James D. Thornton

James Thornton, 67, Founder of the Shaker Heights High School Theatre Arts Program, was born to Lawrence and Opal (Ross) Thornton in Akron, Ohio. He grew up excelling in theatre and choir while developing a strong interest in the natural world. A lifetime resident of Northeast Ohio, James began his teaching career at Jackson Memorial High School in the fall of 1966. In the early 1970's James founded Kent Acting and Touring Company, an organization sustained by local patrons as well as the Ohio Arts Council. KATC fostered a vibrant community composed of performers, artists, and teachers of varying disciplines and talents including musicians, poets, visual artists and intellectuals. This community laid the groundwork for relationships that would last his entire life. James sought transformation of people and spaces, and alongside his wife Pauline, they created Yellow Barn Workshops at their farm in Franklin Township. Through numerous renovations and landscape projects, the farm has become a center for family, friends, students and artists.

In the fall of 1980, James began developing the Shaker Heights High School Theatre Arts Program, a truly unique environment that developed countless students influenced by his movement theater technique and ensemble training. While widely recognized for his nationally renowned program by Northern Ohio Live, Young Audiences and the Governors Award for the Arts, it is the many students whose lives were permanently impacted by his philosophy and practice that are a testament to his genius as a teacher.

James is survived by his wife and lifetime partner, Pauline (Harold) Thornton; son Matthew (Alicia Diaz) Thornton, daughter Leah (Michael McGovern) Thornton; sister Beulah (Robert) Swope; brother in law Timothy (Rebecca) Harold, and beloved grandchildren, Jamie Ann McGovern, John Paul McGovern, and Laila Maritza Thornton-Diaz. He was preceded in death by his brother, Lawrence Thornton Jr..

A memorial service in James' honor will be held on March 31, 2 p.m. at the Shaker Heights High School Auditorium. Contributions in James' memory to benefit the Shaker Theatre Department can be made to the Shaker Schools Foundation, 15600 Parkland Dr., Shaker Heights Ohio, 44120.