaped by lessons learned throughout her professional life. She often expressed herself through gestures to enhance her clarity and learned not to take offense when working with teenagers. That ability to maintain a lighthearted perspective set Ms. Farris apart from others in the field. She values humor and resilience, believing that finding joy in mistakes is essential for growth.
Seeking a strong foundation for her future achievements, Ms. Farris pursued higher education. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in theater from Texas State University in 1973. Subsequently, Ms. Farris earned a Master of Arts in theater through the Dallas Theater Center and Trinity University. During her graduate studies, she was required to take a mime course that sparked her lifelong passion for the art form. She went on to form a group that performed mime shows at elementary schools.
Throughout her career, Ms. Farris has received numerous accolades, including a grant that supported her mime troupe’s activities. She is also a member of the CERNA Fellowship, which has provided her with opportunities to travel and collaborate with other artists on mask-making projects. Ms. Farris’ participation in this fellowship stands out as a career highlight. She worked closely with students on mask-making techniques that emphasized communication through body language.
Beyond her professional commitments, Ms. Farris has remained civically engaged. She directed several seasons of mime shows at a downtown church, contributing to the cultural life of Dallas. Even after retiring from full-time teaching, Ms. Farris has continued to contribute to the school community. She has taught a commedia dell’arte class for four years and conducts auditions for incoming eighth-grade students.
Looking back on her time as faculty at Booker T. Washington High School, Ms. Farris values the impact she made on generations of students, many of whom have stayed in touch with her long after graduation. Her legacy is defined by her dedication to arts education, innovative contributions to mime performance and unwavering commitment to nurturing creativity among young people.