The spring musical, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” marked an important milestone for its director, Alumni Relations head Laura Lang.  The show marked Lang’s 20th show directed at JC.

Although Lang is associated with her partners-in-crime Kim Brueggemann and Larry Hensley, she has been directing and involved with the JC theatre department long before either arrived.  Lang, a former performer herself, has always loved theater.

Before the Saturday night show, Brueggemann honored Lang with a signed photo of the cast of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”

“I’m very happy and excited for Ms. Lang’s huge accomplishment. I don’t believe people have a total understanding of the hard work, dedication and passion that goes into producing our JC musicals. Celebrating Ms. Lang’s 20 years is most deserved,” Brueggemann said.

Numerous theater alumni from Lang’s 20 years of productions attended the Saturday show. The alumni were contacted and asked to come and support their past director. “She has literally impacted hundreds of student’s lives,”  Brueggemann said.

Alumni and friends of Lang threw a cocktail party in the Brown Room to honor her.

Chelsea Baumgardner, class of ’09, attended the celebration for Mrs. Lang.  Baumgardner was close to Lang, as she participated in all of the shows during her entire high school career.

“During play practice, we would run out and get dinner, and we really bonded,” Baumgardner said.

Baumgardner was excited to have the opportunity to come back to honor Lang. “[The celebration] went really well.  She was very surprised and I was happy to be able to come back and support her,” Baumgardner said.

Lang was also thrilled to see all of her former students.  “I was so moved by everyone’s attendance. [It was] so great to see faces that brought so much joy to my life.  I am blessed to be able to do something I love in a place that I love,” Lang said.

“I guess when you truly love something time seems to just fly by,” Lang said.

Rachel Dinsmore is a Reporter for “The Patriot” and jcpatriot.com.