Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1500164
1 3 0 P E R S P E C T I V E | M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 3 M I L E S T O N E S John Iacovelli 1959-2023 B Y T H O M A S A . WA L S H , P R O D U C T I O N D E S I G N E R A A. JOHN IACOVELLI. B. JOHN AT WORK IN HIS ATWATER VILLAGE STUDIO. It's easy enough to refer to John as a gentleman and a scholar but he was so much more. Dreamer, creator, professor, mentor, artist, gourmet, politician, facilitator, master of ceremonies, keeper of the flame, Bacchus and Dionysus, Pyramus and Thisbe, Sheridan Whiteside—The Man Who Came to Dinner and never left the party—John embodied all these characteristics and personas. Loved by most everyone, generous without fault, always one to find the common ground and turn the howling dogs into purring kittens. His capacity to listen, learn, absorb, multitask, lead or follow, had no equal. He applied all his creative energies toward anything and everything, plays, musicals, opera, dance, cinema, with wild abandon. Afraid of everything and nothing, he remains an inspiration to us all. A leading and passionately proud member of Locals 829 and 800, he gave back to these institutions far above his measure to his role as a public servant without any hesitation or regret. Throughout his career, John moved skillfully between working on stage and screen. Perhaps best known for his television work on series such as Babylon 5 and Lincoln Heights, John's true passion was designing for the theater, and his countless credits on productions in Los Angeles and beyond showed his belief that the play was always the thing! His abilities to realize his inspirations and aspirations took many forms and came to life in basements, barns, parks, theaters, distant locations or sound stages. Though proud and never lacking in opinions or honesty, his innate sense of decency and humanity were forever his North Star. We need more like John in our profession not less. Damn the gods for taking him far too soon! But like the great theater designer Jo Mielziner, John passed while working on a show. It's the best way to leave the stage for those who love what we do with others and not just for ourselves. John, you cannot be replaced but your legacy lives on and marches forward through the hundreds of young designers that you mentored, nurtured, inspired, harangued, tormented, and sent out into the world. There is a big piece of you in all of them. You will be forever loved and missed, but we know you will always be in the wings of our stages, load- ins, and performances with a smile and wink… bless you. For more information about John see these two superb articles in the LA Times. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/ story/2023-04-15/john-iacovelli-dead-set- designer-la-theater https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/ story/2020-02-06/this-is-the-house-that-john- built B