In Memory of Julianna Saxton

When Hong Kong hosted the IDEA World Congress in 2007, one of my students attending the conference shared with me her awe: she felt as though she was seeing ‘walking books’ come to life. She was amazed to find the great authors of the books she had studied walking around and sitting beside her in seminar halls. Her experience reminded me how special it is to work in a field still young enough that we can meet the authors of our seminal texts in person.

I first encountered Julianna Saxton through the book she co-authored with Norah Morgan, Teaching Drama: A Mind of Many Wonders. As a new drama educator, I found her work profoundly inspiring, and its influence has only deepened with my experience. Later, I was fortunate enough to meet Julianna in person – as one of those ‘walking books’ – at conferences, and subsequently to develop alongside her as a fellow academic-practitioner within the global family of drama educators.

One of my most memorable encounters with Julianna was in 2004, when she co-organised the Ottawa IDEA Congress with Carole Miller. Despite the packed schedule of the conference, Julianna and Carole made sure to carve out time for us – the organisers of the next Congress – to share their experiences and ensure a smooth transition of knowledge and wisdom. A few months later, our team received a meticulously detailed set of notes, a comprehensive guide documenting the administrative and academic organisation of the conference. This gesture was a true reflection of Julianna’s thoughtful spirit, her generosity in mentoring younger and less experienced colleagues, and her unwavering commitment to excellence and thoroughness in all her work.

Julianna’s tallness was both literal and symbolic. She stood out not only for her height but for the way she inspired us to aim higher and see further in our work. It’s sad to see the seminal writers who shaped our field gradually leaving us as our field evolves, reminding us to cherish the wisdom and presence of those still with us.

Thank you, dear Julianna, for the extraordinary legacy you have left in our field. You have gifted us ‘many wonders’, and our minds will continue to wonder as we build on the knowledge and inspiration we gained from you. Rest well.