John LeBret, 42, of Baton Rouge, La., passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at Baton Rouge General Hospital surrounded by family and close friends. He taught in the Communication Studies Department at Louisiana State University, where he also managed the HopKins Black Box Theatre.

John was born in Yuma, Ariz., and spent his early years in Oregon and Washington. He attended college at Eastern Washington University and lived in Seattle before he moved to Albany, N.Y., to finish his B.A. and earn his M.A. from SUNY Albany. He spent many years in upstate New York before moving to Louisiana to begin his career as a performance studies scholar. John earned his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University in 2011.

John directed, performed in and collaborated on many extraordinary performances in the HopKins Black Box Theatre, hanging lights, painting, building and keeping the space running efficiently for LSU students, faculty and guest artists-in-residence. Recently, he developed a popular course called “Puppets and Props” designed to teach communication theories and philosophies via puppet manipulation. The course was featured on NBC33.

John worked with many of these students to create what would be his final performance, “On a Snowy Evening,” which celebrated the winter/holiday season. He was an inspiring teacher and creative force whose legacy will endure in the hearts and minds of the LSU community.

Two memorial services are being planned: one in the HopKins Black Box and another in John’s home state, Washington.

John is survived by his mother, Becky Spraitzar, of Oak Harbor.; father, Norman LeBret, of Loon Lake, Wash.; brothers Caleb LeBret, of Anacortes, and Zack LeBret, of Seattle; and many close friends and family.