Contributions to the tribute of James Albert Hobbs

P

PERRY T. Schwartz and Ellen Mansueto planted 3 trees in memory of James Hobbs

Sunday, April 25, 2021

3 trees were planted in memory of
James Albert Hobbs

He lived a full life with great gusto. He was Jim Albert Hobbs. The iconoclastic performer Alberti of The Alberti Flea Circus. Warmest condolences. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree

B

Brian Elmer posted a condolence

Thursday, June 6, 2024

Jim was my lightning design instructor from 1983-1987. I was a stage management major but Jim allowed my to take lighting classes with lighting design majors. I learned so much about lighting from Jim. Even though I was not a lighting design major he never treated me differently than his other students. I am so appreciative of that! Jim also took the time to know me as a person. He invited me into his home and answered the myriad of questions I continually had. Jim, you will be missed!

A

Ann Overton posted a condolence

Sunday, March 12, 2023

I understood that Jim had a deep interest in theater lighting when he told me that when he was in the army, late at night, he would set up small figures (maybe toy soldiers?) and shine a flash light wrapped in a translucent scarf. He would change different colored scarves to get different effects. He was gutsy in his own way. One time, because he hadn’t paid his parking tickets, the police towed his car to a police lot. His car was locked up! He saw this as unfair because he hadn’t harmed any people or damaged any property. From the window in his Georgetown loft he could look out and see the police station and its car lot with his car in it. After a while he noticed that at lunchtime there were no guards at the lot. Also the gate was open. He grabbed his car keys, went across the street, got into his car, and drove it out of DC (to either Maryland or Virginia). He then carefully wiped off the steering wheel and headed home. He just wanted to liberate his car. Jim was a wonderful guy. I’m very lucky to have known him.

E

Erin posted a condolence

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

I met Jim when I was a 20 something year old back in 2000. I ran off to the AZ Renn Faire after finishing college from NY. I was totally out of my element. Jim and I became fast friends, because he was miserable at that show :). I accompanied him on some punch and judy shows at local schools, We went for drives during the week to see some AZ sites. His pup Toby and I were buddies and kept me from being homesick. I learned some magic, the svengali deck, how to balance anything, he tried to teach me to juggle....he helped me to learn how to eat fire. It was an adventure of a lifetime. I'm so sad to hear of his passing. I tried to keep up with him and the flea circus online. For a while I communicated with Barbara. Darryl, he spoke of you often, hoping you would find your path, I'm happy it seems you did. I am a program director of a big brothers big sisters mentoring agency in PA these days and following a dream as an art Gallery owner. RIP my desert friend. Best to you. Erin

P

Perry T. Schwartz posted a condolence

Sunday, April 25, 2021

Jim worked with me as a lighting and occasionally set designer on more theatre productions than I can remember. I was the producer/director. He was a joy to work with. When we first worked together he had a little small theatre in his loft in Georgetown. I think it seated at most 20 people. That may have been where the “Alberti Flea Circus” was born. I eventually made a video of a production of same with a live audience. That little performance space had these small wooden folding chairs. He gave me four when he and wife Barbara moved to Virginia. He was a great friend. I still have the chairs and they are as uncomfortable as ever but I would never give them away because they came from Hobbs. The move to North Carolina to teach at the school for the arts sadly got us too far apart to stay in close touch. I saw he and Barbara last about ten years ago when they came to see a play I directed. They were always supportive of my work for which I will forever be great full. Rest In Peace old friend. Your memory lives on with me. Perry T. Schwartz

E

Ellen Mansueto posted a condolence

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Jim was a Renaissance man, a raconteur and a marvelous designer. I worked with Jim on several productions in the DC area and was inspired by his creativity and entertained by his sly wit. I know you'll all miss him terribly. Jim spoke so fondly of you, Darryl, and the great good fortune that brought you into his life. May it not be long before your grief at his loss is overtaken with the good memories of Jim - and Barbara, too.

M

Matthew Benjamin uploaded photo(s)

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

I consider myself very, very lucky to have studied lighting design with Jim at NCSA from '83-87. There were absolutely times that Jim confused me, and, yes, annoyed me by not giving me the answer I wanted or thought I needed. Now, as a college professor of lighting design for 30 years, I get it. Completely. Jim never allowed me to take the easy way out. He never gave me an answer that he knew I was capable of figuring out on my own. I think of Jim often as I continue my journey as a teacher and mentor. He helped me figure out how to function as an adult, and to do so by myself. I only hope that I "confuse and annoy" my students in the same manner, and that, down the road, they also "get it". :-) All the best to Jim's family and friends. The photo that I shared is one that I took of Jim (as he was about to take a photo of me) on my last day of classes in May or June of 1987.

J

The family of James Albert Hobbs uploaded a photo

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

James Albert Hobbs

1939 - 2020

Plant a tree in memory of James

Our Location

HOME | ABOUT US | AT-NEED | PRE-NEED | RESOURCES | OBITUARIES & TRIBUTES

Experience the compassionate care of Affordable Cremations of Winston Salem.