It is with sadness and sorrow that we, the Humboldt Department of Theatre, Film, and Dance, announce that Jayson Mohatt, our Technical Director and colleague, has passed. 

For many years, Jayson has been an invaluable artisan, educator, and presence in the department.
Jayson will be greatly missed by students, faculty and staff.

“Jayson was generous, wry and so knowledgeable on a variety of topics. There are so many stories, because we go back to 1992. Between CenterArts and Humboldt, he was my boss for 18 years and remains the best boss ever. Debra, Pablo, Ray S. and I would gather in his office before the work day began. He was a raconteur, so there was always a story or tidbit for him to share. I especially appreciated his midwestern phrases such as: “He ran out of there like a scalded dog,” or “She felt lower than a worm’s belly in a wagon rut.” He was our gentleman cowboy. When it was ready to begin work, he would gently indicate with his arm to enter the scene shop and say “Shall we?” If anyone struggled with a task or a tool he would sidle up and say “May I?” which meant, here is another possibility or a better tool. He was all about learning, never about belittling. The students and I learned so much from him and the only requirement to be a Scene Shop participant was to have a “good attitude.” He brought joy to work and it was contagious even on the tough days. I am devastated that he is gone but ever so grateful that he was not just my boss but a dear, dear friend. Cheers to Jay-mo!” -- Meeka Day

“I first met Jayson in the 90’s when he was the Technical Director for CenterArts, where he taught me a remarkable amount about lighting and theatre craft, always with humor and patience (and even gave me the confidence to walk across the lighting grid that was 50 feet in the air!). What I’ll remember most is how he made time to really get to know the students, asked them about themselves, and had such patience in teaching them how to create things, with a genuine interest in their understanding and learning. Students loved to work in the Scene Shop with him, and have often asked me how they can spend more time in there. His legacy of knowledge, sense of humor, amusing stories, and “Jaysonisms” (Jayson-particular exclamations and one-of-a kind sayings) are unforgettable. He will be greatly missed by many.” -- Emma Lubin

“Jayson wasn’t just a great mentor to his students. He was a friend to them. There was not an at work Jayson and an off work Jayson, he was always authentic and honest. You always knew where you stood with him. The greatest example of cowboy chivalry in my lifetime. Students loved being in the shop with him and I loved going to work everyday and seeing him first thing to get coffee and plan our day. Hundreds of kids came under his supervision to build fantastic and beautiful scenery. Saws, air compressors, hammers and all other sorts of dangerous toys and not one serious injury. He loved his job, he loved his life, we spoke of its finiteness often. He knew to milk life for what he could. Sailing, fishing, gardening, horseback riding, construction. He appreciated all of us. I feel extremely fortunate for the time I got to spend with him.”
“Funny side note story on that photo above: Santiago lost his sweater in the theater and had been looking for it and was stressed out about losing his favorite sweater. I found it one morning in the lighting gallery. I told Jayson the story and we quickly concocted a staged photo pretending that Jayson was walking in with his new sweater! I sent it to Santi and we all had a good laugh. I love the mischievous smile on Jayson’s face.”
“Drink to Jayson Mohatt. I’ll never forget him and everything he taught me.” -- Pablo Midence

“For whatever reason, Jayson felt like a father to me. I cherished his kindness and helpfulness above all... and of course his sense of humor. At this moment I cannot fathom our department without him. He will be forever in my heart.” -- Linda Maxwell

“One year for the Ashland, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, trip we had a ticket become available at the last minute. Debra and I were able to talk Jayson into coming along. He drove his Mercedes with two of our native Spanish speaking students and they had a great time traveling up the coast with him. It was such fun to share the love and experience of theatre away from Humboldt, and the students really enjoyed the opportunity to interact with Jayson outside the workplace. I knew Jayson when he was a graduate student and had the experience later of working with him as a colleague. He was of tremendous value to the students, our department and the Humboldt County theatre scene. My heart goes out to his family and all the people his talent and kind spirit have touched.” -- Catherine Brown

“I appreciate Jayson’s sense of humor, which would sneak up and surprise me. Last week we were on a conference call to plan the process of taking down the Treasure Island set to store for future use. There was a lightness in Jayson’s comments and a spontaneity in his comments that made us all laugh. I like to remember this moment and the relaxed state that Jayson was in.” -- Ann Alter

“Jayson was a giant force of nature and I will always treasure our time in Eugene on tour with Evil Dead the Musical. We never got to sit and have a beer until that trip and I would love to have had another chance. Jayson was one of the first people I met at Humboldt, most likely the morning of my tour at Debra’s desk with coffee in hand, and it will be hard to walk into the scene shop and not see him there. Or better still when I’d walk up to the shop and he’d bring out a bag of chanterelles from his place to share because he knew I loved them. My heart goes out to Star and their kids and family. He will be missed by many.” -- Rae Robison

“Jayson cared deeply about helping the students look amazing on opening night. He truly wanted to make their hard work shine. He also remained particularly dedicated to providing special learning opportunities to students no matter their academic major; TA 106 students often lauded their Scene Shop experience. Jayson could always be counted on to engineer new solutions to technical snags such as the hefty turntable in Fantastic Mr. Fox, the sudden vanishing of the parachute in Jungalbook, and the fussy banner drop at the end of Dreamers: Aquí y Allá. He was also the unofficial audience development specialist of the theatre program – building community partners and getting them inside the theatre.
Thank you, sir.” -- Troy Lescher

“I am shocked and saddened by Jayson’s passing, and so very sad for his family and for our students.  For around 30 years, he was a supporter of Mexican folk dance, having gone on tour with a group from Veracruz, Mexico that he later helped us bring to Humboldt for a concert and master classes. I always appreciated his quiet but dependable support and his dry sense of humor. His can-do attitude and immense expertise made many a project happen successfully, rather than getting caught up in red tape. I most appreciate and will remember Jayson for his complete lack of pretense and the gusto with which he enjoyed life. We have lost a most special man.” -- Anonymous