ANNA MARIA – The Island Players community theatre group lost a beloved director, actor and friend with the May 29 passing of Jim Thaggard at the age of 69.
On June 3, the following message was posted on Jim’s Facebook page.
“It is with great sadness that I am posting this message to announce Jim’s passing on May 29. We know Jim touched many lives and we hope you will join us to reminisce and honor his memory. A celebration of life memorial service is planned at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes 26th Street Chapel on Saturday, June 13, at 1 p.m.”
The Facebook message notes the N. James Thaggard Theatre Scholarship has been established in Jim’s honor for State College of Florida (SCF) theatre students.
Thaggard was long affiliated with the Island Players as an actor and as a director. He served as the director for the final production of the 2025-26 season, the political comedy, “The Outsider.” But before rehearsals were completed, Jim had to step down for medical reasons and Mike Lusk stepped in as director.
During the 2024-25 theater season, Thaggard starred as playwright Edward Bennett in “Death by Design,” and he directed the comedic drama, “Grace & Glorie.”
“James touched the lives of so many of us through his amazing talent and incredible work on our stage and his presence will be deeply missed,” Island Players’ Executive Director Sylvia Marnie said. “We are grateful for the time we had with him and for everything he brought to our theatre family for the past 30 years.”
Island Players actor and director Preston Boyd and his wife, stage manager Priscilla Boyd, collectively said, “The self-appointed ‘Mayor’ of the Sarasota/Manatee theatre community, Jim Thaggard, was the master of ‘Grandiloquence.’ His humor (dark and cynical as needed), stage presence and precise timing made it clear that the stage was his true home. Beneath the glitter, he was intelligent, reliable, generous and kind. Talented in so many ways. Forty years as a friend and collaborator. ‘Goodnight, Sweet Prince.’”
Island Players President Denise Handley said, “As president of the Island Players, it is with sadness that we announce the passing of James Thaggard. For many years, he has been part of our family, as an actor, director and helping wherever he could. It was a testament to his fine work that the last play he directed, ‘The Outsider,’ was received so well by all who saw it.”
Box Office Manager Peggy Faarup said, “The Island Players box office staff – Barbara, Connie and Laura – are saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. We have worked with him on many shows over the years and we will miss his presence and his wit.”
Thaggard directed Jennifer Kwiatkowski in “Grace & Glorie” and their friendship extended beyond the theater confines.
“I had the pleasure of working with Jim and I will always be grateful for his friendship and his faith in me as an actress. Jim usually cast me in comedic roles, but in “Grace & Glorie” he challenged me with something entirely different. With his direction, insight and trademark sense of humor, he helped me bring to life a much more serious role than I had ever attempted before. He knew exactly when to push and when to lighten the mood with a laugh,” Kwiatkowski said.
“Jim had a remarkable gift for bringing out the best in actors. He stretched me farther than I thought I could go as an actress. His talent, wit and unwavering dedication to community theater touched so many lives. I will miss him like crazy,” Kwiatkowski said.
Related coverage: Island Players commit ‘Death by Design’
